Karen Moske’s practice focuses on litigation and the defense of health care providers. She has assisted in the representation of health care providers in medical malpractice claims, negligence claims, statutory actions, breach of contract, and other litigation.

Before joining Heyl Royster, Karen practiced at a firm located in St. Louis, Missouri, concentrating on medical malpractice defense and hospital risk management. Karen also represented a local hospital in numerous guardianships and involuntary commitment hearings.

Karen attended law school at the University of Texas. Prior to that, Karen worked as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, working in both adult and neonatal intensive care units as well as with chronic and acute pulmonary patients. Karen’s experience working in a hospital setting gives her a unique perspective in representing health care providers.

• Lehmuth v. St. Anthony’s Medical Center St. Louis City Circuit Court, Cause No. 22032-01289, September 26, 2006 (second chair). Defense verdict in case brought under Missouri Wrongful Death Act, in which decedent’s family alleged defendants were negligent in their care and treatment of their elderly mother. The jury found in favor of all defendants.
• Lutheran Senior Services v. St. Anthony’s Medical Center 2007 WL 4413452, St. Louis County Circuit Court, August 29, 2007 (second chair). Defense verdict on claim for contribution. After a senior services facility settled an underlying medical malpractice case with the patient, it brought a contribution action against the hospital. Plaintiff claimed hospital’s employed physician and nurses were negligent in their care. Jury found plaintiff to be 100 percent at fault.
• Irvin v. Pike County Memorial Hospital No. 2:05CV00014, 2006 WL 2265282 (E.D. Mo. Aug. 7, 2006), successfully obtained summary judgment on portions of plaintiff’s complaint alleging violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). Plaintiff alleged defendant and its employed physician failed to provide an appropriate screening and stabilizing treatment. Federal Court agreed with defendant that plaintiff failed to establish plaintiff’s decedent was treated differently from other patients under similar circumstances.
• Marshall v. Mercantile Bancorporation, Inc. Cause No. 962-00963, St. Louis City Circuit Court, April 2, 1998, successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of defendant. Plaintiff alleged right to recover for stock options based on theories of promissory and equitable estoppel.
• Noreuil v. Peabody Coal Co. 96 F. 3d 254 (7th Cir. 1996) (on brief) District Court’s order granting summary judgment motion in employer’s favor on alleged violation of Age Discrimination in Employment Act affirmed on appeal.
• Wilkinson v. Allied American Insurance Co. 284 Ill. App. 3d 1155 (5th Dist. 1996), appeal from Madison County Case No. 94-E5C-1285; appeal of order granting default judgment against client, who initially was represented by other counsel. Fifth Appellate District reversed in part and remanded.
• Van Houten v. Perryville Family Care Center Cause No. 10PR-CC00018-01, July 19, 2012. Assisted with discovery, defendants’ depositions and experts. Plaintiff alleged injection caused problems. Defense experts testified that the nurse practitioner exercised the appropriate standard of care and that plaintiff’s injury was caused by a pre-existing condition. Defense verdict reported in Missouri Lawyers Weekly Verdicts and Settlements, Fall 2012.

• “Enterprise Liability Puts Managed Care Organizations at Risk,” National Law Journal (1997), Co-author
• “Discovery Issues for Integrated Delivery Systems,” Sixth Annual Symposium of Healthcare Attorneys and Risk Managers

• “Issues for Guardianship Hearings”
  St. Anthony’s Medical Center/Hyland
• “Legalities of Managed Care”
  Memorial Hospital Physician Network 1997

• The Missouri Bar Association (Health and Hospital Law Committee 1994-present)
• Illinois State Bar Association
• The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (Past Co-Chair Law Student Services Committee; Young Lawyers Section Social Committee (1995))
• St. Louis Area Health Lawyers Association
• St. Clair County Bar Association (Past Member)

• State of Missouri
• State of Illinois
• United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
• United States District Court, Southern District of Illinois
• United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

• Girl Scout Leader Troop 2775
• CFO Secretary for St. Frances Cabrini Academy
• Soulard Restoration Group, Member (Board Member 2002-2004)
• Member, St. Vincent DePaul Parish
• Past Member Belleville Economic Progress, Inc.
• Past Volunteer Attorney for Legal Advocates for Abused Women
• Past Participant in Pro Bono Project, Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc.