Medical Malpractice Cases: Preparing For Your First Meeting With An Attorney
In Florida, victims of medical malpractice can file claims against negligent healthcare providers and recover compensation. As much as it is not a legal requirement for you to hire an attorney to help you handle your medical malpractice case in Florida, and as much as it possible for you to handle a medical malpractice case without an attorney, it is advisable that you avoid tackling a medical malpractice case without legal representation. So, if you believe you have a valid medical malpractice case, the first thing you need to do is look for an attorney. If you have a valid claim, an attorney can ensure your rights are protected throughout your case and help you get the best possible outcome.
Fortunately, when it comes to personal injury cases, you don’t have to worry about paying for an initial consultation with an attorney. This is because most personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation to potential clients. However, to ensure you make the best out of your free consultation with a personal injury attorney, you must be well prepared. Often, initial consultations will last between 30 to 60 minutes, so you want to make sure you use that time well.
Read on for tips that can help you prepare for your first meeting with a medical malpractice attorney.
Write Down All Your Healthcare Providers and Their Contact Information
As a medical malpractice plaintiff, the chances are, you have seen different healthcare providers, from hospitals to doctors, to maybe even diagnostic test centers. Before your first meeting with an attorney, ensure you write down the names of all the hospitals, doctors, and any other healthcare provider you have seen. It is recommended that you include the contact information of the healthcare providers. This is because an attorney will eventually need to ask for your medical records from all your healthcare providers.
Prepare a Summary of Your Relevant Medical Treatment
Before meeting a medical malpractice attorney for the first time, make sure you prepare a summary of your relevant medical treatment. In your summary, you want to ensure that you include information about;
- When your medical condition first arose
- Which healthcare provider(s) you visited after finding out about your condition
- What you think a hospital or medical professional did wrong
- What injury you suffered as a result of negligence
- Who you went to see to try to correct the issue (if applicable)
When preparing a summary of your relevant medical treatment, it is crucial you include information about the injury you suffered because of a healthcare provider’s negligence. Sadly, you don’t have a valid medical malpractice case if you did not suffer an injury. This is because, when it comes to personal injury law, it is not enough for a plaintiff to prove that a negligent act occurred. They also need to show that the negligent act resulted in an injury. If you did suffer an injury because of a healthcare provider’s negligence, ensure you prepare details about your injury so the attorney can help you determine if the severity of your injuries can allow you to recover compensation.
Collect Relevant Documents
As with any other consultation with an attorney, you can’t go to see a medical malpractice attorney without relevant documentation. Therefore, make sure, as part of your preparation, you gather as many relevant documents as you can. Even though the documents you need for your consultation will depend on your specific situation, some of the documents you may need to prepare include the following;
- Medical bills
- Images of your injuries, if you have any.
- Any medical records and letters from medical professionals that you may have
- Pictures of your initial condition, if possible.
- Proof of your lost earnings. For example, you can carry your pay stubs
Prepare Questions
During your first meeting with an attorney to discuss your medical malpractice case, it is crucial that you ask the attorney relevant questions. Asking an attorney relevant questions is important because it can help you understand your case better and decide whether you want to work with that specific attorney. When it comes to medical malpractice cases, potential medical malpractice clients should ask as many questions as they can. As a potential medical malpractice client, when it comes to the questions to ask an attorney during an initial consultation, you might want to touch on, among many other things;
- The attorney’s level of education or experience
- How many medical malpractice cases the attorney has handled
- How many medical malpractice cases the attorney has dealt with successfully
- How many medical malpractice cases the attorney has litigated
- The chances of settling your case
A good rule of thumb when it comes to asking attorneys questions is, “no question is a bad question.”
Contact a Naples Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you believe yours is a valid medical malpractice case and would like professional help, contact a qualified Naples personal injury attorney at The Law Office of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., today at 239-649-8050 to schedule a free consultation.
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