5 signs you've hired a good medical malpractice attorney

Believe your medical treatment was mishandled? Here’s what you should know about choosing a medical malpractice attorney and five signs you've hired a good one.

These attorneys concentrate on a specialized area of law, namely medical malpractice, which is a legal or negligence case concerning medical issues. Because of the complexity and time-consuming nature of these cases, it’s best to choose a lawyer who excels in this area, since these cases can take years to resolve.

An online search will turn up any number of lawyers to start with. From there, you can often fill in an online questionnaire to see if the office handles your type of case.

• If you already have an attorney, ask if he or she will represent this type of case and if not, who they might suggest.

Going into your first meeting with an attorney, take an outline of your case with as many detailed notes as possible. Here are some questions to ask when meeting with potential legal representation to know if they're right for you.

1. What is their legal track record like?

See what their record looks like for wins, losses and out-of-court settlements.

• How much of their overall caseload involves medical malpractice suits?

2. What do their references say?

As you would with hiring any professional, ask for references from your potential lawyer and talk with them.

• Was the lawyer professional?
• How skilled were they?
• Were they easy to reach?

These are a few question you could potentially ask, although keep in mind that confidentiality issues may prevent your lawyer from handing over more references.

3. Do you connect with them?

If you’re not comfortable with the lawyer, take a pass. This is someone you’re going to be working with for some time.

• It’s best to start that relationship with a trusting, comfortable feeling.

4. How do their fees work?

Hiring a lawyer can be costly, so you must ask a few key questions.

• Will you be given an estimate?
• How are they paid?
• Is it hourly or based on whether they win?

5. Who will handle my case?

You don’t want a bait-and-switch situation where you meet with one lawyer you like, but end up being represented by another.

• You also want a lawyer who usually represents patients, as opposed to one who defends against medical malpractice lawsuits.

If ever you need to hire a medical malpractice lawyer, chances are it's because either you or a loved one has endured physical or emotional distress as a result of a medical procedure, treatment or intervention. By asking a few key questions, you can help to ensure your lawyer will work on your behalf to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.