How to Choose the Best Personal Injury Law Firm for Medical Malpractice
If you have been the victim of medical malpractice, it is important to find a law firm quickly to file your claim within the statute of limitations. For the best outcome, however, it is even more important to choose the best law firm to represent your case. If you lack legal experience, this may seem like a daunting task. However, with some basic knowledge of what to look for, you can find an experienced firm that will fight for your rights.
Specialty in Medical Malpractice and Plaintiffs’ Work
Most lawyers specialize in specific practice areas. Medical malpractice is a subspecialty of personal injury law. Just as you would not hire a plumber to fix an electrical problem, you should not hire a firm that specializes in an unrelated area of law such as real estate or commercial litigation to handle a medical malpractice case. Further, medical malpractice lawyers will typically represent either the defense (hospitals, doctors, or other medical professionals accused of malpractice) or plaintiff (a person who has been injured by negligent medical care). To best represent your claim, you should seek a firm that represents plaintiffs’ interests.
Experience and Tenacity
Medical malpractice cases are complex, involving the evaluation and testimony of medical experts to determine if a physician failed to meet the standard of care. Managing such a case requires experience. To find a firm with the depth of experience required to successfully resolve medical malpractice cases, you should look for firms with a track record of obtaining settlements and judgments in their clients’ favor, and which have successfully brought cases to trial. While the majority of medical malpractice cases are settled out of court, having a firm that is willing to go to trial if necessary is crucial in obtaining the maximum possible compensation. Firms that have a reputation for settling in any situation are frequently offered less than their clients are entitled to.
Standard Practices
Typically, a firm with a specialty in medical malpractice will operate on a contingency basis. This means that their clients do not pay legal fees up front. In the event of a judgment or settlement in their favor, a percentage of the final amount will be paid to the firm to cover their work. These firms also usually offer a free initial consultation to evaluate the merits of a case before taking it on. You should avoid any firm that demands a fee to evaluate your case. According to the experts at Hodes Milman & Liebeck LLP, You should also confirm that the firm is in good standing with their state and local bar associations before signing any engagement letter.
When you have found a firm that meets these points, be sure to arrange a personal meeting to discuss your case. The ideal firm will be thorough in their evaluation, attentive to your questions and concerns, and committed to benefiting their clients.
