Roger Hillman

Of Counsel

Direct: 206.940.9662
Fax: 206.420.5369
Email: Rhillman@paramountlawgroup.com

Roger Hillman began his career as a litigator on the East Coast. After over ten years as Senior Vice President of Claims for three national insurance carriers, he resumed his litigation practice in the Northwest. Over the past twenty-five years, Roger has concentrated his practice on health care, insurance and aviation matters. In the health care arena, he has handled professional liability matters for a wide variety of providers: physicians, hospitals, psychologists, chiropractors, naturopaths, and acupuncturists. He has also resolved numerous disputes involving provider credentialing, Medicare and Medicaid audits, medical devices, and employment. Aviation matters include both on ground and in air collisions, personal injury and wrongful death, FAA and NTSB investigations. Roger’s insurance background gives him a unique perspective, enabling him to resolve complex coverage matters, both for insurers and insureds.

Honors, Memberships and Professional Activities

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV/5.0 Peer Review Rated

  • Named a “Top Lawyer” for Medical Malpractice in Seattle Met magazine, 2010

  • Listed in Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers for Commercial Litigation, 2010

  • Bar Admissions: United States Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington; U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington; Washington; New Jersey; U.S. District Court, New Jersey

  • Member of Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC, highly selective organization, limited to 1,100 members nationwide) for over twenty-five years; serving on Admissions, Membership Development and Diversity Committees

  • Member of Washington State Bar Association Diversity Committee

  • Associate member of Washington Health Care Risk Management Society (WHCRMS)

  • Advisor to University of Washington Health Law Students Association

Representative Cases

Hospitality

  • Obtained settlement on behalf of resort of three claims of legionnaires disease, in which liability was established, for 10% of demand each

  • Prevented quadriplegia claim against resort, based on over serving alcohol, leading to fall, through aggressive investigation

    Healthcare

  • Recovery of $6.1 million on behalf of a group of 26 hospitals from State of WA for overcharges on Medicaid audits

  • Recovery of $1.3 million on behalf of two hospitals from State of WA for overcharges on Medicaid audits

  • Court of Appeals ruling that payments by Federal Government to hospitals under Federal CHAMPUS (now TRICOR) program are not subject to WA B&O tax
    Defense verdict for ARNP on failure to diagnose pseudotumor cerebri, resulting in blindness.

  • Successful defense of over thirty disciplinary matters against a wide variety of healthcare providers (physicians, hospitals, chiropractors, naturopaths, acupuncturists, psychologists) Settlement on last day of trial on behalf of pathologist and laboratory on failure to diagnose cervical cancer resulting in 28-year-old occupational therapist with a one-year old child, for 10% of pretrial demand.

    Insurance Coverage

  • Negotiated $1.8 million payment to insured client on business interruption claim

  • Negotiated $1.1 million payment to insured client on fire claim

  • Negotiated $750,000 payment to insured client on fidelity claim

  • Successfully defeated coverage on aviation policy due to application misrepresentation

    Aviation

  • Back country private aircraft collision in Alaska

  • Aircraft damage on landing due to instrument failure

  • Helicopter crash during wildlife rescue operation, resulting in one death, one injury

  • Helicopter crash during training, resulting in two deaths

    Speaking Engagements

    “Mediation of Health Care Matters”, Washington Health Care Risk Management Society, 2018
    “Negotiation in Mediation”, Aviation Section, King County Bar Association, 2017
    “Trauma in the ER – Hospital Response to Law Enforcement,” Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, 2015
    “Enterprise Risk Management for Healthcare Organizations,” HFMA Washington / Alaska Chapter, 2013
    “Hospitality Business Interruption – Beyond the Basics,” Hospitality Law Conference, 2013
    “Healthcare Risk Management,” Washington Healthcare Risk Management Society, 2010
    “Charting and Risk Management,” Washington Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, 2010
    “Risk Management for Massage Therapists,” Bastyr University, 2007
    “Defending Alternative Healthcare Practitioners,” Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, 2007

    Practice and Specialty Group Memberships

  • Aviation

  • Insurance

  • Health Care

  • Litigation

Education

  • University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1969

  • Tufts University, B.A., 1966