How to Find the Best New York Medical Malpractice Lawyer For You
Mistakes in healthcare are more common than we care to admit. In fact, these errors are a leading cause of death and injury in the US. If you fall victim to such cases, you’ll need to find the best New York medical malpractice lawyer.
The details of medical malpractice are always shocking. How can trusted practitioners act negligently when someone’s life is at stake? Some of the prevalent types of malpractice include:
- Failed or delayed diagnoses
- Surgical errors
- Childbirth injuries
- Dosage or medication errors
- Infections at medical facilities
Unfortunately, patients seeking compensation don’t know how to find a top New York medical malpractice lawyer. Read the following guide to learn how.
Qualities of a Top New York Medical Malpractice Lawyer
The best people stand out in every profession. Here are some of the qualities you should look for in a New York medical malpractice lawyer:
1. Research, Investigation, and Analytical Skills
Your lawyer must know how to research, investigate, and analyze your malpractice case. It is easy to lose if the victim’s claim isn’t presented with all the relevant facts.
2. Great Listening and Public Speaking Skills
Lawyers must absorb all the details and information crucial for the case. Moreover, they must have the public speaking skills to outline their claim. They must also be responsive to contact from the client.
3. Creativity and Logical Thinking
A top lawyer brainstorms possible solutions to your problem. They use logical and reasonable arguments in the case.
4. Have Interpersonal Skills
Victims of medical malpractice are looking for someone who empathizes with them. They need a lawyer they can connect with and share their problem. Lawyers must be able to build trust with their clients.
5. Perseverance and Dedication
Succeeding in the legal profession requires perseverance, dedication, and patience. Top lawyers build experience over many years of practice. They also learn to be strong by putting in long hours of research to win their cases.
You now know what to look for in a lawyer. Keep reading to learn how to find the best New York medical malpractice lawyer.
Tips for Finding a New York Medical Malpractice Lawyer
New York gets thousands of new lawyers every year. Thus, it’s hard for a medical malpractice victim to know where to find the best one. Here are some ideas to help:
Get Referrals
Many businesses grow through referrals. This pushes them to offer great services to their customers. As such, word of mouth is a good option when looking for a New York medical malpractice lawyer.
They can ask their family and friends to refer a lawyer they know. This eliminates the need to build trust between the lawyer and the client. The client will know what to expect from the lawyer.
Other people to ask include your insurance company or a legal officer in your place of work. Insurance companies are familiar with the top lawyers in the state and can recommend a few to you. Legal officers know other good lawyers, perhaps even from their Alma matter.
Check Online Resources
A quick web search will bring results for lawyers in your area. Check resources such as Nolo or the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Find lawyer reviews in sites such as LegalZoom. Confirm whether the lawyer has won awards or if they are experts in their field.
Ask the Local Bar Association
The local bar association has the names of top lawyers in the medical malpractice niche. Ask them for those contacts. Get the names of the current or previous presidents and ask them for a recommendation.
Use the Yellow Pages
Go through the yellow pages and list every top New York medical malpractice lawyer you find. Note their contact details, call them, and book appointments.
It is important to meet the lawyers in person. It is easy for people to create a good impression online. Meeting them in person will give you a feel of who they really are.
Ask questions about prices, expertise, and success in dealing with medical malpractice cases. They are not the right lawyers for you if they don’t win any cases.
Find out what their relationship is with former clients. If possible, ask for permission to call their former clients. Ask these former clients about their experience dealing with the law firm.
Make sure the lawyers are not only qualified but also have empathy. If they empathize with you, they will fight for you.
Ensure you are as comfortable around your lawyer as you are with your doctor. You must be able to share anything relevant to the case without fear or shame.
Try Community Programs
Some community programs provide free legal advice to the locals. Visit one of these program sites and ask for recommendations. You can hire one of the volunteer lawyers if they are in the medical malpractice field.
Review Attorney Websites
Top law firms now have an online presence. They are building websites and participating on social media. Use these to gauge their skills, educational background, cases won, and client testimonials.
Check the website quality to see how much effort they put in being professional. If it is a professional website, chances are that is how they will handle your case as well. Also, see how they relate to people on social media.
Consider the Size of the Firm
Big firms only want to hire high-quality lawyers. That means if you are looking for a top law firm, you won’t go wrong by looking at its size. The only downside is that it may be expensive to use their services.
Smaller firms may be more personable than bigger firms. You might find their client service is better as well. Consider these factors when looking for a good lawyer.
Get a Free Consultation
Understand these medical malpractice cases are painful to deal with. Remember, what you are doing will benefit you and others. You just need to find top lawyers to handle your case
If you follow this guide, you’ll not only be able to find a competent lawyer, but one who also connects and empathizes with your situation.
At the Law Office of Joseph M. Lichtenstein, we are medical malpractice specialists. Contact us today for a free consultation.