When you are
considering taking a medical malpractice claim to court, one of your
most important decisions is deciding on an attorney to represent you.
Medical malpractice lawsuits are among the most complex to navigate,
and you need an attorney who possesses certain skills and levels of
expertise on your side to help increase your odds of compensation.
Medical malpractice
attorneys are those who can easily navigate advanced medical
terminology and scientific theories. You also want an attorney who
has a team of scientific experts to consult with when necessary. The
following are some additional qualities to look for when you choose
an attorney for your medical malpractice lawsuit.
Specific Training
and Experience in Medical Malpractice
As mentioned, you
need an attorney who has experience and knowledge in the area of
medical malpractice. Attorneys all have their niche of expertise.
Some specialize in criminal defense, while others work primarily in
family law. When you choose an attorney for a medical malpractice
lawsuit, you want to find a personal injury attorney who has a solid
track record in medical malpractice cases.
One thing you should
look out for is an attorney who specializes in assisting victims of
medical malpractice, as some attorneys specialize in defending
physicians and medical professionals in these cases. Always ask to
see examples of cases similar to yours when you consult with
different attorneys so you can get a general idea of what you can
expect.
Expertise in
Medical Terminology
Although you are
hiring an attorney, who is a student of the law, you want an attorney
who also has an advanced understanding of medical terminology.
Attorneys working primarily in medical malpractice will need to be
able to interpret your medical records to fully understand your
injury and build a successful case.
A good medical
malpractice attorney will also be able to understand where a
physician or medical professional went wrong when treating you,
resulting in an injury. You should be able to discuss the mistakes
made against you regarding any procedures or misdiagnoses to assist
in determining an appropriate settlement amount.
Ability to Obtain
Medical Witnesses
Although an attorney
can be well trained in various medical terms and procedures, at the
end of the day an attorney is not a doctor or medical professional.
Because of this, you need an attorney who is able to easily access a
variety of medical professionals to serve as witnesses in your case.
Many victories hinge on medical expert testimony in court.
A medical witness is
a neutral third party who did not initially treat you, but evaluated
your records and can easily see what went wrong in your treatment. He
or she then testifies as to what should have happened or where
blatant errors were made in your case.
A medical witness
adds credibility to your case in the eyes of a judge and jury, as
they do not have to rely solely on your word, but also on the
evaluation of an objective medical professional with experience in
your ailments.
Ability to Work
With Contingency Fees
One of the biggest
obstacles for many people to even take a medical malpractice claim is
the fear of the legal fees. When you search for an attorney for your
case, look for those willing to work with you on a contingency. This
simply means your attorney does not take a fee unless and until you
win your case. This is helpful for many people, as it takes away the
fear of a legal bill until after the case is over.
If you need
assistance with a medical malpractice claim, please contact us at the Law
Offices of Janice Maloney
.
