7 Tips for Choosing a Medical Malpractice Attorney

What is medical malpractice?

The typical definition reads when a doctor fails to provide the degree of care another medical practitioner in the same position with the same qualifications would have. And, that failure resulted in injury to the patient.

Do you have a medical malpractice case? Are you wondering how to hire a medical malpractice lawyer? Keep reading to learn seven important tips for choosing a medical malpractice attorney.

1. Find Someone With Experience 

When you have an important medical malpractice case, you want someone with years of experience handling cases similar to yours.

Ask around for local lawyers that your friends or neighbors have personally used. Narrow down your options and schedule consultations with a couple of them.

2. Specialized Expertise

Once you find lawyers with adequate experience, ask about their specific expertise. Do they mainly handle things like surgical errors, birth injuries, anesthesia errors, etc?

Choose a lawyer who has handled cases like yours. Don’t just find a personal injury lawyer. Find one who specializes in medical negligence and medical malpractice cases.

3. Success Record 

Now that you have a list of lawyers, find out about their success rate. How many wins do they have and how much money have they recovered for their clients?

You want a legal team with a consistent record of success so you have a good chance of getting adequate compensation for your losses.

4. References and Reviews

Ask potential law firms if you can speak to three or four of their most recent clients focusing on those with similar cases to yours. Do your homework and contact the clients to find out about their experience working with that lawyer.

Ask questions about the lawyer’s professionalism and punctuality. Ask about the attentiveness to their case or if the lawyer was juggling too many cases. Would they recommend the lawyer to a friend or family member? Were there any issues you should know?

Another option is to look at online reviews.

5. Licensing 

Check the local bar association website to see if the lawyers on your list are licensed to practice in your state. If any of them have an expired license, take them off the list.

6. Communication Skills 

When you meet with a lawyer, assess their communication skills. Does he or she listen to you while you talk? Are they easy to understand when they talk to you?

Remember the attorney you choose will be asking questions, talking to the judge, and addressing a jury.

7. Fee Structure 

Find out about the fees associated with the case. Do they use a contingency fee pay structure where you pay only if they win? Do they charge by the hour? Are there any hidden fees?

The Right Medical Malpractice Attorney

These tips will help you choose the right medical malpractice attorney for your case. Careful selection will benefit you in the long run. When going through the process of hiring a lawyer, keep in mind that you want someone you can trust to get you the compensation you deserve.

Looking for more helpful advice? Browse through our site as we cover topics such as education, travel, health, fashion, and more.