Heyl Royster

Daniel Wurl

Of Counsel
Champaign, IL

Joined Firm in 2013

A lawsuit is often a new and stressful experience for clients. Dan understands that although he has been down this road many times, he must give clients individual attention and insight to get them through the litigation process.

  • Rated AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®
  • 40+ years of experience in civil litigation
Read Full Bio

Daniel Wurl

Attorney in Champaign, IL

Dan has defended clients in various types of litigation, including medical malpractice, casualty and tort, long-term care and nursing homes, insurance law, agricultural law, products liability, and legal malpractice.  He has more than 40 years of experience handling civil litigation matters in state and federal courts in Central Illinois. He attributes his numerous years of experience and the diversity of his practice with providing him unique insights into handling each case based on the individual client's issues and needs.

Dan's extensive experience in civil litigation began after graduating from law school at the University of Illinois in 1981. Working at a large law firm in Columbus, Ohio, for five years in the business and litigation departments, he handled commercial litigation and personal injury defense matters. Returning to his home state of Illinois in 1986, he practiced in several small general practice law firms in Champaign-Urbana before joining Heyl Royster in 2013.

Dan is personally involved in each case from beginning to end, remaining in close contact with his clients throughout the litigation process.  He keeps them informed of any significant developments and seeks their input.  He believes it is essential to get along with opposing counsel to avoid unnecessary adversarial situations without compromising the client's defense. Dan knows that civility and professional respect are always in the client's best interest.

Credentials

Education:

J.D., University of Illinois College of Law

B.A., University of Illinois, Political Science

Licensure(s) and Admission(s)

State Courts of Illinois

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois

United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Professional Affiliations

Champaign County Bar Association

Illinois State Bar Association

Civil Practice & Procedure Section Council (1990-1998); Chair (1996-1997)

Insurance Law Section Council (1997-2003); Chair (2001-2002)

Special Committee on Mentoring (2003-2006)

Task Force on Certification of Attorneys by Specialty (1997)

Tort Law Section Council (1997-2003; 2006-2013)

Results

  • Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a central Illinois hospital in a personal injury action. The plaintiff alleged that a dangerous condition at the hospital caused him to fall and strike his head. The plaintiff alleged damages exceeding $50,000, including pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of income, and permanent disability. Throughout discovery, Heyl Royster attorneys strategically postured the case for summary judgment by developing defense theories to defeat the plaintiff's premises liability claim. The court entered judgment in favor of Defendants on all counts.
  • Obtained a dismissal with prejudice on behalf of an Illinois surgeon and Central Illinois hospital. The plaintiff filed a medical malpractice action alleging a delay in diagnosis, failure to perform surgery, and failure to obtain informed consent. After the motion practice surrounding Illinois statutory requirements for malpractice actions and attorney affidavits, the court dismissed the plaintiff’s case with prejudice.
  • Secured a defense-favorable verdict in an admitted liability case. The damages assessed were within the predicted verdict range and $15-20 million less than the plaintiff’s asked.
  • Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a central Illinois radiologist and his practice group in a case involving allegations that the radiologist failed to appropriately communicate the results of a CT scan. Although the jury returned an award of $9.1M against the co-Defendant, the jury returned a defense verdict in favor of our clients on all counts.

Awards/Recognition

  • Leading Lawyer by Law Bulletin Media℠ – Medical Malpractice Defense Law; Commercial Litigation; Insurance, Insurance Coverage & Reinsurance Law
  • Rated AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®

Public Profile

Dan has defended clients in various types of litigation, including medical malpractice, casualty and tort, long-term care and nursing homes, insurance law, agricultural law, products liability, and legal malpractice.  He has more than 40 years of experience handling civil litigation matters in state and federal courts in Central Illinois. He attributes his numerous years of experience and the diversity of his practice with providing him unique insights into handling each case based on the individual client's issues and needs.

Dan's extensive experience in civil litigation began after graduating from law school at the University of Illinois in 1981. Working at a large law firm in Columbus, Ohio, for five years in the business and litigation departments, he handled commercial litigation and personal injury defense matters. Returning to his home state of Illinois in 1986, he practiced in several small general practice law firms in Champaign-Urbana before joining Heyl Royster in 2013.

Dan is personally involved in each case from beginning to end, remaining in close contact with his clients throughout the litigation process.  He keeps them informed of any significant developments and seeks their input.  He believes it is essential to get along with opposing counsel to avoid unnecessary adversarial situations without compromising the client's defense. Dan knows that civility and professional respect are always in the client's best interest.

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