What does a medical malpractice lawyer do?
Medical malpractice lawyers act for patients and families harmed by negligent medical care, such as surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication errors and birth injuries.
Special rules
Many states require an expert to certify that a malpractice claim has merit before or soon after filing, and some states cap non-economic damages. Deadlines can be short, so contact a lawyer promptly. Most malpractice lawyers work on contingency.
How it works in Europe
Some European countries operate no-fault patient compensation schemes (for example in the Nordic countries and France's ONIAM) alongside the courts.
Questions to ask before you hire a medical malpractice lawyer
- Do you have medical experts who can review my records?
- What is the time limit for my claim in this state or country?
- Are there caps on damages that would affect my case?
- How do you charge, and what happens to case costs if we lose?