How Can I Choose the Right Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
March 22, 2023
If you or a loved one suffered an injury or serious health complication while under the care of a health care provider, you may be feeling overwhelmed about what to do next, particularly if your medical bills are starting to accumulate. If you believe that your injury was caused by medical negligence, it is imperative that you hire an experienced lawyer.
There are many medical malpractice lawyers in Maryland, so it is important that you find one that you trust to guide you through every step of the claims process and negotiate the best possible settlement. The following steps will help you find a medical malpractice lawyer who is the best fit for you and your case.
Ask for Referrals
If you have family members, friends, or colleagues who can recommend an excellent medical malpractice lawyer, that is a great place to start. They can provide valuable insight about why they chose a particular medical malpractice lawyer and why they found them to be particularly helpful.
Do Your Research
There are a number of online sources available that will provide valuable information about any medical malpractice lawyer you may be considering, including the state bar association, local organizations, and online reviews. You can also go directly to the lawyer’s website, which will provide a detailed description of their practice, the types of cases that they handle, and whether they focus on medical malpractice.
Set Up an Initial Meeting
Keep in mind that most medical malpractice lawyers offer a free initial consultation. This allows you to meet face to face, ask questions about the firm’s fee agreement, and determine whether they are the right fit for you. In order to get the most out of your initial consultation, it is recommended that you bring the following information:
- Summary of your medical history: You do not need to bring your complete medical records, but you should provide a summary of your health before and after the injury, as well as a description of the event and any treatment you have undergone.
- Copies of medical bills: This includes any bills that you have paid directly, as well as the ones covered by your insurance company.
- Correspondence between you and your insurance company: This will help your medical malpractice lawyer determine how your insurance company is willing to handle your claim.
- Other evidence: If you had any X-rays, CT scans, or other diagnostic tests done, bring the scans and test results to the meeting. In addition, bring any photographs or videos of you before, during, and after the injury; this will provide valuable evidence.
Traits of a Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Too often, medical professionals make mistakes. If you were harmed by a medical error, you will need a skilled medical malpractice lawyer on your side. When seeking a medical malpractice lawyer for your case, you should look for the following traits:
- Medical malpractice is their area of practice. Make sure that you hire a lawyer who focuses on medical malpractice cases and has a proven track record of negotiating successful medical malpractice claims.
- Experience in medical malpractice cases. Part of negotiating a successful medical malpractice claim is understanding tactics. A skilled medical malpractice lawyer will anticipate those tactics and help clients recover fair compensation.
- A team of legal professionals on your side. It is recommended that you hire a lawyer who has the resources and support staff to ensure that your rights are protected.
- Testimonials from satisfied clients. Oftentimes, past clients who have been satisfied with their experience will provide a testimonial about why they would recommend their medical malpractice lawyer. This provides another client’s perspective, and it is a good indication that you may have a similar experience.
- Accessible and approachable. If you are pursuing a medical malpractice claim, you must feel comfortable sharing personal information about your physical and mental health, your finances, and other potentially sensitive information. It is essential that your medical malpractice lawyer is available when you need them. You should be able to contact the firm 24/7 and expect a response within a reasonable amount of time.
- Honest and straightforward. Your medical malpractice lawyer should discuss your case with you in an honest and straightforward way. You should not leave a meeting with your lawyer feeling uncertain or confused about your case. Any questions or concerns you may have should be addressed, and you should feel confident in the advice that your lawyer provides.
- Demonstrated commitment to core values. Your medical malpractice lawyer should advocate for your legal rights, represent you with respect and compassion, and work tirelessly to secure the best possible settlement outcome.
- Committed to your recovery. While it is important that your lawyer successfully handles your malpractice claim, they should also ensure that you receive the best possible care, help manage your expenses during the claim, and make decisions that address your long-term interests.
- Proven negotiation skills. The majority of medical malpractice cases are settled out of court. Your medical malpractice lawyer should have proven negotiation skills that will help you reach a successful settlement without having to go to court.
- Willing to go to court. If going to court is the only way to resolve the case, it is essential that your medical malpractice lawyer is prepared to take your case to trial and fight for the settlement that you deserve.
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Clients Who Have Been Harmed by Medical Errors
If you suffered a serious health complication while under the care of a health care professional, contact our Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. Our dedicated legal team will discuss the details of your case. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
We have offices in Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Lanham, and Owings Mills, allowing us to represent clients in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.