Medical malpractice resulting in serious injury or death is an overwhelming and stressful ordeal. Choosing the right lawyer to support you shouldn’t add to the difficulties you’re facing.
When it comes to choosing a medical malpractice lawyer to help you get the results you deserve, there are simple guidelines to follow.
Your case is unique. You need to find someone willing to listen compassionately, who can easily prove their experience, and provide clear goals.
We have provided information to help you choose a medical malpractice lawyer who fits your case, with a proven track record of winning cases like yours.
Choosing a medical malpractice lawyer best fit for your case
Before you choose a lawyer, it helps to understand whether you may have a case.
If you or someone you know was harmed by a doctor or other medical professional who failed to meet the accepted standards of care, this is considered medical malpractice.
For someone who has experienced medical malpractice, there are basic requirements needed in order to move forward with a case, including proof of the following:
- The medical professional was treating the person directly
- The medical professional was negligent and did not meet medical standards of care
- The medical professional’s negligence directly resulted in the person’s injury
- The injury led to specific harm, such as physical pain, mental anguish, extra medical bills, and job or income loss
When choosing a medical malpractice lawyer, there are many considerations. In general, medical malpractice law is highly regulated with complex rules. Your lawyer must have experience with your specific case type to successfully reach the outcome you deserve.
The following are examples of medical malpractice areas that a qualified lawyer may have experience in:
- Preventable birth injuries
- Delayed diagnosis
- Misdiagnosis
- Hospital malpractice
- Medical product liability
- Surgical errors
Your lawyer must have adequate medical knowledge to properly defend you. They also must be connected with medical professionals they can consult on standards of care.
Experience and success with medical malpractice
Your lawyer’s experience and success are steeped in the results of actual cases. You want to choose a medical malpractice lawyer with years of experience and a solid reputation, both among people you know and in the areas they practice law.
The best way to learn about a lawyer you’re considering is to meet with them and have a conversation about your specific needs.
Bring all of your documents to the meeting. This could include the following:
- Medical bills and records
- Police report
- Income loss proof
- Documents from insurance company
Additionally, come prepared with questions. Find out how long they’ve been in practice, who they represent, and how many of their cases are personal injury.
Some important considerations in the initial conversations include whether they have compassion, integrity, and boldness. Do you feel respected and heard? Does the lawyer seem to be accessible and approachable? Does it feel like they will do what it takes to win your case?
While experience and success might be obvious markers of a lawyer’s integrity, feeling mutual trust and respect along the way is critical as well.
Do I have a case?
The cost of their services
Every lawyer will have different costs and requirements for services. A written fee agreement will be constructed so both parties are clear before work begins.
When you make your initial call to a lawyer that you are vetting, be sure to ask about any upfront costs such as consultation fees. Many lawyers will offer a free consultation, so you may want to keep looking if a consultation fee is required.
Grover Lewis Johnson, for example, offers free consultations and doesn’t require payment of any fees until your case is won.
During the consultation, a lawyer considers whether to take your case, so offering this for free is fair — especially if they decide to turn down your case in the end.
Also during your consultation, you can discuss how much the lawyer believes your case is worth and how difficult it might be to get that amount. From there, you can talk through your options and discuss how much effort both sides are willing to put in to achieve your desired outcome.
Coming to an agreement on this front, you’ll be able to see how closely your goals align with the lawyer’s. This is an indication of whether it will be a good fit.
Schedule a consultation phone call or meeting
To take the first steps in getting the help you deserve, schedule a consultation. This is an opportunity to discuss your situation, get your questions answered, and learn if you might have a case.
Because our work often revolves around difficult and uncomfortable experiences, Grover Lewis Johnson strives to be approachable and available. Open communication is key to standing by our clients and supporting them. We are different because we genuinely care about you and the work we do for you.
Our legacy began over 25 years ago, building a proven track record of numerous successful trials. Our mission is simple and rooted in compassion: We take a genuine interest in our clients, listening to them, understanding their objectives, and exceeding their expectations.
We provide Michigan with exceptional legal services by holding ourselves to the core values of compassion, excellence, integrity, fearlessness, and accessibility.
How can we help? Call us today to speak with our experienced team and schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation. We want to learn about what you need so that we can make honest recommendations that will help you move forward.