Peter W. Pryor
Biography
A truly unique attorney with a rare renaissance quality, Peter could not bring himself to prepare the typical “biography.” Rather, Peter would like to post the following ad:
Mature, responsible attorney looking for a few good clients. Me - charming, gregarious trial lawyer with approximately 250 jury trials in my career involving commercial, transactional, employment, environment, product liability and tort cases. Repeatedly recognized by peers in Best Lawyers in America. Member, International Society of Barristers. Enjoys family (beautiful wife and six grown sons), cooking, movies, rock music, bicycling, working out, traveling, entertaining, finding quaint restaurants and my two dogs who insist on twice daily marathon walks.You - communicative, involved client who wants a fearless, skilled, professional, ethical and absolutely dedicated warrior who likes nothing better than trying cases (but has the wisdom to know when not to).
Verdicts
Court
Denver District Court
Client
Vascular Surgeon
Issues
In this wrongful death case, a 51 year old male underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery for relief of chronic pain in the left upper extremity. The patient died on the operating table during an attempt to drain an infected lymph collection in the neck and an infected pleural effusion.
The patient suffered a massive hemorrhage due to unexpected movement of the subclavian artery and subclavian vein from their positions in the first operation. Despite appropriate resuscitative efforts, the patient suffered anoxic brain injury and was eventually taken off of life support.
The two grown sons of the deceased claimed approximately 4 million dollars in lost business opportunities due to the death of their father. Mr. Pryor and Mr. Ahearn established that the surgeon's misidentification of the artery and vein, while an admitted mistake, was not substandard. After eight days of evidence, the jury returned a verdict for the surgeon after 20 minutes of deliberation.
Court
Denver District Court
Client
Neurosurgeon
Issues
This very complicated brain surgery case involved surgical approaches to the vestibular nerve through the posterior fossa. Plaintiffs claimed that the neurosurgeon negligently operated in the wrong region of the brain, causing a myriad of complex neurologic and psychologic problems. X-rays, medical records, diagrams, surveillance video, and three-dimensional imagery supported the conclusion that the physician’s care was appropriate. Given the allegations and potential damages, Pryor Johnson Carney Karr Nixon’s advocacy protected the neurosurgeon from tremendous personal exposure.
