L. Peyton Chapman, III

Since joining the firm in 1996, Mr. Chapman’s practice has focused on the litigation and trial of complex matters including claims of medical malpractice, products liability, fraud, hospital medical staff issues, and toxic torts.

Mr. Chapman has successfully defended individual and corporate healthcare providers as well as manufacturers, insurance companies, and other corporate entities. He has significant experience trying complex and high-exposure matters in various state and federal courts, and typically tries numerous such cases per year. He has successfully tried to defense verdict cases involving claims of wrongful death, paralysis, brain injury, and similar issues.

Mr. Chapman frequently handles matters that are resolved through alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration as well as appeals relating to interlocutory and post-trial review. He has defended mass torts and successfully contested class certification before the Alabama Supreme Court in a toxic tort matter. Mr. Chapman also handles administrative matters involving state and federal agencies, quasi-governmental agencies, and professional licensure boards.

Recent Practice Highlights

Obtained defense verdict on behalf of hospital in medical malpractice / wrongful death case involving claims relating to a fall causing a hip fracture, pressure sores, and an alleged catheter-associated urinary tract infection

Obtained defense verdict on behalf of hospital in case involving elderly patient who allegedly developed debilitating pressure sores to her heels during recovery from surgery for a hip fracture

Obtained defense verdict in favor of hospital and nurse in medical malpractice/wrongful death case involving patient who died after being treated in the hospital’s emergency department for an allergic reaction

Obtained defense verdict in favor of family practice physician in medical malpractice/wrongful death case involving a patient alleged to have aspirated barium during an attempted upper GI study with small bowel follow through

Obtained judgment as matter of law at trial in favor of hospital in medical malpractice/wrongful death case

Obtained defense verdict in favor of a cardiac electrophysiologist in medical malpractice case involving the evaluation of a patient for cardiac arrhythmia following a syncopal episode

Obtained defense verdict in favor of internist in a medical malpractice/wrongful death case involving the treatment of nursing home patient who suffered from recurrent Clostridium difficile colitis that ultimately caused toxic megacolon, sepsis, and death

Alabama Supreme Court decertified class action against hospital client in case involving fungal contamination of saline breast implants implanted at hospital-owned outpatient surgery center

Obtained defense verdict in favor of cardiologist in medical malpractice/wrongful death case involving sudden cardiac death immediately following stress electrocardiogram testing

Obtained defense verdict in favor of cardiothoracic surgeon in medical malpractice case involving paralysis allegedly due to use of absorbable hemostat product in performing pneumonectomy procedure

Obtained defense verdict on behalf of local hospital in premises liability case

Achieved defense judgment at trial in favor of a local hospital where the trial court found that the plaintiff failed to meet his burden of proof

Presentations

Mr. Chapman is frequently called upon to speak to groups of physicians and healthcare risk managers regarding medical risk management and defense issues.

Honors and Awards

The Best Lawyers in America® has chosen Mr. Chapman for inclusion in the 2020 edition for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants. He has been listed in this publication since 2010.

Mr. Chapman has been AV peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell and was senior editor of the Alabama Law Review while studying at University of Alabama School of Law.  He was selected as a Super Lawyer in Alabama Super Lawyers.

Additionally, Mr. Chapman is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Memberships are by invitation only after a rigorous nomination and voting process.

Community Involvement

Mr. Chapman is a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church.  He also serves as Co-Chairman of Washington & Lee University’s Alumni Admissions Program for the Montgomery area.

• Healthcare and Medical Liability
• Professional Liability and Licensure Matters
• Insurance Defense and Coverage Law
• Products Liability
• Commercial, Complex, and Class Action Litigation

• B.A., Washington & Lee University, 1992
• J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 1996
• Senior editor of the Alabama Law Review

• Alabama State Bar
• Montgomery County Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
• Defense Research Institute (DRI)
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• Alabama Nursing Home Association Defense Lawyers Group

• Alabama Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama