How to Find the Right Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Florida

Patients and their families never expect to suffer injuries at the hands of negligent medical providers, but one careless decision can leave patients with mounting bills, physical trauma, and other losses. Negligence is often a mistake or a lapse in judgment that does not adhere to the profession’s standard of care, and it often leaves victims unsure of what to do next.

If you or your loved one suffered harm due to medical negligence, you may need tips for finding the best medical malpractice lawyer. Here, our team offers some guidance for looking for a Florida medical malpractice attorney.

Vetting a Medical Malpractice Lawyer: Five Tips You Can Use

Malpractice can happen to any patient, at any hospital or facility, with any type of condition or procedure. Some effects of malpractice are immediate, while others may take time to show themselves.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your injuries, dealing with the fallout of malpractice can be a lot to handle alone. A good law firm by your side can help make this process easier to deal with. Here are some things to keep in mind when trying to find the right malpractice lawyer:

Be Ready to Answer Questions About Your Case

If you are searching for a medical malpractice lawyer in Florida, the first step is to organize some information about your own case. During an initial consultation, a good medical malpractice attorney will ask you a series of questions about what happened to you or to your loved one, and try to find out specific information about who might be a negligent actor. The more details you are able to share, the better an attorney will be able to assess your case. We recommend:

• Gathering your medical records: Make sure you include any records that deal with the incident that you suspect caused your harm.
• Creating a timeline of events: This timeline can help you organize your thoughts, records, and any details about your case you may have forgotten.
• Collecting any records of communications with providers or insurance companies: If you have emails, faxes, printouts, and other records of communication, gather this proof. These records help create a paper trail we can use to support your case.
• Listing out your damages: Think about all the ways in which your medical malpractice injuries have affected your life, and not just the physical ones. Are you having trouble sleeping? Did you develop anxiety or depression? Are you able to work anymore? Has your relationship with your spouse or other family members deteriorated since the incident? It’s easy to forget all these losses when you’re put on the spot, but writing it down can help you clearly outline the damages during your consultation.

Come Prepared With the Questions You Want Answered

An initial consultation is also your opportunity to ask questions directly to an experienced professional. Nothing is off the table. Medical malpractice law is notoriously complex, and you should take advantage of your chance to get real answers about your legal case. You may have questions like:

• How can my lawyer prove liability in a malpractice case?
• How long do I have to take legal action?
• Are medical malpractice attorneys affordable?
• How long do medical malpractice cases take?
• Do I have a strong case?
• Have you worked with similar malpractice cases?
• What compensation could I seek for a medical malpractice claim?
• What challenges do you expect with a case like mine?
• How many cases have you taken to trial?

It is often a good idea to write down your questions ahead of time. Remember, a good personal injury lawyer should be willing and able to answer all your questions.

Listen Carefully to Everything an Attorney has to Say

Pay close attention to what an attorney says during a medical malpractice consultation. Their words will give you information about how they will handle your case. A top medical malpractice lawyer will not make you promises about your case—certainly not during an initial consultation.

Look for a medical malpractice lawyer who is open and honest. If they do not have enough information about your case to answer your questions, they should be able to tell you what you need to do next.

Discuss Expectations for Payments, Costs, and Fees

A doctor or nurse’s medical malpractice has likely cost you a lot of money, and you may have concerns about the costs of hiring a lawyer. Personal injury firms typically operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay any up-front costs or fees. The law firm should cover these expenses, and these costs are reimbursed from your settlement or verdict.

During your consultation, discuss the percentage the firm will take out of your potential settlement or verdict. Ask about the predicted costs and fees, any expenses you must pay back, and other details about the fee agreement. While some malpractice firms charge a higher contingency percentage for medical malpractice cases, this is often an indicator that they are practicing at a higher level than other law firms and that their experience and skill merit a higher percentage.

Research the Lawyer and the Law Firm

Finally, it is also a good idea to do your own research to make sure that you are hiring a trustworthy medical malpractice lawyer and a reputable law firm. Among other things, check out the attorney’s standing with the Florida Bar, reviews from online legal directories, and the firm’s accolades. Another important thing to look at is whether the firm’s lawyers have held leadership positions in the legal community.

Many medical malpractice firms will also provide you with testimonials from previous clients. Your case is important, and you need an attorney who understands and will work hard for you. Ask about their communication methods and frequency, the levels of personalized service you can receive, and any questions to get a feel for the level of care and dedication they will offer you.

You should also look into the firm’s previous case results or ask about previous victories if they do not have any readily available online. While every case is unique, look at the results they are getting. Are they helping people get substantial settlements? What kinds of cases have they helped with? In fact, most general personal injury lawyers do not take medical malpractice cases to trial. You should ask if your lawyers have had medical malpractice trials, and if so, how many.

See If Our Florida Medical Malpractice Attorneys Are the Right Fit for You

At Freidin Brown, P.A., our Florida medical malpractice lawyers are here to review your case, answer your questions, and help you make informed decisions. We are widely recognized as leaders in the field, and we have extensive experience handling complex medical malpractice cases. Founding Partner Philip Freidin previously served as the president of the statewide trial lawyers association, and our firm has tried hundreds of cases in front of a jury.

Contact us today for a free and fully confidential initial consultation. Our law offices are located in Miami and Fort Myers, but we handle medical malpractice claims throughout all of Florida. We can discuss your case by phone, in person, or even over Zoom. Please call us now to get started.