7 Qualities to Look for When Hiring a Medical Malpractice Attorney

Fight for the compensation you need by hiring an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Maryland! If you have suffered an injury at the hands of a medical professional, you should consult with a malpractice lawyer to discuss the merits of your case. But, what qualities should you look for in a medical malpractice lawyer

1. Trial Experience

Improve your chances of success in court and at the bargaining table by retaining a malpractice attorney with significant trial experience. No one wants to put their financial future on the line with a rookie malpractice trial attorney. During your initial consultations, you should ask about the lawyer’s total trial experience. Feel free to ask how many cases the attorneys have handled. Then, ask how many of those cases were settled or went to trial before you sign anything.

2. Relevant Expertise

Once you’ve ascertained how many of the attorney’s cases went to trial, you need to ask how many of the settled and tried cases dealt with medical malpractice. You can begin to pinpoint the attorney’s aptitude for cases like yours by asking how many of the cases dealt with a similar injury.

Inquire into the nature of the injuries suffered by the attorney’s previous clients. You need to find out if the facts of your case substantially match theirs. And, an experienced attorney should be able to provide a few anecdotes about past medical malpractice cases.

3. Double-Ues

Finding the right medical malpractice attorneys in Maryland is a time-consuming process. On the one hand, you want a medical malpractice counsel with vast experience in medical malpractice cases. On the other hand, you want a lawyer who wins.

The last thing you want to do involves hiring a very experienced medical malpractice advocate who started coasting to retirement a couple of years ago. You want wins, recent wins, and a lot of them. Don’t feel ashamed to ask the attorneys if they won their trials or negotiated big settlement amounts.

4. Medical Education

Holding an M.D. is not a requirement for becoming a medical malpractice lawyer, but it sometimes helps. For one, it means that the attorney can provide a very clear picture of where you stand. If a doctor-lawyer says you have a strong case, it may make you feel more confident about your chances.

Another benefit of finding a medical malpractice litigator that holds an M.D. involves networking within the medical community. Medical malpractice litigation in Maryland requires certification by a qualified expert for the case to move forward. A lawyer with an M.D. has access to industry networks that most lawyers do not.

5. Tenacity

Medical malpractice cases remain among the most complex and expensive types of civil litigation. So, when a doctor injures you while breaching the standard of care, you need a medical malpractice lawyer who explores all avenues and never gives up.

Hiring a tenacious medical malpractice law firm in Maryland doesn’t mean you want your attorneys to force a trial and take things to the bitter end. It means retaining attorneys who negotiate aggressively and secure large settlements.

6. Empathy

A medical malpractice trial takes years to conclude and can prove harrowing for the plaintiff. You need a medical malpractice firm that employs empathetic attorneys who can guide you through the process, provide emotional support, and manage your expectations.

Hiring a compassionate attorney can also help improve your odds of winning at trial. By coaching you through litigation, an empathetic lawyer can better prepare you to take the stand and give compelling testimony. In fact, retaining a malpractice attorney with a high emotional IQ can make or break your case.

7. Humility

Humility, decorum, and deference remain essential for your case to proceed smoothly. If the attorney appears arrogant, loud, or bombastic during your initial consultation, you may want to think twice before signing on the dotted line. One misstep at the negotiating table or in the courtroom could cause your medical malpractice case to go sideways.

Attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals all mingle together at Maryland Bar events and other social situations. There’s a good chance your attorneys know the judge, and the judge is more likely to have a positive opinion of your attorneys if they demonstrate humility.

Now that you know the top things to look for when hiring a medical malpractice lawyer in Maryland, you can schedule your first consultation with confidence. Your future depends on retaining competent malpractice legal representation. So, don’t be afraid to assert yourself with pointed questions.