Choosing the Right Medical Malpractice Attorney in Indiana: Tips and Considerations

malpractice lawsuits

Who you choose to represent you is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in an Indiana medical malpractice claim. Not only must you show how your doctor’s actions caused your injuries, but you must also show that your doctor’s actions don’t align with what another doctor with similar training and experience would have done in the same situation. That’s a high legal bar to clear, and not all personal injury attorneys are prepared to handle these complex cases. If you don’t know how to choose a good medical malpractice lawyer, you might not recover the money you deserve.

How do you choose the right medical malpractice attorney, then? Contact the Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson to get started with a consultation.

Tips for Choosing the Right Medical Malpractice Attorney

Here are three essential traits to look for when choosing a medical malpractice attorney:

Look for a Lawyer with Experience with the Indiana Patient’s Compensation Fund

One reason to hire an experienced medical malpractice attorney is that a seasoned lawyer is more likely to understand the specifics of the Indiana legal system. For example, the Indiana Patient’s Compensation Fund (PCF) plays a critical role in all medical malpractice cases filed in the state. By law, doctors in Indiana are only responsible for $500,000 in compensation for any individual act of malpractice. The PCF pays the remainder of the claim, up to $1.3 million. This means the maximum compensation available in most Indiana medical malpractice cases is $1.8 million. Proving the severity of your losses and maximizing your compensation requires detailed evidence and experience handling Indiana PCF claims.

Attorney Kelley J. Johnson has over 20 years of legal experience handling medical malpractice cases and Indiana PCF claims. Attorney Johnson knows how the system works and how to help you make a persuasive case for compensation. Johnson and her legal team can manage all the legal processes and procedures in your case to ensure you file your claim on time, meet the requirements for compensation, and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Look for a Lawyer with a Singular Focus on Medical Negligence Cases

In general, hiring a specialized attorney is better than choosing someone who handles many types of cases. This principle is particularly relevant in Indiana medical malpractice cases, as these cases involve complex scientific concepts, legal minutiae, and ruthless insurance companies. You need a lawyer who understands not just the legal aspects of your case but also the medical ones. You also want an attorney who knows what evidence to look for and how to deploy it to help you make a compelling argument.

You might think this means you need a personal injury attorney. In truth, you need a lawyer who focuses solely on medical negligence claims, as that narrow focus means they know these cases inside and out. The good news is that Attorney Kelley J. Johnson has devoted her career to Indiana medical malpractice cases. Our firm’s staff includes a nurse, which helps us better understand your injuries and their potential complications. By concentrating on medical malpractice claims, we’re ideally suited to provide the compassionate yet aggressive representation you need.

Make Sure Your Medical Malpractice Lawyer Has Sufficient Resources to Handle Your Claim

One last factor to consider if you’re wondering how to find a medical malpractice lawyer is to make sure your attorney has the resources to help you recover maximum compensation. These cases can be expensive and time-consuming, and you don’t want your lawyer quitting halfway through because they’re outmatched by the insurance companies. Similarly, you want a lawyer with access to scientific and medical expert witnesses who can speak on your behalf. Without these experts, your Indiana medical malpractice attorney might struggle to convince a judge or jury that your injuries are your doctor’s fault, reducing your chances of recovering compensation.

Attorney Kelley J. Johnson routinely works on these cases with nationally known medical and scientific experts. Our team knows how to make a persuasive case to a judge or jury, and we won’t back down from a tough fight. You can trust our firm to stand by your side.

Because most medical malpractice attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, a lawyer can get to work immediately on your case, but you won’t have to pay any fees until they recover compensation on your behalf. Our law office offers free consultations. When you call for yours, we can discuss our fee structure and potential costs and how they are handled until your case concludes.

How to Find a Good Medical Malpractice Attorney

If you’re still wondering how to choose a medical malpractice attorney, these tips can help you narrow down your options and find the right medical malpractice lawyer for your case:

  • Results Matter – You want a law firm with a proven track record of success. Look for a medical malpractice attorney who has secured settlements and verdicts in these types of cases. It’s more than fair to ask a lawyer about their prior results in medical malpractice cases. In fact, they’ll probably expect it. If an attorney has no experience with medical malpractice claims or has not recovered significant compensation for their clients, it’s time to look elsewhere. The Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson has a strong success rate in medical malpractice cases. Our team understands medical malpractice laws and methods to present compelling legal arguments.
  • Find a Lawyer You Get Along with and Trust – Your lawyer doesn’t need to be your best friend. However, your case might take months or longer, so you want someone you get along with. Some lawyers have more friendly and outgoing personalities, while others have a more reserved and detached approach. Neither option is wrong, but you want a lawyer whose demeanor matches your needs. Similarly, you want an attorney you feel comfortable with and trust, as you need them to advocate for your rights and hold your healthcare providers accountable. Consider your lawyer’s communication style when determining who is the right lawyer for your case.
  • Look at Professional Credentials and Honors – Legal rating agencies and professional groups often award successful practices for their efforts. These awards, along with any professional certifications they have, can help you gauge an attorney’s effectiveness and what their peers think of their work.

You can also read client reviews or request a free case evaluation to get a better sense of what it would be like to work with a particular attorney.

Contact the Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson to Find Out if We’re the Right Fit for You

The attorney you choose to represent you in your medical malpractice lawsuit can make all the difference in your case. The Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson proudly fights for victims of medical negligence in Indiana. If you sustained a medical malpractice injury, we’re happy to discuss your case at a free initial consultation. Call now or complete our contact form to learn more about how we’ll put our extensive experience and our exclusive focus on medical malpractice claims to work for you.