Deedee Rouse Gasch

Deedee Gasch is an experienced civil trial lawyer, and her litigation practice covers a wide range of complex legal and medical issues.  She is the chair of the firm’s Retail, Restaurant and Hospitality Practice Group and is actively involved in defending healthcare providers against general negligence and medical malpractice claims.  Deedee also routinely defends cases involving automobile liability, trucking accidents, and products liability.

RETAIL, RESTAURANT & HOSPITALITY

Deedee is the chair of the firm’s Retail, Restaurant and Hospitality Practice Group and is an active member of the National Retail Restaurant Defense Association (NRRDA).  NRRDA requires its members to concentrate their practices in serving the interests of the retail and restaurant industries and requires attorneys to submit references who can verify an attorney’s competency and advocacy of clients within these industries.  She is one of only four attorneys in North Carolina who has been accepted for membership into this organization and is the only member attorney east of Raleigh.

Deedee is a tireless advocate to her retail, restaurant, and hospitality clients, which are comprised of national retailers and restaurants, locally owned and operated businesses, hotels, franchises, private clubs and organizations, concert venues, special event organizers, health and fitness clubs, sports facilities, amusement parks and family fun centers, go-kart tracks, storage facilities, and product manufacturers and distributors.  Deedee defends and advises these companies and individuals on a host of legal issues including premises liability, dram shop/alcohol liability, negligent security, falling merchandise, product displays, safe food handling, food-born illnesses, trucking, distribution, commercial transportation, manufacturing defects, breach of warranties, and products liability.

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE / HEALTHCARE LAW

Deedee regularly advises and represents healthcare providers, hospitals, physician practices, home-health agencies, and long-term care facilities in claims involving medical negligence, licensing board investigations, pre-suit claims investigations, risk management, corporate negligence, and general liability matters (including premises liability, negligent security, and commercial auto fleet claims).

As part of this practice, Deedee defends claims involving catastrophic birth injuries, brain injuries, infection, retained objects, missed diagnoses, paralysis, amputations, wrongful death, and various surgical and other medical complications.  Deedee believes in early intervention and frequent communication with her clients to handle these complex, often emotionally charged cases.  When claims are unable to be resolved pre-suit, Deedee is thorough and meticulous in her investigations of these matters and has successfully advocated for healthcare professionals in courts throughout North Carolina.

Deedee offers seminars and presentations to her healthcare clients, providing the most up-to-date information on various rules and regulations governing the healthcare industry, policy compliance, avoiding litigation, and mitigation of risks.  She also consults with hospitals and medical practices on risk management, policies and procedures, medical review and quality review committee formation and adherence, and investigation and review of adverse events.

COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE/TRUCKING

Deedee is a proven litigator in motor vehicle accidents and automobile and trucking claims.  As part of this practice, she has represented some of the largest insurance companies in the country and their insureds in both personal lines and commercial lines claims.  She has also represented automobile manufacturers, trucking companies, ride share services, and self-insured companies in the defense of claims ranging from accidents to products liability.

As part of this practice, Deedee offers 24-7 catastrophic claims response, giving her extensive experience on the scenes of claims in order to provide comprehensive accident scene investigation, preservation of evidence, and coordination of experts.

Deedee also provides consulting services regarding implementation of preventative safety measures and policies to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.  In addition, she assists trucking fleets with preparation of standard operating procedures for accident safety and investigation.

MEMBERSHIPS & HONORS

Deedee has been selected for membership in prominent legal and trade organizations, including the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA).  ADTA is an invitation only professional organization comprised of civil defense trial lawyers who are recognized as possessing the highest skill level in civil cases.  Only one defense attorney per one million in population is invited for membership in the organization.  Deedee is also an active member of the National Retail & Restaurant Defense Association (NRRDA), the North Carolina Association of Healthcare Risk Managers (NC ASHRM) and the Defense Research Institute (DRI).  She was selected for inclusion in North Carolina Super Lawyers® Rising Stars in 2021 and honored as a Legal Elite by Business North Carolina in 2022 and 2023. She maintains an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell, a prestigious peer review rating that recognizes attorneys who have reached high levels of skill and integrity.

PRESENTATIONS

Deedee is frequently invited by clients and various organizations to present on an assortment of legal topics and assists with providing continuing education to claims managers, adjusters, and healthcare providers. She has given presentations on a range of topics including:

• Mitigation of Risks in Health Care Settings
• Nurse Charting and Documentation
• Dram Shop Law & Alcohol Liability for the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA)
• Rule 30(b)(6) Corporate Representative Depositions
• Retailer Liability for Property Damages
• National Trends in Jury Verdicts
• Tips to Lessen Exposure for Defendant Retailers
• Standard Operating Procedures and Policies for Accidents
• Mask Compliance at Restaurants during the Covid-19 Pandemic
• Claims Investigation and Fraud Prevention

BACKGROUND & OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM

Deedee began her legal career in Florida, where she defended general negligence and bad faith claims for several of the largest insurance carriers in the country.  As a young associate attorney, she was selected for membership in the Chester Bedell Inns of Court, an organization which recognizes members who embody excellence in the courtroom, respect for the law, and professionalism.  Deedee represented injured plaintiffs after relocating to her home state of North Carolina in 2010, but returned to her first love of civil litigation defense upon joining Cranfill Sumner in 2015. Her experience on both sides of a case uniquely situates her in negotiations and at trial if settlement is not possible.  While Deedee’s passion is trying cases before a jury, her goal is to always resolve a case with minimal costs and exposure to her clients.  She believes in partnering with her clients and values their input at all stages of a claim to help ensure brand protection, mitigation of risks, and asset protection.

Deedee is a third-generation Tar Heel and attorney, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, a North Carolina Resident Superior Court Judge (deceased), and her father, a career trial lawyer. She has dual degrees in Journalism and Mass Communication and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  She earned her law degree cum laude from Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida, where she attended on a merit-based scholarship and graduated ninth in her class. She is licensed to practice law in both North Carolina and Florida.

Deedee’s husband, Eric, is a marine biologist with a federal agency.  The couple has two sons and a spoiled, rescued Bluetick Coonhound. They enjoy boating and fishing on the North Carolina coast, traveling, and scuba diving.  While Deedee is proud of her professional accomplishments, her two boys are her greatest pride.