How do I find a New York Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
When mistakes are made when seeking medical help, it can be devastating for both the injured individual and their families. Medical malpractice can greatly affect a person’s health, future earning capacity, or even take their life. Therefore, it is important to seek the help of an experienced New York Medical Malpractice lawyer in the following circumstances:
– If you or a loved one has suffered medical complications resulting from mistakes or negligent behavior by medical professionals.
– If a loved one has died due to poor care or errors during a medical procedure.
– If a doctor or other medical professional has negligently misdiagnosed a medical condition, provided inadequate care, or otherwise acted improperly.
Medical malpractice, especially in New York, is a very complicated and technical area of the law that requires the help of a qualified New York Medical Malpractice lawyer who has had experience representing clients in seeking compensation.
What to tell your attorney
It will be very important that you tell your lawyer all about why you are seeking their help and what has lead you to believe that a medical malpractice case exists. You should be ready to discuss your medical history and all surrounding circumstances. Your lawyer will also need to know what you want to achieve through litigation. Do not be afraid to disclose all information possible with your lawyer, even if you are afraid ti will harm your case. Your lawyer will need to know everything in order to properly evaluate your case.
Where to look for an attorney
New York medical malpractice lawyers can be found through advertisements and other lawyer listing services. You may have seen these ads on television, on the radio, in newspapers, or many other forms. Lawyer referral services are another method in which lawyers try to reach potential clients. While these sources can help you find the names and locations of lawyers in your area that practice medical malpractice, do not rely on them when making a decision in selecting a lawyer. Instead, use other sources that may provide you with unbiased information about a lawyer. The internet can be one such source, although it may be difficult to sift through the helpful information.
This website can provide you with a great start in learning about medical malpractice and also where to find a New York medical malpractice lawyer in your area. Use the search function, found at the top of the page, to find and compare lawyers. You may also ask legal questions to legal professionals, who can help guide you through the lawyer selection process.
Do I need a specialist?
New York medical malpractice lawyers practice in a very highly technical area of the law that requires a great amount of experience in order to properly represent clients. Medical malpractice requires knowledge of medical procedures, medical diagnosis, and the professional conduct of doctors meeting patient’s needs. It is highly recommended that you seek the help of a highly qualified medical malpractice lawyer to help you get the results you need through the highly difficult legal process.
Preparing for an appointment
When you meet with a New York medical malpractice lawyer, it is essential that you come prepared with the necessary documents and information that your lawyer will need to further your case. If you have any medical records, medical bills, or related forms, you must bring them to your lawyer’s attention. Besides the documents your lawyer will need, you should prepare to discuss your case in detail. Prepare specific names, dates, places, and times that relate to your case. All of this information will be needed in order to properly get your claims started.
Questions are a good method of igniting discussion with your New York medical malpractice lawyer. Prepare questions in advance to ensure that they are not left out of your discussion with your lawyer.
Evaluating Experience & Education
All lawyers in New York must meet the same basic requirements in order to represent clients as a lawyer. They must graduate from an accredited law school in the United States, pass the New York state bar examination, and pass the scrutiny of the New York Bar Association to ensure they have the proper character and fitness to practice law. While these are the basic requirements that all lawyers must have in New York, you should only hire a lawyer that has a lot of experience representing clients in medical malpractice lawsuits.
You should never solely rely on a lawyer’s advertisement when choosing a lawyer to help you. There are many sources of information that can provide you with the proper information needed to evaluate a lawyer’s credentials. Ask others in your community, other lawyers, the internet, or contact the New York Bar Association to confirm claims made in advertisements.
Personality & Values
Good New York medical malpractice lawyers will have the abilities and skills to advise you during the case and will be able to file all of the legal paperwork needed to get your case established. Medical malpractice lawyers also must be skilled negotiators, as they will be meeting with the defending lawyers to discuss settlements and agreements on your behalf. Ensure that your lawyer has all of these skills before selecting a lawyer.
Always be aware of the fees and rates your lawyer will be charging you and be cautious of unreasonable fees. While most lawyers in New York are honest and trustworthy professionals, you should always be aware of how your lawyer is representing you and whether they are acting in an unethical manner. If you are unsure of your lawyer’s behavior for any reason, contact the New York Bar Association to consult with them about your rights.
Rates, Fees & Retainers
New York medical malpractice lawyers can charge many different fees and expenses, so it is important that you discuss them with your lawyer before he or she begins your case. Always get any fee agreements in writing and contact other lawyers if you think a lawyer’s rates and fees are not reasonable.
A Contingency Fee is the generally accepted method of fee collection by malpractice lawyers. This structure pays the lawyer only at the end of the case when an award is won for the client. Typically the lawyer will collect 30% to 40% of the total award. While these fees may become very large, they help clients obtain legal services who could not otherwise pay the upfront costs.
An Hourly Rate or Flat Fee is a payment structure in which the lawyer will require upfront payment for obtaining their services. Flat fees are a one time payment and typically not used by medical malpractice lawyers. Hourly rates may be charged, which will generally be very high and require an upfront retainer. Be wary of these types of fees, as they are not typically used in medical malpractice cases and can be much more than necessary.
Interviewing your attorney
Ask the following when meeting with a New York medical malpractice lawyer:
What are the total expenses I should expect for this case?
Will I be able to recover for these damages?
What are the chances of success and how long should the case take?
Will I be subjected to additional medical tests?
When can I contact you to ask questions or get updates?
How many cases like mine have you handled and with what results?
Medical malpractice lawyers in New York are available to consult and represent you for any claims arising out of inadequate medical care you or a loved one may have received. Medical malpractice can arise from numerous types of inadequate medical care, including mistakes during surgical procedures, wrong diagnosis, improper treatment methods, or negligent care by nursing staffs or other medical professionals. If any of these have happened to you or a loved one, it is very important that you protect your rights with the help of a medical malpractice lawyer. New York has legal protections available; however it is very difficult to proceed successfully.
Medical malpractice in New York requires a showing that a medical professional acted negligently, reckless, or purposefully to harm a patient. Doctors must abide by the standard of care that is accepted by what a similar medical professional would have done in the same situation. This is a very difficult standard to prove, so it often involves many experts and tests to prove that a medical professional acted in an inappropriate manner. Contact a medical malpractice lawyer in New York to best put forth your case and achieve the best results possible.
