William R. Settles

Partner
Omaha
Des Moines

Bill Settles is a partner at Lamson Dugan & Murray with over 30 years of experience defending physicians, hospitals, and healthcare providers in medical malpractice claims. His background, as the son of a physician and a nurse, gives him unique insight into the challenges faced by medical malpractice defendants. Bill also handles legal malpractice defense, insurance coverage issues, and licensure actions before the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Bill has over 50 jury trials and 30 appellate decisions. Outside work, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.

We Got You Covered

Career Highlights

Successfully defended constitutionality of Nebraska’s cap on medical malpractice damages in the Nebraska Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Obtained determination by the Nebraska Supreme Court, as a matter of first impression, that the law of informed consent in Nebraska does not require that consent be written.

Obtained determination by the Nebraska Supreme Court that Nebraska would not recognize the loss-of-chance doctrine in medical malpractice cases.

Appointed by Nebraska Supreme Court to serve three terms on the Second District Committee for Discipline, including two terms as Chair.

Obtained verdict in favor of obstetrician/gynecologist and physician assistant in case alleging failure to diagnose breast cancer.

Obtained verdict in favor of orthopedic surgeon in case alleging failure to diagnose infection following rotator cuff repair resulting in severe damage to shoulder joint and need for total joint replacement.

Obtained reversal of $900,000 verdict against hospital and physician due to erroneous exclusion of expert testimony.

Obtained affirmance of a trial court’s decision to exclude an ex parte autopsy conducted by Plaintiff’s expert.

Obtained reversal of order granting new trial to Plaintiff in action against physician for breach of confidentiality and tortious interference with a business expectancy.

Obtained affirmance of a trial court’s decision to exclude evidence from medical textbooks.

Obtained verdict in favor of psychiatrist in case arising out of the prescription of antipsychotic medication.

Obtained verdict in favor of law firm in legal malpractice case arising out of franchising law in which claimed damages exceeded $25 million.

Obtained verdict in favor of two orthopedic surgeons in case arising out of treatment of ankle fracture in 15-year-old patient that nearly resulted in amputation.

Obtained verdict in favor of surgeon in case arising out of common bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Obtained verdict in favor of obstetrician/gynecologist in case arising out of ureteral injury during hysterectomy.

Obtained verdict in favor of emergency room physician in case arising out of death of young girl due to asthma attack.

Education

Notre Dame Law School, J.D.

University of Nebraska – Lincoln, B.S. in biology and pre-medicine

Admitted to Bars & Courts

Nebraska

Colorado

United States District Court for the District of Nebraska

United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

United States Supreme Court

Memberships, Boards, & Committees

Omaha Bar Association

Nebraska State Bar Association

American Bar Association

Nebraska Defense Counsel Association

Defense Research Institute

Practice Emphasis
Publications
Significant Cases

A Word From Our Clients

Awards

  • Inducted as Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, 2023
  • Selected as Fellow of Litigation Counsel of America, 2022
  • Best Lawyers® 2022 – 2023 Appellate Practice
  • Best Lawyers® 2022 Professional Malpractice Law -Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” for Omaha
  • Best Lawyers® 2015 – 2023 Medical Malpractice Law -Defendants
  • Best Lawyers® 2016 – 2023 Professional Malpractice Law -Defendants; Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
  • Award for Excellence in Medical Malpractice Law, Lawyers of Distinction®, 2019
  • Lifetime Achievement Award, America’s Top 100 Attorneys®, 2017
  • Elected to American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), 2013
  • Best Lawyers® 2016 Medical Malpractice Law-Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” for Omaha
  • Rated AV Preeminent™ by Martindale Hubbell® (highest possible peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards), 2001-present
  • Lifetime Achievement Award, America’s Top 100 Attorneys®
  • Best Lawyers® 2025
  • American Board of Trial Advocates
  • The American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers