Jane Lamberti Sams Medical Malpractice Law Blog on Lawyers.com

You cannot afford to entrust a case as serious and complex as medical malpractice to just any attorney.  You need to be certain your attorney has the experience, track record, and resources to pursue the compensation you deserve.  Start by asking the right questions. 

• Explain your malpractice claim and ask for a quick assessment.  The most experienced medical malpractice attorneys in Atlanta can not project the outcome of the case without considering it in greater depth.  But most tell you if it is worth your time, money and energy to pursue legal action.
• Ask what percent of the lawyer’s caseload is malpractice.  The Atlanta malpractice lawyers who specialize in this area devote much of their caseload to malpractice.  As a result, they often have greater expertise and a better understanding of medical issues and terminology.
• Ask how many of the attorney’s malpractice cases progress to trial.  Malpractice lawyers in Atlanta know these cases are complicated and often settled before trial.  But you want an attorney who has experience in handling all aspects of a case, including a trial.
• Ask about other ways to resolve your case, like mediation and partial settlement.  You want a lawyer who considers all options.

• Ask for references.  Even if the attorney cannot give you confidential client names, references from other Atlanta malpractice attorneys and colleagues can tell you about the person’s ethics, loyalty, passion and trustworthiness.
• Ask about past malpractice verdicts.  Visit your newspaper’s archives to search for articles to verify what the attorney tells you. Be sure that the lawyer you choose has the experience and skill to handle your case.

• Ask about medical experts.  Expert testimony is crucial in building any malpractice case. You want to know that your medical malpractice lawyer in Atlanta has the industry contacts to support your case.
• Ask who pays the upfront costs for medical experts and research.  Upfront costs can climb to $100,000 before a case ever moves to trial.  Although most Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers work on a contingency fee and do not require an upfront retainer, not all firms have the financial resources to advance such high costs for your case. 

When you are satisfied that you have found the best medical malpractice attorney in Atlanta for your case, talk with the lawyer about your expectations of professional ethics and conduct, case updates, timely return of phone calls, and other issues of importance to you.