If you or someone you love has suffered from medical malpractice or misdiagnosis, you may be able to file a claim for damages. The first step is a free consultation with a reliable New Mexico malpractice attorney, like the team at Hunt Law.
However, it’s best to be prepared to make the most of your consultation session and ensure that your legal team has all of the information they need to give you an accurate assessment of your options.
Here are four tips to help you prepare for your first meeting with your medical malpractice attorney.
1. Provide as Many Details as Possible
It’s important to share as much information as possible so that your medical malpractice lawyer understands the details of your case. Try your best to explain events in chronological order, and if you can, write notes before you come to your appointment.
It’s okay to feel emotional when talking about the pain and suffering you or your loved one endured because you didn’t get the medical care you needed. However, try to focus on the facts and refrain from bad-mouthing the doctors or nurses.
2. Ask Important Questions
No question is a bad question, and your malpractice lawyer knows that the process can be confusing. Feel free to ask the Hunt Law team anything! However, your consultation is a two-way interview, so make sure that you hire a lawyer with experience. You want a capable attorney to lead you through this process.
Some good questions to ask are:
- How many cases like mine have you handled?
- How long have you specialized in malpractice cases?
- What are some of the settlements and cases you’ve won?
- What can I expect from the lawsuit process?
- How are your fees assessed?
Many people may settle quickly in medical malpractice cases, thinking that hiring a lawyer is too expensive.
However, many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you typically won’t pay attorney’s fees unless your case is settled or won.
3. Bring All Relevant Documents
Your medical records and any emails or records of phone conversations are all part of the evidence that your medical misdiagnosis lawyer uses to prove your claim. Bring all relevant information to the consultation so that your lawyer can fully understand your circumstances.
You should bring:
- All medical records
- X-rays, diagnostic images, and any other photos or videos of your condition
- All medical bills and insurance information
- Paycheck stubs, as you may be reimbursed for time you missed at work
Don’t be shy about showing your lawyer your private medical information. They need to understand what happened to best pursue your claim. Additionally, all consultations with a lawyer are confidential and private.
Medical malpractice can affect all areas of your life, from your physical health to your ability to enjoy your favorite activities and even your career prospects.
4. Be Honest
Tell your lawyer the truth, and don’t be afraid to hold anything back. Your malpractice attorney crafts the best defense when they have all the facts.
Even if you don’t “look like the good guy” or feel like the misdiagnosis was your fault, it’s your lawyer’s job to advocate for you — no matter your circumstances. If you withhold information and there’s a last-minute surprise at your trial, it can derail your claim.
Do you need legal representation for your malpractice claim?
If you need reliable, trustworthy, and successful legal representation, call the team at Hunt Law.
We specialize in helping people just like you get the settlement they deserve after a misdiagnosis or medical malpractice. We offer services in Northern New Mexico, including Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Raton, Roswell, Los Alamos, and Las Vegas.