We all know that attorneys spend a lot of time getting their education. They attend law school after attaining their undergraduate degree, and they have to pass the bar exam before they begin practicing. However, that doesn’t mean that all lawyers are equally competent in all legal matters, especially in highly specialized types of law like medical malpractice.
So, how do you know that the attorney you are considering for representation in your medical malpractice lawsuit is best for your case? There are some common things to look for that indicate that you have found a top-rated medical malpractice attorney.
Medical Malpractice Experience
One of the biggest considerations is how much experience the lawyer has in dealing with medical malpractice cases. It’s important to know how long the attorney has been practicing and how many cases like yours he or she has handled. Medical malpractice cases tend to be complicated, often relying on expert testimony to win the jury’s trust. Attorneys who handle these types of cases have to prepare expert witnesses to give their testimony. Doing that competently takes experience.
Asking the following questions will help you determine whether the lawyer you are considering has the level of experience you’re looking for:
Besides interviewing medical malpractice lawyers to hire, there are some ways that you can find relevant information about them online. Your first stop should be the attorney’s website, where you can find information like: education, years in practice, and track record.
You can also look at attorney referral sites like The American Bar Association, Martindale-Hubbard, and your state and county bar associations to get more information about specific attorneys.
Medical Knowledge and Access to Medical Professionals
Because medical malpractice attorneys have to prepare expert witnesses, often physicians, to give their testimony, as well as preparing to cross examine the other side’s expert witnesses, they have to have a solid understanding of medical terminology, diagnoses, procedures, treatments, and theories. They also have to understand the relevant standard of care for your specific situation. Many medical malpractice lawyers have a list of qualified medical professionals with whom they consult on their cases. You need to who your attorney will be using as expert witnesses and what their experience is. The ideal situation is finding a law firm that has attorneys who are also medical doctors – experts in both the law and medicine.
Some of the questions you may ask to determine whether an attorney’s medical knowledge and access to experts meet the requirements of your case are:
Courtroom Experience
While many medical malpractice lawsuits are settled long before they make it to a trial, it’s important to find an attorney who prepares his or her cases for that eventuality. It’s also vital that the attorney you choose has experience and success litigating medical malpractice cases in the courtroom. You don’t want to find yourself working with a lawyer who is known to always settle cases. You want one who is comfortable in trial situations as well.
Questions you might consider asking about your attorney’s courtroom experience are:
Finding the right attorney for your case – one with medical malpractice experience, medical knowledge, access to reputable and knowledgeable experts, and litigation experience – is a huge factor in the outcome of your lawsuit. In fact, it can make or break your case.
At Ross Feller Casey, we know that experience matters, and we have it. Our lawyers have successfully litigated medical malpractice lawsuits against some of the largest insurance companies, hospitals, and corporations. In the last five years alone, Ross Feller Casey has recovered an astounding $1 billion for our clients, with many of those cases being medical malpractice lawsuits.
Additionally, Ross Feller Casey doesn’t have to look externally for medical professionals as we have a team of Ivy League educated doctors right on staff, two of whom are also lawyers. These doctors are available to evaluate and care for medical malpractice cases from your first meeting all the way to a verdict or settlement.
Our track record of winning verdicts in the courtroom demonstrates that our lawyers also have the experience to take cases to trial and to win. We have a long list of seven- and eight-figure verdicts that prove it.
If you believe you have a medical malpractice case, Ross Feller Casey can help you determine how to proceed. All of our cases are handled on a contingency basis. That means that you don’t pay anything until we obtain the best possible financial settlement or a verdict for your claims. Contact our offices today to schedule your free case evaluation.
Disclaimer: Ross Feller Casey, LLP provides legal advice only after an attorney-client relationship is formed. Our website is an introduction to the firm and does not create a relationship between our attorneys and clients. An attorney-client relationship is formed only after a written agreement is signed by the client and the firm. Because every case is unique, the description of awards and summary of cases successfully handled are not intended to imply or guarantee that same success in other cases. Ross Feller Casey, LLP represents catastrophically injured persons and their families in injury and wrongful death cases, providing legal representation in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.