Ms. Nelson graduated “cum laude” from the College of the Holy Cross in 1977 receiving her B.A. in psychology and education. Ms. Nelson continued her graduate education at Connecticut College as a teaching fellow, receiving her M.A. in experimental psychology in 1979. Ms. Nelson worked as a research associate at Butler Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island for one year, and then took a position in the Department of Psychiatry at John Dempsey Hospital/ University of Connecticut School of Medicine, as a research coordinator and psychometrist between 1980 and 1985. During this time period, Ms. Nelson worked with psychiatric patients and was involved in psychiatric and alcoholism research which led to numerous publications in peer reviewed journals.
Ms. Nelson received her J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1986, focusing on the interface between law, medicine and ethics. Ms. Nelson’s training, clinical experience in psychology and research brings a unique perspective and skill set to her practice. For 30 years Ms. Nelson’s practice has been devoted to defending health care practitioners in medical malpractice cases and administrative hearings. Prior to joining DANAHERLAGNESE, PC as a principal in 2012, Ms. Nelson had over 25 years of malpractice defense experience in private practice, first as a partner in a large law firm in Waterbury and then as a partner at O’Brien, Tanski & Young, LLP where she practiced between 1996 and 2012.
The majority of Ms. Nelson’s practice is devoted to representing health care practitioners in matters pending before the Connecticut Department of Public Health (“DPH”). Ms. Nelson has successfully represented over 200 health care practitioners (physicians, dentists, physician assistants, paramedics, nurses, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, and residents) in DPH investigations. Ms. Nelson is frequently retained by acute care and long term care institutions in connection with both institutional and individual practitioner investigations involving DPH. In representing practitioners in DPH matters, Ms. Nelson takes a proactive approach which has proven to be very successful. In addition, Ms. Nelson reviews practice patterns to proactively address risk management issues to avoid disciplinary action.
Ms. Nelson also represents physicians, dentists, nurses and hospitals in state and federal courts in medical malpractice cases and has litigated multiple jury cases to verdict with excellent success.
Ms. Nelson was appointed to the faculty of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in 1981, initially as an Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry, and beginning in 1986 as an Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor, in the Department of Community Medicine and Health Care. She has taught Health Regulation as part of the Masters in Public Health program and has been involved in the medico‐legal link rounds for OB/GYN residents. She has also been an Instructor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Hartford. Ms. Nelson has been an invited lecturer and speaker at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, a speaker at Connecticut Perinatal Association conferences, and also for numerous medical and dental organizations and hospitals on topics including risk management, medico‐legal issues, and obstetrical and reproductive issues.
Representative Cases
Martinelli v Fusi, 290 Conn. 347, 350 963.A.2d 640 (2009).
Maruca v. Standard, 19 Conn.App. 16, 559 A.2d 1167 (June 15, 1989).
Concern for Dying Amicus Curiae Brief for McConnell v. Beverly Enterprises, 209 Conn. 692, 553 A.2d 596 (1989) Filed September 29, 1988 with Giles Scofield.
