Just like most other civil attorneys, medical malpractice lawyers often offer potential clients a no cost initial consultation where they can explain their case and get legal advice regarding their options to pursue a claim. Here's what you can expect at the consultation and what you should ask prospective attorneys.
1. Explain Your Case
It is critical that you be completely honest and refrain from trying to embellish your situation in an effort to make your case appear "better". Misinforming your attorney will likely come back to haunt you during your case.
2. Evaluate the Attorneys Experience
Make sure to get the attorney to inform you on the legal strengths of your case, and try to evaluate whether he or she really has experience dealing with medical negligence cases. You should expect to hear how your case involves "negligence", "causation" and "injury". All of which are critical for a good medical malpractice claim, and should be the focus of the attorneys case evaluation.
3. Ask About Experience
Medical malpractice cases are very difficult to handle, and you want an attorney that has experience dealing with them. Ask the attorney about past cases, especially any that went to trial. If you can find an attorney with experience in medical malpractice litigation, then you'll be in good hands.
4. Be Up Front About Your Expectations
Be honest about what you expect to get out of your claim. If you have been seriously injured, or even lost a loved one, you should tell the attorney how much money you expect to cover all the costs, lost income and you pain and suffering.
A medical malpractice lawyer should be able to give you some ballpark figure regarding how much your case may be worth.
5. Talk About Fees
Ask a potential lawyer how the fees will be handled. Most often, they will work on a contingency fee basis where their fees are taken out of the final settlement amount or jury award. The range is usually around 35-50%, so try to establish a percentage early on so there are no surprises if it comes time to sign a retainer agreement.
6. Stay Calm
Remember, these attorneys are here to help you, and this is how they make a living. Never feel like they are entitled to your case. You should always be aware that you may want to interview several attorneys.
If you think you want to talk to some specialized medical malpractice lawyers, click on the orange button below to contact some medical malpractice attorneys in your area and get the process started.
