Learning how to choose a medical malpractice lawyer is similar to choosing a personal injury lawyer. The key difference is that you want a medical malpractice lawyer who is familiar with the medical field. This knowledge increases the odds of a successful outcome. 

Start by looking at attorney websites to learn more about their experience. That includes looking at their bios to learn more about their skills and how long they’ve been practicing. Make sure to read through client reviews to learn about how well they communicate. Last, but not least, compare their number of successes against how many cases they’ve completed.  

Understanding What a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Does 

A medical malpractice lawyer works on cases that involve a medical professional who failed to maintain medical standards. The bar to prove medical malpractice is high. That means a lawyer has to carefully review a case to make sure there’s a claim. They use their knowledge to determine if the medical professional acted in a way that resulted in serious harm or death of a patient. 

Medical malpractice is an umbrella term that covers different types of medical injuries. You want to find a lawyer that specializes in the type of injury you received, and can demonstrate their experience. Their refined knowledge of your type of injury means they understand the procedure and why your injury happened. In turn, they can effectively pursue your claim. 

How to Find a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Knowing how to find a medical malpractice lawyer takes research on your part. You want to have confidence in the lawyer you choose. Legal directories, word of mouth, and your state’s bar association offer reliable information. Legal directories and bar associations offer neutral information about medical malpractice attorneys. Word of mouth, or referrals, are more biased. However, personal opinions are valuable and informative. 

Look into the lawyer’s credentials as part of your research. The American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA) certifies qualified medical malpractice attorneys. While this certification isn’t necessary for medical malpractice lawyers, it’s a good indicator of an attorney’s skills. Proven experience in the form of successful outcomes and length of time in practice are also positive indicators. 

This knowledge helps you select a medical malpractice lawyer that works effectively on your behalf. 

Qualities of a Good Medical Malpractice Lawyer 

Figuring out how to choose a good medical malpractice lawyer relies on the combination of research and your instincts. You want to feel good about your choice of medical malpractice lawyer. That includes looking into their track record and what former clients have to say. Look for comments that talk about how the client felt supported by the lawyer from the beginning. 

A medical malpractice attorney should be one that recognizes the sensitive nature of the situation. People often suffer life-altering changes at the hands of an incompetent medical practitioner. You want a medical malpractice attorney that’s empathetic to your situation and knows how to handle the unique nature of this type of situation. 

Check Credentials and Experience 

You can get background information about an attorney from the state bar and professional affiliations. The state bar gives you information about the attorney’s practice that includes how long they’ve been handling cases and their malpractice specialization. Certifications and affiliations tell you that the lawyer has met professional standards and passed tests to receive a certification. 

You can also find out how many court cases a lawyer has handled and their types. This tells you about the lawyer’s competency. It also shows their experience with handling a medical malpractice claim.

Questions to Ask a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A consultation is part of learning about how to find a medical practice attorney. It’s your opportunity to get a feel for the lawyer and how well you connect with them. Take the opportunity to ask questions that include:

• What’s their success rate?
• How do they handle a case, or what’s their strategy?
• What kind of communication style do they use?
• How much do they charge for a case like yours?
• Do they have an estimate of how long the case will take from start to finish?

The answers to these questions will help you get a feeling for the lawyer’s style and support. You’ll also get an idea of how transparent they are, and their confidence in getting a satisfactory settlement for you. 

Evaluate Fee Structures and Payment Options

Most medical malpractice lawyers charge a contingency fee, but some may require a retainer to get started. A contingency fee is a percentage of your final settlement. It repays the lawyer for the costs they paid for and the time they put into your case. The retainer helps to get the case started and pays for immediate costs. 

You may be asked to pay a flat rate or an hourly fee to get your case going. The flat rate covers all the costs of your case, while an hourly fee is an ongoing charge. A flat rate is usually asked for a case that’s straightforward. An hourly rate is for cases that may take a long time to resolve. 

Make sure to ask the lawyer about the legal costs involved in a medical malpractice lawsuit. This type of lawsuit may require the use of consultants and expert witnesses to support your evidence. It’s best to understand the cost of pursuing a case before you decide to hire an attorney. 

How to Choose Between Multiple Attorneys

Learning how to find a medical malpractice attorney involves identifying ones that closely align with your needs for representation. The process begins by using the previously mentioned resources, then reviewing each attorney’s information. Write down the names of the ones that feel like a good fit and create a shortlist of your top candidates.

As you compare your top candidates, look for the factors that align with your interests. Some of the things to look for in a medical malpractice attorney include:

• Getting a feel for their personality.
• Look for similarities between their areas of medical malpractice and your case. 
• Check for comments or notes about their responsiveness.
• Get a feel for their trustworthiness when it comes to pursuing your claim. 

Schedule consultations once you’ve identified the lawyers you want to work with. Meeting with a lawyer in person helps you answer any remaining questions about hiring them. 

Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Lawyer 

It’s normal for a lawyer to advertise their firm in order to generate business. Avoid law firms that advertise heavily. These firms are less likely to put effort into getting you the settlement you deserve, or don’t give you quality legal services. 

Avoid general practice lawyers that don’t have a focus on medical malpractice. They won’t have the resources or experience to successfully pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Don’t skip out on the background research. Medical malpractice law requires a lawyer who is knowledgeable in medical terminology and the health care industry. This specialized knowledge is used to protect your rights and bring your lawsuit to a successful close.

Conclusion

The nature of a medical malpractice lawsuit all but requires an experienced malpractice attorney. A medical malpractice attorney is capable of reading medical information, and works with medical experts to find out if a physician acted unethically. They apply their knowledge of the law to prove that a case of medical malpractice happened to you.

Taking the time to research medical malpractice attorneys helps you find a lawyer that gives you confidence. You can trust them to do their best job on your behalf. In turn, you get the best possible result for your medical malpractice claim. 

Get in touch with us at LedgerLaw.com today and learn more about why we’re your best option. Our team of medical malpractice lawyers are ready to talk with you about your case and how we can support you.  

FAQs About How to Choose a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

How do I choose the best medical malpractice lawyer for my case?

Look for a lawyer who has experience with cases that are similar to yours. For example, you have a case regarding a birth injury for you or your child. You want to find a lawyer who has worked on birth injury cases. 

What should I look for when hiring a medical malpractice attorney?

You should look for a medical malpractice attorney that has experience with the type of medical injury you received. The attorney should have in-depth knowledge of the injury and how to proceed with a lawsuit. 

What questions should I ask a medical malpractice lawyer before hiring them?

Ask them how long they’ve been working in the field of medical malpractice and their success rate. 

How much does it cost to hire a medical malpractice lawyer?

A medical malpractice lawyer usually takes your case on contingency. That is, they take a certain percentage of the settlement, usually around 33%. 

How long does it take for a medical malpractice lawyer to settle a case?

The length of time it takes to settle a case depends on the severity and complexity of the case. Some cases take a few months, but others can take longer.