Injury Pros Podcast

Inside Medical Malpractice Cases with Steven Medina and Michael Saile

A bad surgical outcome isn't always malpractice... so what is? In this episode of The Injury Pros Podcast, host Michael Saile of Cordisco & Saile sits down with Steven Medina, co-founder of Philadelphia-based Medina Morgan, for a candid look inside one of the most complex areas of personal injury law: medical malpractice. Steven, a former defense attorney turned plaintiff's lawyer licensed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, breaks down how his firm evaluates potential claims, why "opportunity" is the key concept he looks for in every medical record, and how mismanaged post-operative infections become some of the most viable cases his firm handles. You'll also learn: * What patients and families should do BEFORE calling a malpractice lawyer (hint: download your records from the patient portal — especially if a loved one is critically ill) * Why every med mal case requires a medical expert — and what Certificates of Merit (PA) and Affidavits of Merit (NJ) actually require * The true cost of litigating these cases (a rule of thumb: roughly 10% of case value goes to experts) * Why hospitals often wait until the courthouse steps to settle — and how patience turned a $1.5M offer into nearly $3M for one client * Why there's no age cutoff for clients, and how an 85-year-old's life story shapes case value * When high-volume firms should refer catastrophic med mal cases out Whether you've experienced a poor medical outcome, are caring for a loved one harmed by negligent care, or you're a lawyer considering a med mal referral, this episode is a practical roadmap to how these cases really work.

The Shift From Defense to Plaintiff: Legal Lessons From Both Sides with Joseph Lavin & Michael Saile

In this episode, host Michael Saile welcomes the newest attorney at Cordisco & Saile, Joseph Lavin. The two discuss Joe's background, his shift from defense work to plaintiff injury law, and the practical advice every injured client should hear. Meet Joseph Lavin A lifelong Bucks County resident, Joe grew up in Bensalem before moving to Newtown at age eight. He graduated from Council Rock High School North in 2004, earned his undergraduate degree at Penn State, and received his law degree from Hofstra University in 2011. Inspired early on by legal dramas and a salutatorian speech that sparked his love of public speaking, Joe knew from a young age he wanted to be a trial attorney. After starting his career on the plaintiff side in Philadelphia, Joe spent roughly eight and a half years as in-house counsel for a major auto insurance carrier, handling 75 to 100 defense cases at a time. That deep experience inside the insurance industry is exactly what he now brings back to injured clients at Cordisco & Saile. Why Joe's Defense Background Matters Joe knows how insurance companies think, how adjusters evaluate claims, and how defense attorneys cross-examine plaintiffs. That insider knowledge helps him prepare clients for every stage of a case and anticipate the defense's next move before it happens. Practical Advice for Injured Clients The bulk of the episode delivers straightforward guidance for anyone pursuing an injury claim: Take your claim seriously. If you don't, no one else will. Document everything. If your pain isn't written down by your doctors, it effectively didn't happen in the eyes of the insurance company. Avoid gaps in treatment. Defense attorneys exploit missed appointments as proof you weren't really hurt. Be honest. The bigger risk isn't exaggeration; it's seriously injured clients downplaying their pain out of habit and having that documented. Be careful on social media. Insurance investigators routinely look for photos and posts they can take out of context. Stay consistent. From the police report through trial, your story must stay the same. Defense attorneys win by painting small inconsistencies as big problems. A Litigation-First Firm Michael closes by reinforcing what sets Cordisco & Saile apart. It's a true litigation firm, with numbers showing up to 40% more value on cases once they're litigated. Insurance companies know the firm won't hesitate to go to trial, and Joe's defense-side experience now sharpens that edge for every client. Welcome to the team, Joe. Expect to hear much more from him on future episodes of The Injury Pros Podcast.

