What to Ask Before Hiring a Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you’re planning on filing a medical malpractice claim, you’ve got a long road ahead. Thankfully, you don’t have to go it alone.
A compassionate personal injury attorney can help you navigate every stage of the proceedings while handling much of the heavy lifting for you. It’s important to remember, however, that not all attorneys are equipped to represent patients who have been wronged.
To ensure your claim will be in good hands, you must find the right person for the job. This starts by asking the following questions during the initial consultation:
1. How Much of Your Casework Involves Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice might be a subset of personal injury law, but not all personal injury attorneys are well-versed in its nuances. Before hiring a lawyer, you should make sure they have plenty of experience resolving claims similar to your own. Otherwise, they may not know what it actually takes to achieve success given the circumstances.
2. What Kinds of Experts Can You Call Upon When Building My Claim?
Medical malpractice claims demand a lot of evidence, including testimony from all kinds of experts. Before proceeding with a particular firm, it’s wise to inquire about the extent of their professional network. Do they have access to the reputable specialists needed to bolster your claim?
3. What Is the Most Likely Outcome of My Claim?
Since legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable, no respectable attorney will ever promise to secure a payout for a client. Instead, those who practice with honesty and integrity are willing to discuss all possible outcomes with their clients.
Your lawyer might share their professional opinion regarding the most likely outcome of your claim, but they should not make any guarantees.
4. What Is Your Fee Structure?
Most personal injury firms accept cases on a contingency fee basis. That means their fee comes out of the payout they manage to secure on behalf of the client. If the action doesn’t yield compensation, the client isn’t responsible for any attorneys’ fees.
This arrangement is beneficial for both parties. The lawyer has a proportionate stake in the outcome of the claim, so the larger the payout that results, the more they receive in return for their services. The client, on the other hand, doesn’t have to worry about paying hefty legal bills out of pocket when they’re already in a dire financial position.
5. What Can I Do to Support Your Efforts?
If you decide to hire the attorney whom you meet with, this is worth asking at the end of the consultation. By this point, they will be familiar with the facts of the case, so they can share a number of steps you can take to strengthen your claim. Examples include starting a personal injury journal, laying low on social media, and referring the insurance adjuster to their office.
Discuss Your Claim with a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Florida
Do you have reason to believe your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist made a mistake? To see if you have grounds for legal action, turn to Emerson Straw.
Our strategic team has secured more than $27 million for those who have been wronged by others. Call (727) 821-1500 or fill out our Contact Form to set up a free case review with a medical malpractice attorney in Florida.