Being a victim of medical malpractice is not an easy thing to go through. Facing the fact that the quality of your life may be affected entirely can be disheartening. When we fall sick, we go to the hospital because we believe that the doctors have enough experience and knowledge on how to deal with the condition. What happens if they deviate from the set medical practices and standards, causing more harm? In such a case, you can sue them for medical malpractice. For proper representation, you will need to hire a medical malpractice lawyer. In this read, we will be looking at 4 questions to ask the attorney before hiring them.
1. For how long have you dealt with medical malpractice cases?
The first thing you need to do is find out how long the attorney has dealt with medical malpractice cases. Their experience on such cases will play a critical role in the whole process. Find one who has enough experience in such cases as this will give you some confidence that they will be able to handle your case accordingly. Moreover, go ahead and ask them the specific medical malpractice cases they have dealt with before. It would be best to work with one who has dealt with similar cases such as yours.
2. How many cases have you won?
While one cannot win all cases in court, it is best to work with an attorney who has won most of their cases. Finding out the success rate of the medical malpractice attorney is very important. If you decide to sue a particular hospital or doctor, the main aim to get the rightful settlement.
3. Do you have any experience in the medical field?
Medical malpractice cases are not the easiest to deal with. For the lawyer to represent you accordingly, they need to have some knowledge on medical issues. While they do not necessarily have to have studied medicine, having some knowledge about some of the medical diagnoses, treatments, procedures, and theories is an added advantage. Consequently, the medical malpractice attorney you choose should have a team of medical experts to consult about deeper issues to do with the treatments and practices in medicine.
4. Is my case valid?
When we go to the hospital, we all wish that we get the right treatment, and rightfully so. However, sometimes even when the doctors try their level best, they might not succeed in restoring your health 100%. This further begs the question, does that count as malpractice? Well, it might not necessarily be. It is, therefore, important to understand what exactly counts as medical malpractice. You can find out more on https://sntny.com/practice-area/medical-malpractice/.
If you suspect your doctors neglected some part of your treatment and did not adhere to the set medical practices, hence causing injury, it would be best to seek a second opinion. Hand all your medical records to the attorney for them to analyze and help you determine if your case counts as medical malpractice or not. It is also important for the attorney to have medical experts in their team to help them understand the medical jargon.
5. How much do you charge?
You will also need to find out how much the attorney charges. Note that the total cost is affected by various factors such as the weight of your case, the timeline, the lawyer’s experience, and so on. Regardless, ask the lawyer to give you a breakdown of your costs for you to see if it is worth working with them or not. While the total costs should be a deciding factor, remember that you always get what you pay for.
6. What is required from me?
Medical malpractice cases are quite complex and sensitive. For this reason, you need to find out what the court might require from you. Ask the attorney the possible questions you might be asked in court and how you are expected to handle them. In most cases, you will need to provide sensitive information such as your health condition, your past medical records, and so on. You need to be adequately prepared for such, and your attorney should help you. They should also be able to educate and guide you on how the court process goes, more reason you need to work with an attorney who has enough knowledge and experience on medical malpractice cases.
7. How long will the case take?
While it might be difficult to tell the exact period the case may take, it is good to find out approximately how long the whole case will be in court. If the attorney has dealt with such cases before, he will be in a better position to estimate the amount of time the case will take. The attorney will also highlight some of the factors that might make the case take long before being closed. Remember, every case has its own weight, and yours may be totally different from another one in as much as they are of the same nature. At times the process may take a shorter period, especially if you and the hospital agree to settle the case outside the courtroom.
8. Do we have to go to court?
Nobody enjoys spending a lot of hours in court- not only is it tiresome, but it can also be emotionally draining. Ask your lawyer about the best way to solve the case. A settlement could work perfectly fine, but if the two parties do not come to an agreement, you might be forced to go to court.
Final Words
Everyone deserves the best treatment from a medical facility they entrust with their health. Medical malpractice cases involve a lot of emotions running high, and it might not be easy for both parties. By working with the right medical malpractice attorney, they will be able to mitigate the feelings and be professional at all times. Also, do not ignore your gut feeling-choose an attorney that you are comfortable with from the get-go.
