Medical malpractice incidents can leave you facing severe personal injuries and lifelong disabilities. When you’ve been hurt due to a medical professional’s negligence, you need to act fast and speak with an experienced attorney right away. Fortunately, most Ohio medical malpractice lawyers offer free consultations, which gives you an opportunity to explore your options for holding the at-fault parties accountable.
However, it’s important to partner with a medical malpractice attorney who has the experience and communication skills necessary to help you through this difficult process. With that in mind, here are some questions and tips to help you make the most of your consultation.
Why Your Initial Consultation With a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Matters
Medical malpractice claims can be incredibly complicated, which is why you need a seasoned attorney in your corner. These types of cases can take months to resolve and often involve heated trials.
Therefore, it’s vital that you choose a medical malpractice attorney who exhibits empathy, consistent communication, and a results-oriented approach. You may be working with them for a long time, and the outcome of your case can be directly tied to their experience.
A free consultation is an opportunity to get to know one another and learn about their approach to medical malpractice cases. They should be able to break down complex legal topics and shed some light on what you can expect in the coming months. You’ll want to walk away from your consultation with confidence that the attorney is there to fight for you.
6 Questions to Ask Ohio Medical Malpractice Lawyers
If you are looking for an Ohio medical malpractice attorney to represent you, make sure that you ask the following six questions:
1. What Experience Do You Have With Medical Malpractice Cases?
There are many different types of personal injury cases, such as car accidents, slip and falls, and premises liability. Medical malpractice cases fall under the umbrella of personal injury claims, but they are generally far more complex.
Thus, you will want to choose an attorney who has handled these types of cases in the past and achieved favorable outcomes for their clients.
2. What Are the Likely Outcomes of My Case?
Typically, a personal injury attorney will strive to obtain a fair settlement as quickly as possible. The goal is to get you the resources you need to address your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, settling a medical malpractice claim can be incredibly difficult. Historically, 80% of medical malpractice cases go to trial.
An experienced medical malpractice lawyer will be honest about the potential and likely outcomes of your claim, including the possibility of a heated battle in court.
3. How Will You Investigate the Medical Errors Involved?
Experienced Ohio medical malpractice lawyers will have a clear strategy for investigating the medical errors involved in your case. While they will need to tailor the plan based on the unique circumstances surrounding your injuries, they should be able to break down the key facets of their strategy during your consultation.
For instance, they may discuss:
- Reviewing the provider’s history of claims
- Requesting your medical records
- Hiring a subject matter expert to testify
If the attorney has a strategy in mind, they can act fast once you hire them to take the case. This is critical due to Ohio’s strict statute of limitations.
4. What Are Your Fees, and How Do You Charge for Medical Malpractice Cases?
Most Ohio medical malpractice lawyers offer free consultations and bill on a contingency basis. This means that you won’t pay anything unless they win your case. If they recover compensation for you, they will usually charge a percentage fee.
However, it’s important to verify an attorney’s fees and how they charge for their services when you meet with them. Pay particular attention to the percentage that they charge.
5. Can You Help Me Understand the Statute of Limitations in Ohio?
The statute of limitations refers to how long you have to initiate a claim for an incident. In Ohio, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is one year. This means you have to file your claim within 12 months of the malpractice incident you experienced.
A medical malpractice attorney should be able to explain the statute of limitations and how it impacts your case.
6. How Will You Communicate With Me Throughout the Case?
When asking this question, you want to determine whether the attorney uses a consistent communication method and find out how often they provide updates. Medical malpractice cases are complicated and can take several months to resolve. As a result, weeks may pass without any significant developments. Still, you want an attorney who is a great communicator so that you can be kept in the loop. After all, it is your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Ohio Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
The cost of hiring an attorney will vary based on the complexity of your case. Most medical malpractice lawyers charge a percentage fee that is contingent upon them winning your case, which means you will owe nothing up front.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Case?
Medical malpractice cases can take months to resolve, especially if your claim goes to trial. However, about 20% of medical malpractice claims are settled before trial.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
About eight out of ten medical malpractice cases go to trial. Your attorney can help determine the likelihood that your case will go to trial after gathering preliminary evidence and reviewing the facts of the incident.
Suffered an Injury Due to Provider Negligence? Contact Us Now
The Moore Law Firm has a long-standing legacy of pursuing justice for victims of medical malpractice and their families. If you or a loved one was hurt due to a healthcare provider’s negligent actions in Ohio, schedule your free consultation with our seasoned and compassionate team today.
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one as a result of another person's negligence, you deserve to be fully compensated for your losses. The simple fact is that you should not be forced to pay the price for another person's careless or reckless actions.