From Tragedy to Purpose: The Story of Sean Hughes with Kristi Hughes and Michael Saile

In this deeply moving episode of the Injury Pros Podcast, Michael Saile sits down with Kristi Hughes to share the story of her husband Sean Hughes, a beloved principal, educator, and leader in the Philadelphia region, who was killed in a tragic crash in 2021. Kristi courageously reflects on the life they built together, the unimaginable day that changed everything, how her family has carried Sean’s legacy forward, and why understanding your insurance coverage before a tragedy happens can make a lasting difference. Her story is heartbreaking, honest, and ultimately meant to help others prepare, protect their families, and take action. We are incredibly grateful to Kristi for joining us and for so generously sharing such a personal story. Her strength, transparency, and purpose in helping others is extraordinary, and we hope listeners are impacted by her message. We would also like to share information on The Sean Hughes Memorial Fund, which was created to honor the life and legacy of Sean Hughes, beloved principal of Lower Merion High School. The fund supports initiatives that reflect Sean’s lasting impact, including a 25-year “Character Counts” scholarship - especially for students who have lost a parent-and the development of a memorial plaza and outdoor amphitheater on campus. These spaces are designed to inspire learning, connection, and community, continuing Sean’s commitment to innovation, inclusion, and student growth. To learn more or support the fund, visit: https://www.lmsd.org/hughesmemorial [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUxHOU9GWmNYYW1FQnBNcEtyYS1JMWhPekxqUXxBQ3Jtc0tsSVZkdEFuRXRORHFkR1VlZzlGUnpXdkFCRnNBMnZYU0VTOWR0OC1OcXVCcDA4U2FXYmhDeV9FUlk3eGZoNWEyTzlJV244alR1MEhVT1ZsT3N4T2R5QmFhcHNLaEJva1lzNnhObXk2WDNxMV9VUHk4Yw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lmsd.org%2Fhughesmemorial&v=i5YsVlWUwo0] To learn more about Cordisco & Saile visit https://cordiscosaile.com

Speaking Up to Create Change: Inside Sexual Abuse Litigation with Cindy Morgan & Michael Saile

In this episode of the Injury Pros Podcast, host Michael Saile of Cordisco & Saile Injury Law Firm sits down with Cindy Morgan, co-founder of Medina Morgan — a boutique catastrophic personal injury firm based in Center City Philadelphia. Cindy brings a unique background to civil litigation: a Temple Law graduate who went straight from insurance defense work to the Philadelphia District Attorney's office before transitioning to plaintiff-side civil litigation specializing in institutional sexual abuse cases. Cindy and Mike dig into what it really means to hold institutions — schools, churches, sports organizations, hospitals — legally accountable when they fail to protect survivors of sexual abuse. Cindy explains the critical difference between criminal prosecution (which targets the individual offender) and civil litigation (which targets the institution that enabled or ignored the abuse). She walks through how her firm investigates cases, builds notice evidence, uses expert witnesses, and balances aggressive litigation with protecting clients from further trauma. The conversation also covers Pennsylvania's long-awaited "look back window" legislation — a proposed law that would give adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse a two-year window to file claims regardless of when the abuse occurred, similar to laws already passed in New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. Cindy urges survivors not to wait, as a free consultation can determine whether a claim already exists under current law. Whether you're a survivor, a concerned parent, or just someone who wants to understand how the civil justice system creates real change, this episode is a must-watch. 📞 Contact Cindy Morgan at Medina Morgan: 🌐 Website: medinamorgan.com 📧 Email: cmorgan@medinamorgan.com [cmorgan@medinamorgan.com] 📱 Call/Text: 856-266-2933

More Than Cases: Why Relationships Matter in Law with Javier Gonzalez and Michael Saile

In this episode of The Injury Pros Podcast, host Michael Saile, Managing Partner at injury law firm Cordisco & Saile, sits down with trial attorney Javier Gonzalez to discuss his journey into the legal profession and his transition into personal injury law. Javier shares how a mentor in college inspired him to pursue law, what it was like being the first attorney in his family, and how his early experience as a judicial clerk and prosecutor shaped his approach to litigation. The conversation dives into the transferable skills between criminal and civil practice, including investigation, trial preparation, and client communication. Most importantly, Javier explains why client relationships and service are at the core of his practice and how those values align with the firm’s mission. This episode offers valuable insight for young attorneys and anyone interested in what it takes to build a meaningful career in injury law. Learn more at https://cordiscosaile.com Learn more about Javier Gonzalez: https://www.cordiscosaile.com/our-team/javier-gonzalez/ Learn more about Michael Saile: https://www.cordiscosaile.com/our-team/michael-l-saile-jr/