Top Miami, FL Medical Malpractice Lawyers Near You

Do You Have a Medical Malpractice Case?

Hospitas, doctors, and other medical staff are supposed to help patients, not injure them. Unfortuantely, when something a healthcare professional does or does not do causes a patient to be injured, he or she likely has committed medical malpractice and you may have a case.

Common Medical Malpractice Cases

Medical malpractice cases come in many forms. Some common types of medical malpractice cases include failure to diagnose medical conditions or misdiagnosis, surgical errors, anesthesia negligence, birth injuries and hospital negligence.

If you or a loved one was injured due to the fault of a medical professional, now is the time to act. Not only could you be entitled to compensation, but you could also hold the care providers responsible for their negligence. Speaking with an experienced Miami medical malpractice attorney can help you determine if you have a case by reviewing your medical records and, if needed, he or she will hire a medical expert to get the additional evidence needed to evaluate your claim.

What qualifies as medical malpractice?

A doctor, nurse, or any other health care worker's job is extremely stressful, and mistakes do happen. This makes medical malpractice hard to prove. You will need to prove that the liable party's standard of care they provided was outside the bounds of reasonable care, and that poor care led to your injuries. Successful medical malpractice cases often rely on the testimony of other expert doctors to prove that malpractice occurred.

How much is the average medical malpractice settlement?

The average medical malpractice settlement is someone in the range of $300,000-$400,000, but it's important to remember that every case is unique. The extent of your injuries and financial losses and whether your lawyer can build a compelling case will have a large effect on the amount of compensation that you might receive.

When should I get a lawyer for medical malpractice?

If you suspect that you or a loved one was the victim of medical malpractice, you should consult with an attorney as soon as possible. Even if the hospital is offering you a quick settlement, you should have your own attorney review it to make sure you are not giving away any rights. An attorney could also determine whether you have a case for more compensation.

When to Hire a Lawyer

It is in your best interest to get legal help early on in addressing your situation. There are times when hiring a lawyer quickly is critical to your case, such as if you are charged with a crime. It may also be in your best interest to have a lawyer review the fine print before signing legal documents. A lawyer can also help you get the compensation you deserve if you've suffered a serious injury. For issues where money or property is at stake, having a lawyer guide you through the complexities of the legal system can save you time, hassle, and possibly a lot of grief in the long run.

Tips on Approaching an Initial Attorney Consultation

• Use the consultation as a means of gaining a better understanding of your legal situation.
• Ask the attorney how many cases similar to yours he/she has handled. An attorney's experience and knowledge can speak to their expertise (or lack of) in addressing your situation.
• Your attorney should be able to articulate roughly how long a case like yours will take to resolve and what sort of procedures to expect.
• Determine how comfortable you are working with the lawyer and/or law firm.

How will an attorney charge me?

A reputable attorney will be very upfront about how he/she will charge you. The three most common fee structures that attorneys use to charge for their services are:

• Bill by the hour
• Contingent fee agreement
• Flat fee agreement

Depending on your specific legal situation, it's possible that only one type of fee structure is available. For instance, criminal defense attorneys almost always bill by the hour. In a flat fee arrangement, an attorney accepts a one-time payment to help you resolve your issue. With a contingent fee agreement, the client pays little to nothing upfront and the attorney receives a percentage of the money recovered if you win your case.