5 Tips for Finding the Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Oregon
If you or a loved one has suffered due to medical malpractice, finding the best medical malpractice lawyer is essential. You may know you need representation, but how do you find the right one? This can be an overwhelming time, without the added stress of worrying about how to find representation and file a medical malpractice claim. The right lawyer will help you navigate these difficulties while fighting for fair compensation.
Medical malpractice cases are complex and technical, and medical teams are often represented by attorneys and insurance companies on their payroll. You will need a lawyer with relevant experience in this specialized field, as well as a good rate of success.
Extensive medical bills and pain and suffering caused by medical malpractice demand a chance at fair compensation to cover these fees and help work toward healing. If you live in the Oregon area, below is a helpful guide to finding the best medical malpractice lawyers in Oregon.
1. Ask for Recommendations
In order to find the best medical malpractice lawyer, you must first begin compiling a list of potential lawyers. But where do you find good lawyers in the area? Often, the best way to find lawyers with good reputations and experience is to ask for recommendations. There are several ways you can find helpful recommendations.
You can start with the bar association. Your local bar association should be able to provide a list of injury law firms in the area. You can either contact them via their website or through their listed number.
Online searches are also a good resource, though they can be more difficult to sort through due to an over-saturation of options. When looking online, it’s important to check reviews for any malpractice lawyer you are considering. Look for testimonials and reviews from past clients. You can also use the internet to broadly ask if any friends, family, or trusted online communities have experience with a lawyer they would recommend.
Finally, take advantage of the professionals in your area. You can check with a primary physician, your insurance company, and even attorneys in other specialties. These professionals may have direct or indirect experience with good lawyers in the area.
2. Review their Background
Once you have made a list of lawyers in your area, it’s time to narrow down the list to the most qualified for your case. This can be accomplished by reviewing their backgrounds: what type of lawyer are they and what kind of reputation do they have within the legal community?
Essentially, there are two types of medical malpractice lawyers: lawyers who represent individuals wronged by medical malpractice and lawyers who defend doctors or insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a misdiagnosis, surgical error, medication mistake, or another form of malpractice, you will need a plaintiff’s lawyer.
Once you have determined they are the right type of lawyer for your case, look for client reviews and a history of their past performances within the legal community. You can check with the local bar association to see if any corrective measures were taken for the lawyer in question or if they are in good standing. Also, check to see if they are a member of a personal injury trial association and if they’ve held leadership positions or received any accolades.
3. Look for Relevant Experience
The best medical malpractice lawyers in Oregon will have specialized experience in the field. Medical malpractice is a technical and complex area of law because it requires extensive knowledge in both medical and legal matters. This requires a lawyer with not only a lot of experience but also experience specifically in medical malpractice. They need to have an extensive understanding of technical information and standard medical procedure and be equipped to effectively handle procedural matters unique to medical malpractice cases.
Look for information regarding malpractice on their website: what is their education? Have they published any examples of successful case studies? Do they have a medical background? Check their biographies and look for articles or blogs detailing their experience with medical malpractice.
4. Ask the Right Questions
Law firms offer free consultations. If you have a few lawyers you are considering, take advantage of the free consultation and ask the right questions. How many medical malpractice cases have you handled? What types of medical malpractice cases do you have experience in? How many of these have you won? How long have you worked in the field of medical malpractice? How much of your time is devoted to personal injury cases? What was the outcome of your most recent medical malpractice case?
How these questions are answered will determine if the lawyer has the time, experience, and interest to properly handle your case. It’s important to establish not only what type of experience they have but also their success rate.
If you are ready to consult with the best medical malpractice lawyers in Oregon, consider Warren Allen LLP. We offer sound legal advice and representation for people who have experienced personal injury. Our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping you receive compensation and the best resolution possible.
5. Discuss Fees
Finally, it’s important to have a clear understanding of how your potential lawyer handles fees. Most medical malpractice lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no fee unless there is a favorable result—your case settles or you win in court. The lawyer will then take a fixed percentage of the recovery, or the amount paid to you. If there is no win, there is no fee arrangement.
However, some lawyers and firms may have other costs related to your case. It’s important to discuss their fee structure before hiring. A reputable firm will be transparent with its costs and help you understand if you are responsible for any costs.
These tips will help you find the right lawyer for your specific situation. Hiring the best lawyer will help set you on the path to recovery and healing.