Noelle K. Sheehan

Long-Term Care Facilities and Nursing Homes
Noelle represents owners and operators of long-term care facilities, assisted-living facilities and nursing homes throughout Florida in lawsuits involving allegations of medical negligence, corporate negligence, administrative negligence, inadequate staffing, wrongful death and statutory violations of residents’ rights. She has developed successful strategies to position these cases substantively and procedurally for the best possible resolution. Noelle is knowledgeable in state and federal regulations regarding long-term care facilities. Nursing home litigation, fueled by the relative absence of caps and the awarding of outsized punitive damages, has increased dramatically over the past few years. Intimately familiar with related state and federal regulations, Noelle defends nursing home malpractice claims through all phases of litigation. She also implements carefully crafted strategies that are designed to limit or avoid punitive damages available to plaintiffs under statute.

Medical Malpractice
Noelle focuses on the defense of physicians and hospitals in medical malpractice cases arising in all areas of medical specialty. Her knowledge in defending medical malpractice claims coupled with the firm’s heritage and continued strength in insurance defense attracts a growing clientele. To mount more effective defenses, Noelle consults medical experts from several of the nation’s most respected institutions, including surgeons and professors from leading teaching hospitals and authorities from the National Institutes of Health. She knows that the best way to counter medical malpractice lawsuits is to prevent their occurrence. She recognizes when medical practice and facility operations can be modified to reduce the risk of professional liability claims, and consults in those areas.

General Liability
Upon receipt of a claim, Noelle formulates a plan designed to determine likely exposure, identify resolution options and ultimately conclude in outcomes that adhere to prescribed guidelines. She knows that her clients prefer quick and cost-effective resolutions to complex and potentially protracted liability cases and that “shelf life” is as important as any other substantive issue in handling files. Noelle accelerates turnaround through procedural dismissals, substantive dismissals, successful tenders and negotiated settlements.

Cannabis
Noelle advises medical professionals within the legalized cannabis industry and organizations outside the industry impacted by the rapidly evolving state and federal regulatory landscape. She also advises employers on cannabis coverage under state benefits, accommodation of medical marijuana and the legalities of medical marijuana. 

Complex Tort
Upon gaining a thorough understanding of a client’s specific requirements and areas of potential exposure, Noelle helps the client understand their risk profile and potential liability exposure. As appropriate, she assists in the development of company policies, contracts, site modifications or processes designed to reduce risk and liability exposure. 

Product Liability
Noelle defends manufacturers, distributors and retailers in complex product liability litigation against allegations of defective product design, defective manufacturing, inadequate warnings and strict liability. She has obtained a voluntary dismissal with prejudice at mediation. Noelle works closely with clients to identify potential risks involved in product use and addresses product safety and liability prevention issues as they arise. She reviews and consults on product warnings, introductions and manuals. 

Construction
Noelle actively defends contractors and subcontractors in construction defect matters. She also represents companies against allegations of liability involving catastrophic bodily injury and death, ordinance and zoning violations, and statutory violations. 

Negligent Security
When an incident occurs related to negligent security, Noelle conducts an on-site investigation and works with management to preserve documentary evidence. She also conducts fact witness interviews and works with third-party entities and others to obtain evidence. Noelle performs a thorough claims assessment to seek dismissal of weak elements and concentrate her defense on the more serious allegations.

Artificial Intelligence
Noelle keeps abreast of AI-based technologies as they enter uncharted territory. She works with the various practices at Wilson Elser as they refine services to suit clients’ changing needs, from the software they want to the security they need. She helps develop and execute business models that minimize risk and provide for immediate and appropriate action should technologies be compromised.