Your choice of an experienced Iowa medical malpractice attorney can mean the difference between receiving the compensation that you deserve and being stuck with unpaid medical bills. If you or someone you love has suffered injury or death at the hands of a medical professional, you need to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
In this video, I’m going to tell you some of the absolute wrong ways to pick an attorney, so hopefully you won’t make these mistakes.
Don’t Just Hire the Attorney Down the Street
Experienced medical malpractice attorneys are relatively rare in Iowa. What many people don’t realize is that as long as an Iowa medical malpractice attorney is licensed to practice law in Iowa, he or she can file a lawsuit on your behalf anywhere in the state. The vast majority of business conducted with your attorney nowadays can be done over the phone, through mail, and through email. This means you’ll rarely have to drive to the attorney’s office and therefore save both time and money. It’s important that you conduct a statewide search in looking for a qualified medical malpractice attorney so you have the best chance of winning your case.
Don’t Settle for the First Lawyer Who Takes Your Call
One of the biggest mistakes people make is calling only one law office, or only talking to the first lawyer who calls them back. The first person to call you back may be knowledgeable, but unless you have others to compare them to, it can be difficult to tell. You should conduct online searches or use the phone book to make a list of attorneys, then call each one and ask them for written information about medical malpractice. This will allow you to review each attorney’s qualifications carefully and without any pressure to sign paperwork.
Don’t Hire the Only Lawyer You Know
Just because an attorney helped you with your divorce or did a good job on your drunk driving charge does not mean they are qualified to handle a medical malpractice case. Some of the best Iowa medical malpractice attorneys have highly specialized practices that deal specifically with personal injury. You are not likely to find these attorneys handling criminal law, family law, or other matters. You can use the lawyer you already know as a resource in finding an experienced malpractice attorney, but your search should not end there.
Meet the Attorney in Person Before Hiring Them
Before hiring a malpractice attorney, it is vital that you sit down with them in person and decide whether they will be a good fit for you. You need to be able to trust your attorney and feel comfortable with him or her. In a medical malpractice lawsuit, it may be necessary to discuss personal and private details of your life with your attorney. If you are not comfortable with this person, you will not tell them everything they need to know to work toward the best possible outcome. Do not be afraid to ask them questions that you feel are important to you or your case.
If you have any questions or want to know more, order our free Law Guide to Iowa Medical Malpractice Claims. This guide will give you answers to some of the most common questions that people have about medical malpractice cases.
