Erika L. Amarante is a partner in Wiggin and Dana's Litigation Department. She represents hospitals, physicians and other health care providers in cases alleging professional negligence, lack of informed consent and negligent credentialing. She has extensive experience defending claims of wrongful death, birth trauma, delayed diagnosis of cancer, and brain injuries, as well as the catastrophic injuries that often arise in such claims. Erika also has had the unique experience of serving in a claims management position, setting reserves and valuing cases. She regularly counsels health care providers on issues of liability and risk reduction strategies. Erika has tried cases to verdict and most recently secured a defense verdict in a medical malpractice case, a defense judgment after a bench trial in a case alleging lack of informed consent, and a directed verdict in a jury trial in a medical negligence case. In addition to being an active member of DRI, Erika also serves on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Defense Lawyers Association and the Executive Committee of the Connecticut Bar Association's Litigation Section. She was Editor-in-Chief of the Connecticut Bar Journal from 2010-2013, and is a James W. Cooper Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation.