Litigation - Health Care Health Care Law Litigation - Insurance Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Pittsburgh.
David M. "Dave" Chmiel
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2016 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Dave Chmiel joined Baum O’Connor Cullen Chmiel in 2009 and focuses his practice in the defense of physicians and dentists, hospitals and long term care facilities and a host of other healthcare and medical providers, including physicians assistants, nurses, physical therapists and certified nurse anesthetists to name a few.
Mr. Chmiel pursued his undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Mr. Chmiel began his career at a small five-attorney firm in Pittsburgh where he began to develop his trial skills handling general liability cases, including motor vehicle accidents and premises liability claims, as well as medical negligence matters. Mr. Chmiel continued to pursue his interests in medical negligence defense at a significantly larger firm based out of Philadelphia, PA until arriving at Baum O’Connor Cullen Chmiel.
He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, membership to which is extended only to litigators who have demonstrated outstanding ability and experience in their fields.
Overview
- University of Pittsburgh, J.D., graduated 1995
- University of Notre Dame, BA, graduated 1992
- Pennsylvania, 1995
- Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County - Fellow
- Allegheny County Bar Association - Member
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyer - Named
- Pennsylvania, 1995
- Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County - Fellow
- Allegheny County Bar Association - Member
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyer - Named
- University of Pittsburgh, J.D., graduated 1995
- University of Notre Dame, BA, graduated 1992
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Litigation - Health Care, Pittsburgh (2026)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Health Care Law
- Litigation - Health Care
- Litigation - Insurance
- Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants
News & Media
Additional Information
Case History
Cases
- Results
Obtained a defense verdict for a board certified urologist in a case in which the plaintiff alleged that the physician was negligent in failing to order diagnostic tests in a timely fashion, resulting in a delay in diagnosis of bladder cancer.
Obtained a defense verdict in favor of a ophthalmologist after plaintiff alleged that the physician was negligent in the pre-operative work-up before LASIK surgery. Plaintiff further alleged negligence in the post-operative management of the plaintiff as well as failure to give a proper informed consent.
Obtained a defense verdict in favor of a board certified family practice physician in a wrongful death and survival action. Plaintiff alleged that the physician was negligent in the management of Coumadin, resulting in the decedent taking an excessive amount of the blood thinner. Decedent ultimately suffered an intracranial hemorrhage, and died.
Plaintiff alleged that the prosthodontist failed to properly measure the vertical dimension of occlusion, resulting in an ill-fitting and uncomfortable prosthesis and complaints of TMJ. A defense verdict was returned after nearly three weeks of trial.
Obtained a defense verdict in favor of a ophthalmologist after plaintiff alleged that the physician was negligent in the pre-operative work-up before LASIK surgery. Plaintiff further alleged negligence in the post-operative management of the plaintiff as well as failure to give a proper informed consent.
Obtained a defense verdict in favor of a board certified family practice physician in a wrongful death and survival action. Plaintiff alleged that the physician was negligent in the management of Coumadin, resulting in the decedent taking an excessive amount of the blood thinner. Decedent ultimately suffered an intracranial hemorrhage, and died.
Plaintiff alleged that the prosthodontist failed to properly measure the vertical dimension of occlusion, resulting in an ill-fitting and uncomfortable prosthesis and complaints of TMJ. A defense verdict was returned after nearly three weeks of trial.
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