According to the Civil Justice Resource Group, there are about 65,000 to 200,000 accidental deaths caused by accidents in medical care. As a patient, this is a scary number to face because it means that the chance of experiencing medical malpractice yourself or with a loved one is high. Finding a medical malpractice attorney should be your first plan of action if you run into a situation with a medical provider and end up injured, but the costs of their services can be a huge concern. Here are a few things you should know about the fees relative to medical malpractice attorney services.
Does it cost anything for the initial consultation?
Medical malpractice attorney services do not charge for their initial consultations most of the time. These meetings tend to be fairly brief and only give you an opportunity to present your information for the potential case so the attorney can decide if they would be interested in representing you. Because initial consultations are usually free of charge, it is never a bad idea to consult with several attorneys to find the best.
How much is a lawyer allowed to charge as a contingency fee?
A contingency fee can vary depending on a few different factors, but it most often falls between the 20 and 40 percent range. Some states actually have laws that outline how much an attorney's contingency fee can be for specific types of cases or for certain settlement amounts. For example, the attorney may only be able to charge a 33.3 percent contingency fee up to $300,000, and the allowable percentage will go down beyond that.
Are the fees the attorney states in the consultation negotiable?
Fees actually can be negotiable, but this is not something that most attorneys will readily advertise to prospective clients. If you have found a lower rate with another attorney that you have already consulted with, bring this up during the initial consultation and see if the attorney will work with you on their fees. If your case is especially interesting and they do believe they can help you see a successful outcome, the attorney may be more willing to work with you on their fees.
Overall, the more you understand what you should expect to be charged with a medical malpractice claim, the more comfortable you will be with the whole process. For more information about the costs and fees associated with a medical malpractice claim, reach out to an attorney in your area for advice.
After I was involved in a car accident, I knew that I couldn't go on doing my normal routine. I could barely walk, much less work, which is why I started to panic when the medical bills started rolling in. I began thinking about what I could do to make things right, and I realized that I really needed to work with a lawyer. I began talking with my lawyer about getting the compensation I needed, and he was instrumental in helping me to heal emotionally and financially. Check out this blog for great tips on working with an accident and injury attorney.