How To Choose a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

When a healthcare provider’s negligence causes you harm, you may decide to consult a medical malpractice lawyer in Macon, GA. You could be eager to take legal action against the negligent party. However, rushing your search for an attorney may lead to inadequate legal representation.

Find out how to choose a medical malpractice lawyer in this guide.

Why Legal Representation Matters in Medical Malpractice Cases

It’s wise to consult a lawyer before filing any personal injury claim. Legal advice is especially helpful if you wish to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. These cases may have complex backgrounds and involve multiple negligent parties.

Hiring a lawyer can be beneficial as you navigate the process. An attorney can assess the unique circumstances around your injury and determine if filing a claim is a suitable option. Moving forward with the claim requires a comprehensive evaluation of damages and negotiating with the defendant in hopes of settling outside of court.

In some cases, neither party wishes to settle, leading to a trial. An experienced attorney should prepare for litigation and guide their client through the court proceedings.

Steps To Take Before Hiring a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

You may feel overwhelmed and confused when it comes to these legal matters. Knowing how to choose a medical malpractice lawyer you can trust could ease some of your concerns. Below are some helpful tips for beginning the process and hiring a skilled legal representative.

1. Research Local Firms That Handle Malpractice Claims

While medical negligence pertains to personal injury law, you don’t want to hire an attorney who doesn’t have experience handling malpractice cases. Some personal injury attorneys may focus on other claims, such as car accident injuries. Find a legal team with experience representing clients in malpractice cases.

Research the firm’s credentials, including:

• The education and background of their attorneys
• How long the firm has been in business
• Legal memberships or associations the firm belongs to

Once you narrow down your search to a few firms, you can then proceed with the following steps.

2. Look Up Their Client Reviews and Testimonials

If you’re wondering how to choose a medical malpractice lawyer you can count on, online reviews and testimonials can be a great resource. Look at feedback from the firm’s past clients to learn more about their experiences and whether they’d recommend the legal services in question.

Look at the testimonials posted on a firm’s website, as well as reviews on sites like Google, Yelp, and more. Negative feedback from others may give you pause about hiring an attorney, while glowing reviews could make you more inclined to trust a law firm. You’ll want to factor positive reviews into your decision, especially if they mention things like:

• Open communication: Your legal team should be willing to communicate with you through every stage of the process.
• Empathetic staff: After a devastating malpractice incident, legal counsel should approach your case with empathy and compassion.
• Legal guidance: Moving forward with a claim can be confusing and overwhelming for malpractice victims. Reviews that mention the staff’s support and guidance throughout the process are worth noting.
• Overall good experiences: It’s a good sign when many reviews say they’d trust the firm all over again and would recommend the legal services to others.

While reviews can give you a better idea of how to choose a medical malpractice lawyer, you must do a bit more research before making your final decision. If you’re leaning toward hiring one firm, schedule a consultation with an attorney. This next step will be crucial in helping you make your decision.

3. Ask Important Questions During a Case Evaluation

The case evaluation gives you an opportunity to discuss your options with a legal professional. One of the first questions you may ask is: “Do I have the grounds to file a suit?” Depending on your case’s details, an attorney could recommend moving forward with a claim or educate you on the criteria required for a medical malpractice claim.

That’s not the only question you should ask at this time. Use this opportunity to learn more about what you can expect should you hire this firm. Key questions to ask include:

• What is your success rate with medical malpractice cases?
• How much trial experience do you have?
• What is your billing and payment structure?
• How will you keep me informed throughout the process?

It’s important to dive into an attorney’s history of handling malpractice claims. If they reveal that a majority of their claims settle out of court, you could feel confident in their ability to negotiate with a defendant’s legal team. Asking about trial experience is equally important, as claims that don’t settle out of court typically end with litigation.

Many attorneys offer free consultations, but you may be on the hook for legal fees later on. Ask about a firm’s billing structure. If they operate on a contingency fee basis, plaintiffs typically only pay an attorney’s fees if their case ends with a settlement or trial victory.

Finally, you should find out how the firm will communicate with you. Will an attorney, paralegal, or other staff member be your main point of contact? How often can you expect updates on your case?

4. Trust Your Gut

Only you will know how to choose a medical malpractice lawyer whom you trust. If your instincts tell you that you should keep looking, then you can repeat the steps above. Just be mindful of filing deadlines and give yourself enough time to find an attorney.

Consult Dellacona Law Firm About Your Malpractice Claim

If you have a medical malpractice claim that you’d like to pursue, knowing how to choose a medical malpractice lawyer is crucial. Look for an experienced legal team to advocate for you, no matter if the case settles quickly or ends with a time-consuming trial. Tracey Dellacona and the team at Dellacona Law Firm have experience handling various medical negligence claims.

Contact our office to schedule a consultation and learn about your options. Submit our online request form or give us a call at (478) 389-0548.