If you or someone you love was harmed by a medical provider, you may be considering hiring a medical malpractice lawyer. A number of attorneys advertise that they handle medical malpractice cases; choosing the right one for your case can feel overwhelming.
The accomplished attorneys at The Bishop Law Group have extensive experience in the field of medical malpractice. These cases are incredibly complex and require the knowledge, skill, and resources of a lawyer well-versed in both medicine and Maryland law. If a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional caused you harm, we want to hear your story.
10 Key Traits of an Effective Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Unfortunately, medical malpractice is alarmingly common, with Johns Hopkins Medicine reporting that medical errors are now the third leading cause of death in the United States.
To file a successful medical malpractice claim, you will need an experienced lawyer on your side. But, how do you choose the right lawyer to represent you? Here is what you should look for when hiring a medical malpractice lawyer in Baltimore:
1. Focus on Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice
Due to the unique challenges that medical malpractice claims present, you will want a lawyer who focuses his or her practice in this area. While a lawyer who drafts wills or helps people start businesses might be very good at what he or she does, this doesn’t mean that he or she will be able to handle your medical malpractice claim effectively.
2. Years of Experience Representing Patients and Families
Understanding how insurance companies handle medical malpractice claims (and how to overcome their defense tactics) requires years of experience. The lawyer you choose should have a proven record of success in helping patients and families recover fair compensation.
3. A Team of Experienced Legal Professionals
Handling a medical malpractice claim efficiently requires a team of legal professionals. If you choose a lawyer who has a support staff committed to helping maximize your financial recovery, you can feel confident knowing that you have a good chance of securing a favorable outcome.
4. Testimonials from Happy Clients
One of the best ways to choose a medical malpractice lawyer is to watch and read testimonials from happy clients. If past clients have been satisfied with their experience, this is a good sign that you will be satisfied with your experience as well.
5. Approachability and Accessibility
When you have a medical malpractice claim, you need to feel comfortable sharing personal information with your lawyer. You also need your lawyer to be available when you text or call. Choosing a firm that you can contact 24/7 is a good place to start; and, during your free initial consultation, you should try to get a sense of whether you feel comfortable and what you can expect if you move forward.
6. An Honest and Straightforward Approach
When you need legal advice, you need a lawyer who will take an honest and straightforward approach. You need to feel confident that you can trust the advice your lawyer provides, and you should not be left with more questions than answers.
7. Commitment To Core Values
Along with providing honest and straightforward advice, you need a medical malpractice lawyer who has a demonstrated commitment to other core values. For example, your lawyer should be committed to representing you with respect and compassion, your lawyer should take responsibility for giving you the best possible chance at success, and your lawyer should be a relentless advocate for your legal rights.
8. Commitment To Your Recovery
You will want a medical malpractice lawyer who is committed to your recovery. Rather than treating you as just another client and focusing solely on handling your malpractice insurance claim, your lawyer should be able to assist you with getting quality medical care, managing your expenses during your claim, and making informed decisions with your long-term best interests in mind.
9. Strong Negotiation Skills
Most successful medical malpractice claims result in out-of-court insurance settlements. When hiring a medical malpractice lawyer, choose an attorney with proven negotiation skills who is focused on helping you obtain a favorable settlement as efficiently as possible.
10. Willingness To Go To Court When Necessary
Finally, while your lawyer should be focused on efficiently obtaining a favorable settlement, your lawyer should also be prepared to take your medical malpractice claim to court if necessary. While most successful claims settle out of court, in some cases, going to court is the only way to collect the financial compensation that patients and their families deserve.
Talk to a Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer for Free
Hiring a medical malpractice lawyer is one of the most important decisions you will make. It’s important to choose an attorney you can trust to protect your rights and best interests. A Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer at The Bishop Law Group can help. It costs you nothing to speak with our lawyer and you are under no obligation to move forward with our firm after your initial consultation.
Contact us today online or at (410) 390-3101 to discuss your case for FREE with an experienced attorney. Our firm serves clients throughout Maryland, including Baltimore, Ocean City, and other areas.
