Stephen C. Fraser

Steve Fraser is recognized as one of Southern California’s premier civil litigation trial attorneys. He has been involved in many high-profile lawsuits. He specializes in all aspects of healthcare professional liability/medical negligence, long-term care, business torts and catastrophic personal injury matters. His practice has largely revolved around a wide range of jury trials and arbitrations. With over 80 civil jury trials, Steve was inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates early in his career and was subsequently promoted to the senior rank of “Advocate.”

Steve served as co-lead trial counsel for the University of Southern California in the largest exposure sexual abuse claim ever brought against a healthcare provider in the state of California (Jane Doe v George Tyndall M.D.). Fraser Watson & Croutch, LLP has become a preeminent resource for the medical community in the defense of sexual abuse/assault mass torts.

His high-profile trials have resulted in Steve being featured on network and Southern California television, such as CNN’s Headline News, KCAL 9, Fox 11, as well as in print including the ABC News, MSNBC News, USA Today, LA Times. Some of his notable cases, all of which have resulted in favorable verdicts or dismissals of his clients, include:

• Amy Yasbeck v. Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center et al. where the family of actor John Ritter brought a wrongful death suit against 10 healthcare providers;
• Irena Medavoy v. Arnold Klein, M.D. & Allergan, Inc. wherein the actress and wife of a famous movie producer sued Beverly Hills dermatologist to the stars and the makers of Botox for alleged injuries;
• Ed McMahon v. Neel Anand M.D., et al. in which the Tonight Show sidekick brought suit against his neurosurgeon for alleged negligent spinal surgery.

Steve takes great pride in being chosen to defend some the finest physicians and healthcare providers in the country. Representative clients include The Regents of the University of California, USC Medical Center, Hoag Hospital and Cottage Health in Santa Barbara.

As the founding senior partner and the Firm’s lead trial attorney, Steve shares responsibility for evaluating cases scheduled for trial. Steve also serves as an educator and mentor of other lawyers and legal professionals throughout the Firm’s two office locations.