Contact Elizabeth Middleton Burke

Office: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Phone: 843-727-6500
Toll Free: 888-293-6883
Fax: 843-216-6509
E-mail: bburke@rpwb.com

Areas of Practice

Elizabeth Middleton Burke Member

Elizabeth Middleton Burke uses the law and science to help people injured by pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices and other medical errors.

Beth proudly advocates on behalf of consumers who rely on the pharmaceutical industry for safe and effective treatments. As a member of RPWB’s pharmaceutical and medical device team, she enjoys the challenge of investigating, organizing and litigating science-based cases for the benefit of clients who were not warned about the serious side effects they experienced.

She was born in Hartsville, South Carolina, and grew up in Lake City. As an undergrad, Beth was preparing for medical school when she decided her academic strengths were better suited for law school. She clerked for the Hon. Paula H. Thomas before beginning her career in pharmaceutical litigation at Suggs & Kelly in Columbia. She joined RPWB in 2003.

Many of the cases Beth works are on behalf of female patients who have been seriously injured by prescription medication. Pharmaceutical cases are inherently complicated and involve defendants with tremendous resources at their disposal. Beth has successfully stood up to the world’s largest corporations on behalf of consumers throughout the country.

In addition to pharmaceutical cases, Beth also accepts medical device, medical malpractice, product liability and catastrophic personal injury cases.

She is active with the Southern Trial Lawyers Association and American Association for Justice, where she currently chairs the Republican Trial Lawyers Caucus and the State Delegates. Beth serves as a Trustee of the College of Charleston, her beloved alma mater.

Admissions

1997, South Carolina
U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina

Education

University of South Carolina, J.D., 1997
College of Charleston, Honors College; B.A., English (Departmental Honors), 1994

Professional Memberships

South Carolina Bar
American Association for Justice (AAJ) (Formerly ATLA)
- Membership Oversight Committee, 2008-2011
- Convention Planning Committee, 2008-Present
- National College of Advocacy Board of Trustees, 2005-2008
- New Lawyers’ Division, Secretary, 2000-2001, Communications Committee, 2003-2005
South Carolina Association for Justice SCAJ (Formerly SCATLA)
Southern Trial Lawyers Association (STLA), 2010 to Present; Board of Governors, 2013 to Present, President 2019-2020
Federal Bar Association
College of Charleston Alumni Association
- Immediate Past President, 2011-2012
- President, 2010-2011
- President Elect, 2008-2010
- Vice President, 2007-2008
- Board of Directors, 2003-2006, 2007-2012
College of Charleston Honors College, Distinguished Alumni Award, 2011
University of South Carolina Law School Alumni Council, Gold Compleat Lawyer Award, 2016
Best Lawyers in America, 2017-2019 (Product Liability, Personal Injury & Mass Tort Litigation)

Representative Cases

3m Combat Arms Ear Plug Multidistrict Litigation

Burke is co-chair of the Plaintiff Steering Committee for the 3M Combat Arms Ear Plug MDL, which has been consolidated in the Northern District of Florida. Between 2003 and 2015, service members received defective ear plugs from the military. Many current members of our Armed Forces and veterans continue to suffer from hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of these defectively designed ear plugs. RPWB represents hundreds of current and former service members nationwide who continue to suffer from permanent hearing problems related to these faulty ear plugs.

Lipitor Multidistrict Litigation

Burke was co-chair of the Lipitor MDL bellwether committee. The drug used to treat high cholesterol is alleged to cause some women to develop diabetes. RPWB was lead counsel of the MDL.

Breast Implant Multidistrict Litigation

Thousands of women were adversely affected by faulty breast implants produced by a number of manufacturers. Burke was instrumental in many implant cases, including the MDL against Dow Corning that resulted in a $3.2 billion settlement for 400,000 women.

Chantix Multidistrict Litigation

The smoking cessation drug Chantix causes serious psychological problems for some patients. Pfizer has settled or is in the process of settling more than 2,700 cases with a total projected settlement amount of $291 million. RPWB was co-lead counsel of the MDL. Burke prepared the bellwether cases for trial and worked extensively to establish that the drug caused the side effects.

Zyprexa Multidistrict Litigation

The anti-depressant drug Zyprexa causes some patients to develop diabetes or worsen their pre-existing diabetes. RPWB served on the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee of the MDL. As a result of the litigation, Eli Lilly agreed to pay $1.2 billion to 28,500 individuals.

Ortho Evra

The birth control medication delivered to women via a patch provided inconsistent dosages and led to an increased risk of blood clots. In addition to representing clients, Burke deposed many expert witnesses in the case and worked to establish causation between the drug and the side effects it caused.

Elizabeth Middleton Burke

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