Medical malpractice can change a person’s life. One mistake made by a doctor or nurse can cause serious and life-threatening consequences. Not only does the patient have a long road to recovery ahead, but many of these victims never return to their normal lives.
If the negligence of a medical professional has injured you or a loved one, then it’s time to contact the best medical malpractice lawyers to learn more about your rights. You deserve an expert who can advocate for your case, helping you access the resources and compensation you need to pay the bills and recover as much as possible.
How Common Is Medical Malpractice?
Even though the United States is proud of the quality of the healthcare system, the truth is that medical negligence is quite common. Medical errors are one of the top causes of fatalities in our country, with an estimated 10% of all deaths occurring because of medical negligence.
Additionally, many other medical errors cause serious consequences, but the patient lives through the ordeal.
It’s essential that you call lawyers for medical malpractice if you are a victim of mistakes made in medical diagnosis, treatments, or care. You need legal help to prove the negligence and negotiate a fair settlement for your case.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice can occur in different forms. The simple explanation is when a medical provider fails to provide a patient with appropriate treatment or doesn’t take appropriate action to help the patient as needed. When a medical provider gives services substandard to the norms in the industry, and it causes injury, harm, or death, the situation can be classified as medical malpractice.
Typically, there is a provable medical error when medical negligence or malpractice happens. The best medical malpractice lawyers not only help to identify the error, but your lawyer can also gather evidence to prove that negligence occurred. Examples of medical malpractice include:
- Misdiagnosis, resulting in improper or delayed treatment
- Surgical errors causing complications during or after the surgery
- Operating on the wrong site
- Leaving medical equipment inside the patient
- Avoidable birth injuries
- Anesthesia errors resulting in nerve damage or death
- Failing to provide the correct treatment or procedure
- Failing to monitor a patient adequately
- Not ordering necessary tests
Because medical malpractice can occur in many different ways, it’s impossible to put together a comprehensive list. But if you or a loved one have been injured by medical negligence or errors, the best medical malpractice lawyers can review your case and help you determine the best way forward.
How to Find the Best Lawyers for Medical Malpractice
When you are a victim of medical malpractice, finding a good lawyer is essential. You need someone who has experience with other similar malpractice cases. Not only will good lawyers for medical malpractice advocate on your behalf, but they also know the ideal strategies for building your case and proving that negligence occurred. You need a lawyer who can gather and present evidence in court in a way that a medical expert will understand.
Remember that healthcare providers have good legal protection and insurance. The goal is to minimize payouts, which means you could be leaving a lot of money on the table if you try to negotiate the settlement on your own. Instead of settling for subpar compensation, hire medical malpractice lawyers in Louisiana for assistance.
Here are a few tips for choosing the best lawyers for your case:
Look for Local Lawyers in Louisiana
Hiring a local provider is an ideal solution. Not only is it more convenient to meet with a lawyer in your local area, but you also need someone with a thorough understanding of local laws.
You can find lawyers online, and it’s also a good idea to ask friends and family to see if they have recommendations for the best medical malpractice lawyers in the area. Another option is to contact an attorney you have already worked with on an unrelated legal topic (such as business or real estate law) and ask if they have referrals for a lawyer specializing in medical malpractice.
Evaluate the Lawyer’s Reviews and Reputation
Now that you have created a shortlist of lawyers for medical malpractice cases, it’s time to narrow down your options. Look at reviews and reputation to learn more about the legal team and its history. A lot of good online reviews can be a positive sign but read through the reviews to see if they are legitimate.
Ask the lawyer for information about the success rates and reputation. For example, you might find out about compensation and win rates for other cases similar to your situation.
Discuss Fees and Have an Agreement in Writing
Legal fees can add up, which is why you need to understand the fee structure before moving forward with legal services. Most of the time, the best medical malpractice lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that you don’t need to pay any money upfront. Instead, the fees are paid on a successful outcome for your case.
If you receive compensation for your medical malpractice case, your lawyer will take a pre-determined settlement amount. Usually, the agreement is a percentage of the money. So, the lawyer is motivated to help you get the biggest payout possible because your compensation amount has a direct impact on their commission.
Find out if you will need to pay for other legal fees upfront, such as expert testimony, travel expenses, etc.
Schedule a Consultation Before Choosing a Lawyer
Don’t jump into an agreement before you have a chance to talk to the lawyer. It’s important to ensure that your chosen representation is a good fit for your unique needs. Often, medical malpractice patients choose to talk to multiple lawyers, and then they decide on the legal team to hire.
When you need the best medical malpractice lawyers in Louisiana, Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C. is the team to call. Reach out to our office to schedule a consultation and learn more about available services: (504) 522-2304.
