Bio
Heather A. Tereshko is a Principal in the Firm's Professional Liability Department and Medical Malpractice Defense Practice Group. She defends clients in litigation involving claims of alleged malpractice resulting in catastrophic injuries with significant liability and damage exposure. She also provides risk and exposure analysis and strategic advice on defending claims of professional negligence and malpractice. Her clients include physicians, nurses, and nurse practitioners, as well as hospitals and several major health systems in the Philadelphia region.
Ms. Tereshko's more than 18 years as an attorney include first-chair and second-chair jury trial and arbitration experience, in addition to significant mediation and deposition experience. She has successfully defended clients in claims involving failure to diagnose, negligent performance of surgery, and failure to timely treat medical conditions, among others.
From 2005-2008 and in 2012 and 2013, Ms. Tereshko was selected by her peers as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer - Rising Star. Prior to joining Post & Schell, Ms. Tereshko was a trial attorney with two regional defense firms and began her legal career at Post & Schell in 2003 after completing a clerkship for the Honorable Timothy J. Savage in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Education
- J.D., Widener University School of Law, 2001
- B.B.A., Temple University, 1989
Bar Memberships
- Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Affiliations
- Montgomery County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Philadelphia Bar Association, Member, State Civil Litigation and Women in the Profession Sections
-
Volunteer, Support Center for Child Advocates, 2009-2012
Clerkship
- Honorable Timothy J. Savage, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Speaking Engagements
- Pressure Injuries and Skin Documentation: A Legal Perspective, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Grand Rounds (December 7, 2022)
- Recent Trends in Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Litigation, Philadelphia Area Society for Healthcare Risk Management (PASHRM) monthly educational meeting, Philadelphia, PA (May 24, 2018)
- Defending Your Documentation, University of Pennsylvania Health System Third Annual Medical-Surgical Nursing Conference (May 1, 2006)
Representative Matters
- Secured dismissal of hospital and health system defendants in case involving death of 21-year-old patient due to alleged failure to timely treat congenital heart condition.
- Secured dismissal of hospital and health system defendants in case involving permanent neurologic injuries allegedly suffered by the plaintiff as a result of a retained epidural catheter.
- Secured defense verdict at arbitration on behalf of Emergency Room physician and hospital in case involving a claim that a physician failed to diagnose and admit patient for further evaluation of kidney infection.
- Secured dismissal of orthopaedic surgeon and hospital defendants in case involving alleged negligent hip replacement surgery.
- Secured dismissal of an obstetrician and hospital in case involving alleged negligent performance of a circumcision resulting in physical and cosmetic injuries.
News & Insights
Education
- J.D., Widener University School of Law, 2001
- B.B.A., Temple University, 1989
Bar Memberships
- Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Affiliations
- Montgomery County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Philadelphia Bar Association, Member, State Civil Litigation and Women in the Profession Sections
-
Volunteer, Support Center for Child Advocates, 2009-2012
Clerkship
- Honorable Timothy J. Savage, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania