Medical procedures always carry risks, but the goal of getting rid of the symptoms you’re suffering from is often worth that risk. A staggering 25 percent of patients face complications from the medical procedures they receive, adding pain and suffering to their daily lives. It doesn’t take much beyond poor luck to find yourself a victim in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
If a doctor or healthcare practitioner has neglected your care or made severe errors during a procedure, you need to hire a medical lawyer to represent you. You have a serious case that could entitle you to a significant financial settlement for your pain and suffering.
The good news is that you’ve found the right guide to learning the right questions to ask when hiring an attorney for medical malpractice. Keep reading to learn more today!
How Long Have You Been a Medical Lawyer?
Personal injury lawyers are among the most popular types of lawyers in the United States. These lawyers are better equipped to help you than a maritime lawyer, but you should still ensure that you’re working with a lawyer with experience handling malpractice cases. Ask about their history as a medical lawyer before deciding to hire them for your case.
The first thing to ask about is their time as a Bar-certified lawyer. Years of experience are a good sign that you’ve found someone who can help with your medical malpractice lawsuit. It’s also important to ask where that experience occurred.
Medical malpractice laws vary from state to state. Hire a lawyer with years of experience in your local area to give yourself a good shot at winning your lawsuit. They will have the expertise and connections to get a favorable result from the case.
How Many Cases Have You Won?
Another good question to ask a medical lawyer before making a hire is how many cases they’ve won. A successful track record indicates that you’re hiring an attorney who can help you. A lawyer with experience but few victories won’t help you if you find that you’re a victim of medical malpractice.
Ask about their record of wins and losses with a medical malpractice lawsuit. A lawyer with a long list of losses is not someone you want to put your faith in to get a reasonable settlement. It would be best to ask about their recent cases before hiring.
Look at the outcomes of these recent cases to find out if they’re someone who can help you fight medical malpractice. The best types of lawyers know what it takes to help you win the case and negotiate the largest settlement possible on your behalf. Don’t hire a medical lawyer that leaves money on the table.
Can You Speak With Previous Clients?
Ask to speak with past clients who worked with the medical lawyer before hiring them. Reading online reviews on Google and Yelp is a great start, but speaking directly with past clients is the best way to learn more about working with that lawyer. Ask for a list of clients who you can call when you’re looking at hiring an attorney.
The clients should have positive feedback about their experience. Avoid working with lawyers who have negative feedback or who balk at the thought of you contacting their previous clients.
This is a major red flag and a sign that you should look elsewhere for legal help after suffering from medical malpractice. You should visit https://www.axiomlaw.com/industries/medical-lawyers if you need help hiring an attorney with the skills and experience to win your case.
Do You Have a Network?
Lawyers who have an established network are a wonderful resource if you’re filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. Their network allows them to build a case on your behalf with ease, thanks to their professional connections across multiple industries. Ask about how they plan to build your case when hiring a lawyer after you’ve experienced medical errors.
Experienced medical attorneys have established networks that work to strengthen your case. It’s an important step toward maximizing your settlement should you win your lawsuit. Having a medical expert on speed dial is a must when hiring an attorney to take your malpractice case.
What Is Your Fee Structure?
The fee structure is another important consideration to make if you’re hiring a lawyer to help with a medical malpractice case. It’s a good rule of thumb to reach out to three medical lawyers to get estimates for their services and knowledge. Some lawyers work on an hourly basis, while others use a fixed rate for their help.
Your best bet is to find the types of lawyers who use a contingency fee when providing legal advice to clients. This method allows you to avoid paying for legal help unless the lawyer wins the case and negotiates a settlement. The medical lawyer receives an agreed-upon portion of your settlement in exchange for their help.
The worst thing you can do is pick the lawyer with the cheapest rates on your shortlist. You get what you pay for when facing a medical malpractice lawsuit. You won’t receive a settlement at all if you try to cut corners by hiring a cheaper, inexperienced medical lawyer.
The goal is to find a medical lawyer that offers a fair rate, and that has an accomplished track record. You can rest assured that they’ll have the network and the experience to help you get the settlement you deserve. Don’t get cheap when you’re hiring an attorney to take your case.
Now You’re Prepared to Hire a Medical Lawyer
Hiring a medical lawyer is the right step to take if you’re suffering from medical malpractice and you’re ready to seek help. Ask about their experience level, and find out about their success rate when handling medical malpractice cases in your area. You should also speak to past clients to learn more about what it’s like to work with these types of lawyers.
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