We trust doctors with our lives. After all, they spend the better part of a decade learning how to practice medicine. Despite this, more than 250,000 people die each year because of errors made by doctors.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by the negligent actions of a doctor, then you’re probably considering hiring a lawyer. Is the cost of a medical malpractice attorney worth the effort, though? Read on to learn how attorney fees work in medical malpractice.
How Much Does a Medical Malpractice Attorney Charge?
When you think about hiring a lawyer, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the thought of having to pay a retainer and hourly amounts for their services. When it comes to medical malpractice attorneys, however, most work on a contingency basis.
In the legal world, attorneys who work on contingency don’t get paid unless you either settle your case or win at trial. If that happens, then your lawyer takes a portion of your award to cover their fees. Depending on the attorney you work with, that can be anywhere from 30% to 50% of your award.
It’s also important to note that many attorneys accept a smaller percentage if you settle out of court instead of going to trial. Your attorney will discuss fees at your initial consultation, so be sure to jot down any questions you have about it beforehand.
Why Should You Consider Hiring a Lawyer?
If you’re a particularly frugal person, you might wonder why you should even consider hiring a lawyer to represent you in the first place. Courts don’t require you to have an attorney to file a lawsuit, after all.
Regardless, medical malpractice is a particularly complex area of law. If you want your case to survive the opposing counsel’s attempts to get it dismissed, then you need an experienced medical malpractice lawyer on your side. It might cost you part of your award, but it also dramatically increases the chance that you get one at all.
How Long Does a Case Take to Resolve?
The amount of time it takes for your case to wrap up depends on a number of factors. First, many medical malpractice cases settle before they go to court, but even settlements can take a year or more to run their course.
If you can’t arrive at a settlement, then you’ll have to wait until a court is available to hear your case. In states like California where the courts are backed up, that might be a few years. Speak with your attorney about the potential timeline so you have some idea of when the legal process will wrap up.
Have You Been a Victim of Medical Malpractice?
A doctor’s best intentions aren’t enough to protect you from injury when they act negligently. Thankfully, a medical malpractice attorney can help you get the compensation that you deserve. Since they work on contingency, you don’t have to worry about paying for attorney fees upfront, and you can focus on healing, instead.
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