You never expected to be here, but here you are. You’ve been googling “how to find a medical malpractice attorney” because a doctor injured you. And you’re not searching for just anyone, of course, you need to know how to find the best lawyer for you and your specific case.
Rest assured, you’ve clicked on the right article. We’ll tell you where to look for the best malpractice lawyers, and how to choose the most fitting one for your case.
How to Find the Best Malpractice Lawyers
Being a victim of malpractice is like falling into a pitfall trap. You’re confident in where you’re going. You expect a good outcome from the procedure or surgery you agreed to undergo.
But one misstep and…surprise! Suddenly you’re sunk deep down in pain and debt.
Of course, unlike a pitfall trap, the misstep isn’t yours. It’s not your fault that a doctor misdiagnosed you, or nicked an organ while operating on you.
But the insurance companies who represent doctors will try to make your injury your fault. They’ll say you had an underlying condition that exacerbated your pain. Or they’ll claim you didn’t follow your doctor’s instructions.
The fight for justice can be long and rocky. That’s why you need the best malpractice lawyers on your side. But…where are they?
Here’s where you can start looking:
- Do you know an attorney personally? Even if they don’t work in the malpractice field, they may know someone who does. They may be able to recommend someone.
- Call the bar association in your state. It’s best to find an attorney near you, because you need someone who’s familiar with malpractice litigation laws for your state. Also, you may need to meet them in person on occasion. So, ask your state’s bar association if they can refer you to someone.
- Call your health insurance company. Your insurance company may have a few attorney’s numbers for you to call.
- Ask family, friends, or another doctor for recommendations. Often, the best recommendations come from people you know.
- Do a Google search for malpractice attorneys in your region. Chances are, you’ve already started doing this. Attorney websites can be a great place to get an idea of whether a firm is right for you.
Once you’ve compiled a list of numbers to call or websites to check, it’s on to the “vetting process”. This is the step where you’ll review your options in hopes of choosing the best malpractice lawyers for your case.
Malpractice lawyers sometimes turn down cases for different reasons. Or you might find that a certain attorney doesn’t have experience with cases like yours, so they aren’t a great fit. So you may need to speak with several firms before you hire one.
How To Find a Medical Malpractice Attorney: What To Ask
Next, you need to narrow down your selection. The right lawyer for your case is the one who has adequate qualifications, experience, and resources to handle it.
You can start by pursuing the lawyer’s website for information. Then, give them a call. Most medical malpractice attorneys will offer you an initial consultation for free. During that consultation you can ask questions about how they work, what experience they have, and how they charge.
Here’s what to check for:
- Bar association standing. Has the attorney you’re considering ever been disciplined? Check local, state, and national bar associations to see if they’re in good standing.
- Relevant case experience. Medical malpractice is a broad term that covers injuries from misdiagnosis to surgical errors to medicine mistakes. So if your case deals with a birth injury, for example, it’s best to find a lawyer who specializes in those.
- Background. The best malpractice lawyers have studied medicine themselves. It’s not a requirement, but it’s a huge plus! Ask about the education of the law team that you’re considering to work on your case.
- Successful cases. Ask whether they have any case studies of medical malpractice lawsuits they’ve won successfully. You can also find their past cases using online legal directories, bar associations, court records, and even news articles or press releases.
- Reviews. Many lawyers and most law firms have online reviews you can read to discover whether they’re a good choice overall.
- Pay scheme. How does the law firm charge for their services? Look for one that works on a contingency fee basis. This means they’ll cover litigation expenses, and you will only owe them payment if they obtain compensation for you.
- Trial experience. If your case goes to trial, will your lawyer have enough experience to defend you? Trials happen when the two parties can’t agree on a settlement. Although settlements are more common in medical malpractice cases, there’s a chance you may have to go to court. So you need to be ready!
Wondering how to find a medical malpractice attorney in the great state of Texas? Look no further than Hampton & King. We specialize in medical malpractice cases. Give us a call any time to find out if we’re the right fit for your case.
Finding A Medical Malpractice Attorney FAQs
How do I know my attorney is good at their job?
This is included in the article above in detail, but here’s the quick answer. When evaluating medical malpractice attorneys, look into their past cases and educational background. You can use online legal directories, bar associations and court records, or ask your attorney directly. Also, watch for high ethical standards, attention to detail, respect and professionalism.
How long does it take to get compensated in a medical malpractice case?
This varies widely from case to case, and depends on a number of things specific to your lawsuit. Your medical malpractice settlement will likely take a few months to a year. That’s from the time you file the claim, to the moment you settle. That said, in rare cases, it can take years.
If you go to trial, it can take several years. But on average, it takes a few weeks. Here at Hampton & King, we’ll help you avoid unnecessary delays so we can settle as quickly as possible.
How do I find the best medical malpractice attorney?
We covered this in more detail above, but here’s the Cliff’s Notes. Check their bar association standing to see if they’ve been disciplined. Check local, state, and national bar associations.
Make sure your malpractice attorney has plenty of relevant case and trial experience. Look for an educational background in medicine, their track record (successful cases). Always read through their reviews. Make sure your lawyer works on a contingency fee basis.
What qualifies as medical negligence?
Medical negligence is when a medical professional fails to uphold the proper standard of care. Misdiagnosis, surgical errors, failure to diagnose, medication errors, failure to provide appropriate treatment or follow-up care, and failure to obtain informed consent are all examples of medical negligence.
Who should I sue?
It depends on the details of your case, but the attorney you find should be able to determine that without a problem. But generally, if the doctor is the one responsible for your injury, you’ll probably need to sue the doctor. But in some cases, it makes more sense to sue a dentist, orthodontist, nurse, or another medical professional. And in some cases, you may want to file a lawsuit against the hospital itself.
