When it comes to medical malpractice law, hiring a legal representative is a matter that should be taken with utmost seriousness. Statistics show that people who’ve been injured due to medical negligence are reluctant to file a lawsuit. This is usually because of stigma. Doctors are people who are regarded very highly in any given society. Thus, filing a lawsuit against them normally attracts some criticism. Furthermore, a lot of people don’t deem physicians as people who can err in their line of work.
Victims of medical negligence are often left with mounting medical bills. Furthermore, some of these injuries usually demand the victim to alter his/her lifestyle. When searching for a good legal representative, you should bear in mind that different states have varying laws. In essence, Nashville medical malpractice law is different from that of Oregon. It’s in your best interest to find a lawyer who is well versed with the med-mal law of your state.
Compensation is the best way victims of medical negligence cases can get justice. However, the road to receiving the due compensation isn’t usually a straightforward one. Medical malpractice is considered a very complex branch of law. It consists of the medical and legal fields. Hence, ensure the attorney you eventually pick is well knowledgeable in both areas. It will greatly increase your chances of winning the case.
Once you’ve decided to seek litigation, your next step would be finding an astute attorney. The following are some of the things that can help you get a good legal representative.
Finding a Good Legal Representative
Online Legal Directories
The internet has become very instrumental, harboring tons of readily available information. The majority of medical malpractice victims are often clueless about how they ought their litigation journey. If you find yourself in this scenario, a good place to start is by using an online legal directory.
By harnessing these platforms, you’ll be able to get in touch with various lawyers for free. Once you’ve contacted several attorneys, the next step would be to have a one-on-one meeting with them. Alternatively, you can also contact your local state association and ask for reputable medical malpractice lawyers who can take your case.
Meeting with Prospective Attorneys
Having a meeting with your prospective lawyers is a crucial step in medical malpractice litigation. In most cases, the lawyers usually offer a free consultation. Ensure you take full advantage of this opportunity by meeting with several legal representatives. Victory demands a healthy lawyer-client relationship; thus, establish whether the attorney you want to hire understands the magnitude of your case.
An aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked is getting to know their team. A good number of medical malpractice law firms have a huge team that comprises paralegal and medical practitioners. Ask your prospective attorneys about future channels of communication. This will help you avoid unnecessary friction down the road once the lawyer takes your case.
Compensation and Fees
One positive aspect of medical malpractice law is many legal representatives agree to work on a contingency basis. This means that you’ll only pay for the legal fees if the attorney wins the case. For many victims, this is usually a relief since most of them are already in difficult financial situations.
Ensure you discuss payments and costs before hiring your attorney. Generally, attorneys charge 30-40% of the reward or settlement. Although this sounds a bit on the higher side, it’s usually a valid price point. You should factor in the risk involved in litigating such cases, as well as initial expenses paid by the lawyer. In the event the attorney loses the case, he or she has to bear the weight of the loss.
Lastly, ensure you choose an attorney that has won notable accolades and is well respected by his/her peers.
Final Thought
There are plenty of factors to consider when looking for a lawyer; however, the points mentioned above will go a long way in ensuring you pick the best legal representative.
