Choosing the right attorney can make or break a lawsuit. It is especially true for medical malpractice cases, which need a specialized personal injury lawyer with a lot of experience and at least some medical knowledge.
If you believe you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice, you’ll need a powerhouse to fight against attorneys on retainer at insurance companies, hospitals, and medical corporations. But how do you find the right one to guide you through how to sue for medical malpractice?
You can get referrals from several sources: your local bar association, friends and family, your insurance company, and even other doctors and attorneys. When choosing one to represent you, you must consider their background, legal specialty, and experience to ensure that they can get you the justice you deserve.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Before you even think about how to prove medical malpractice, it’s essential to determine whether or not your situation falls under its definition in the first place.
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider causes injury and damages to a patient due to neglect, omission, or deviation from the appropriate standard of care, be it intentional or not. Examples of medical malpractice include giving wrongful diagnoses or administering improper treatment.
Victims of medical malpractice can bring their claims against any healthcare provider, including nurses, doctors, dental hygienists, EMTs, and the facilities, hospitals, and corporations they work for as employees.
How To Find A Medical Malpractice Attorney
A quick Google search can pull up the names of different lawyers near you. However, though convenient, this method puts you at risk of hiring the wrong attorney. Here are some safer options you can take to connect with a medical malpractice lawyer:
Call A Bar Association
Local bar associations can’t recommend specific lawyers, but they do have a list of practicing attorneys in your area with specialties in medical-related cases. You can go through these and often get their contact info and other details in the same directory.
Get Referrals From Family, Friends, And Colleagues
Ask your family, friends, and colleagues for lawyers they know or have worked with in the past. It’s a great way to find an attorney with a good track record from people you trust.
Check With Your Insurance Company
Your insurance company may already have a team of lawyers that you can employ for your medical malpractice claim. Ask your agent for the details if there is one!
Ask Other Doctors And Attorneys
If your primary physician isn’t involved in the case, ask them if they know of any medical malpractice lawyers that have done work in the area. They likely know people in other legal fields as well! Similarly, if you already know a lawyer, ask for recommendations.
Things To Consider When Choosing A Lawyer For Medical Malpractice
A referral is an excellent start to choosing the right medical malpractice attorney. But you also have to do your homework to find the best one for you. Here are some things to consider when deciding which lawyer to hire:
Consider Experience
Medical malpractice lawsuits merge concepts in law and medicine. Therefore, hiring a lawyer with a good grasp of both is crucial. Check if the attorney has had medical education and how much experience they’ve had handling medical malpractice cases—and, most importantly, their track record with these lawsuits.
Explore Affiliations
See if the lawyer has an affiliation with any personal injury lawyer associations. Additionally, check their bar association records to see if they’ve ever had disciplinary measures taken against them.
Read Reviews
Go through online and peer reviews to assess the experience of other lawyers and previous clients with the attorney you’re considering. Reviews can provide illuminating information you might not find in other places.
Any Accolades?
Though lawyers don’t need to have awards to be good, it’s a telling sign if the attorney has a couple of accolades up their sleeve. It may be something to consider.
Fees And Expenses
Lawsuits can get expensive, and it’s essential to know how much you can expect to dole out when you hire one lawyer over another. Check their payment terms and decide based on how much you’re willing to spend.
Find The Right Lawyer For Your Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
Medical malpractice cases are more complicated than other lawsuits. So you must hire the right medical malpractice attorney from a trusted office like the Coastal Virginia Law Firm to handle it. You can rest easy knowing that professionals will handle your lawsuit with care, competence, and confidence.