Top Tips for Hiring a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Ontario
According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, one out of every eighteen patients admitted to hospital in Canada has suffered avoidable harm during their stay.
Our doctors and nurses do a fantastic job under severe pressure. But sometimes, people make mistakes. And if they do, it’s unfair that we should have to foot the bill for the consequences.
If you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice, then you’re going to need a good lawyer. But with so many choose from, how can you be sure you have found the best medical malpractice lawyer for your case?
Read on as we take a look at some top tips for hiring a medical malpractice lawyer in Ontario.
Referrals and Reviews
One of the first things you should do is speak to friends and family.
If someone has been through a medical malpractice case themselves, they will have first-hand knowledge of how good their lawyers were. You should still research any lawyer that has been recommended to you.
If you don’t know anyone who has been through a similar case, then the next best thing is to take a look at online reviews. Take the very positive and the very negative with a pinch of salt: some may not be genuine and there will inevitably be some bad reviews.
Contact the Bar Association
Another great place to find information on medical malpractice lawyers is via the Canadian Bar Association.
Not only will they be able to provide you with details of lawyers who work in medical malpractice, but you will also be able to check up on whether specific lawyers remain in good standing. It will help you to eliminate any lawyers who it is best to avoid.
Make a Shortlist
After doing your research, try to narrow down your choice to three or four firms.
Use the information you have found in your reviews and testimonials. Take a look at their websites to confirm that they specialize in medical malpractice.
The more you research, the more you should get a feel for which firms are most likely to be able to help you with your case.
Schedule a Meeting
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, contact the firms to schedule a meeting.
There is only so much you can learn from online research. At some point, you will need to meet them face-to-face so that you can ask them questions specific to your own case. If they can’t schedule a meeting on short notice, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing; a good lawyer should be working hard on their current cases.
Find Out Their Caseload
Most law firms will work in a number of different practice areas.
The last thing you want is a lawyer who specializes in other fields and does very little work on medical malpractice. They will not have the specific skills or expertise to do your case justice.
So ask your lawyer what proportion of their work is in the field of medical malpractice. It should be a significant portion of their caseload.
Ask About Fees and Costs
You should find out up front what the financial implications will be.
Any good lawyer will allow you to pay on a contingency fee basis. This means that you pay no money at all up front. Only when they win your case or reach a settlement will the lawyer take a percentage of the compensation to cover their fees.
If a lawyer is unwilling to offer this, then it is likely that they are not confident that they have the skills to win your case.
Are They Willing to Go to Trial?
Medical malpractice cases will usually go one of two ways: either the case will be settled, or it will go to trial.
Some lawyers are renowned for settling cases early rather than facing the additional work and effort of having to go to trial. But a firm that has a reputation for settling only is unlikely to be able to negotiate you a good deal, as the opposing team will be well aware of it.
So ask if your lawyer is willing to go to trial on your behalf. Their answer should always be yes.
Have They Dealt with Similar Cases?
Medical malpractice is a very broad term that covers a wide range of different forms of harm. It includes everything from physical injury to lack of medical consent.
So you should always ask if your medical malpractice lawyer has experience with cases that are similar to yours. Obviously, no lawyer will have covered every possible event. But if they have had previous cases that were somewhat comparable to your own, then they will already have the expertise and medical knowledge that is required for your case.
If a lawyer has little experience in anything remotely like your case, then they might not be the right choice for you.
Do They Have Access to Medical Witnesses?
The vast majority of medical malpractice cases end up going to trial.
And these trials will almost always involve a jury. Since members of a jury are highly unlikely to have any medical expertise, it is vital that your lawyer is able to call an expert medical witness to explain clearly and simply the facts in your case.
So ask your lawyer if they have medical witnesses that they work with, and how successful they have been in previous cases. These witnesses could make the difference if your case goes to trial.
Are You Looking for a Great Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
If you’re searching for a high-quality medical malpractice lawyer, then look no further.
Our medical malpractice firm in Toronto has all the experience, knowledge, and skill needed to handle your case, no matter how tough. Gary Mazin, the founder of Mazin & Associates, PC has been fighting for the rights of personal injury victims for over fifteen years. He was voted the number one Toronto personal injury lawyer by Navigate magazine.
If you would like to know more about the services we offer, then please do not hesitate to contact us today.
