Michael Henrick is an experienced trial lawyer, with a practice focused on issues involving personal injury, professional liability, wrongful death and health care.

In December 2009, Mr. Henrick obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a colorectal surgeon who was sued by the family of a deceased patient who suffered a leak of an anastomosis created after the defendant doctor performed a colon resection for colon cancer.

In July 2009, Mr. Henrick obtained a defense verdict on behalf of an ophthalmologist who treated a 20-year-old for a paintball injury to the eye. Two subsequent treating retinal specialists claimed the ophthalmologist was negligent in not immediately referring the patient to them. Mr. Henrick established that the standard of care did not require immediate referral and the original injury was the sole proximate cause of the vision loss.

In April 2007 Mr. Henrick obtained a defense verdict on behalf of his clients following an eight-day jury trial in Lake County, Illinois. The claim alleged medical malpractice during the administration of anesthesia in connection with surgery, causing asphyxiation and the death of a forty-eight year-old woman. The surviving spouse, who is legally blind, and the four minor children filed suit against the anesthesiologist, the surgeon, and the circulating nurse, along with their respective principles. Mr. Henrick represented the nurse and the hospital where the surgery was performed. They, along with the surgeon, obtained a verdict of not guilty. The jury returned a verdict against the anesthesiologist for $6 million. Shortly prior thereto, the anesthesiologist entered into a high-low agreement, capping his damages at $4 million. Mr. Henrick joined Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in September 1974. In 2003, he was inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers.

He has been recognized by his peers as a Leading Lawyer in the category of Personal Injury Defense Law in the areas of Professional Malpractice and General. In addition, Mr. Henrick holds the AV® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for ethics and legal ability.

Mr. Henrick has been named many times to the Super Lawyer list in the area of Personal Injury Defense: Medical Malpractice by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine. He has also been included a number of times the area of Health Care Law.

Mr. Henrick's numerous professional affiliations include the American Society of Law and Medicine, Defense Research Institute, Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, Illinois Association of Hospital Attorneys, Illinois State Bar Association, International Association of Defense Counsel, Jefferson American Inn of Court, Lake County Bar Association, State Bar of Wisconsin, Trial Lawyers Club of Chicago, the Society of Trial Lawyers and the American College of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Henrick has spoken on a variety of legal topics before client and firm groups, including:

• “Jury Selection,” in-house presentation, Medical Malpractice Specialty Group meeting, Chicago, Illinois, November 2009.
• “Examination and Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses,” Hinshaw’s Trial Advocacy Program, Chicago, Illinois, April 2008.
• “Surgical and Anesthesia Claims,” Illinois Providers Trust, Naperville, Illinois, June 2007.
• “Attorney Training & Orientation Program,” Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Chicago, Illinois, April 2002.
• “Examination and Treatment for Emergency Medical Conditions and Women in Labor Act and Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act,” Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company, Oak Brook, Illinois, March 2002.
• “Risk Management for the Eye MD and Its Impact on the Patient,” Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company, Oak Brook, Illinois, March 2001.
• “Communication Techniques for the Management of Adverse Outcomes,” Illinois Provider Trust, Libertyville, Illinois, October 2000.
• “Successfully Maneuvering the Legal Rapids,” Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company, Nationwide Audio conference, June 2000.
• “Legal Issues,” Association of Operating Room Nurses of Southeastern Wisconsin, October 1991.
• “From Subpoena to Trial: How Will You Perform?” Condell Memorial Hospital Nursing Personnel, March 1991.
• “Loss of Society in Death Cases: Raising the Stakes,” Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, What It Means To Be A Lake County Litigant, Waukegan, Illinois, June 1991.