Most folks don’t consider themselves “the type to sue,” but it’s a hard truth that even less-litigious among us can suffer injury as a result of negligence. While some opt not to pursue personal injury lawsuits for various reasons, the fact remains that personal injury can cause copious pain and suffering and lead to financial, emotional and physical hardship — and that sometimes a personal injury lawsuit is the only way to get what you deserve after suffering an injury. The question, then, is how to go about getting justice for a personal injury suffered as a result of negligence.
The first step is finding the right lawyer. If you’re reading this, then you have already started on that process. Finding the right personal injury attorney may take more than just one consultation or a cursory perusing of the legal literature. Many potential plaintiffs have found personal referrals from others who have suffered the same way to be especially helpful, and with good reason. If you talk to others who have struggled and persevered in the same way that you have, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself not only more educated about pursuing a personal injury lawuit, but also more confident in your course of action. Although it is important to remember not to make a decision based solely on another person’s recommendation, becoming a part of a community that understands your pain can be tremendously helpful, and comforting — and recommendations from peers can make it easier to take the next step.
Many victims of medical negligence or malpractice opt not to sue because they “like their doctors too much.” It’s a noble enough sentiment, but a medical malpractice lawsuit will not sabotage your doctor’s medical practice — doctors carry malpractice insurance, and it is highly unlikely that your doctor will lose his license to practice medicine after a lawsuit. A medical malpractice lawsuit is obviously not a thing to be taken lightly, but frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits generally don’t make it far. When the medical bills become become too much to bear, when your resources slowly run out and when maintaining a normal lifestyle just seems out of the question — and when all of this happens due to a doctor’s mistake — then it’s time to look into finding a good personal injury lawyer. The effort involved in a medical malpractice lawsuit is minor when compared to the effort of paying off medical bills while enduring the pain and suffering and financial hardship caused by your affliction.
When it comes to picking the right medical malpractice lawyer, a few rules of thumb apply. While a lawyer’s educational background may have something to do with how well he or she will represent you, personal injury attorneys do not stop learning when they graduate from law school — the more years of experience trying personal injury cases a given attorney has, the better. It’s worth knowing, too, whether your attorney has worked more often on behalf of plaintiffs or defendants — many personal injury attorneys will have done moth, but attorneys who have primarily worked for defendants may not be the best choice for you if you’re pursuing a personal injury suit. Do not consult with a lawyer who demands payment just to determine whether he or she will take your case, but by all means consult with a lawyer — a personal injury lawsuit can be a long journey, and how much you trust and respect your attorney will be important as you take that journey together. After you have received feedback from your attorney about whether your case is worthy of trial — and not before you’ve found a personal injury attorney you trust to get you the best results in your case — you’re ready to go about the process of getting your life back.