If you’re a victim of medical negligence, finding a skilled malpractice lawyer is your next critical step. But how do you get a malpractice attorney to take your case in New Mexico? Fortunately, finding the right lawyer doesn’t have to feel like a leap into the unknown.
With the right approach and preparation, hiring a New Mexico medical malpractice lawyer to help you pursue justice is possible. Read on to learn more about improving your chances of getting a lawyer to accept your case.
If you have questions, please contact our team today.
Understand What Constitutes Medical Malpractice
Before you start researching how to get a malpractice attorney to take your case, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of medical malpractice.
Essentially, it involves a healthcare provider’s failure to meet the standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient.
Examples include misdiagnosis, surgical errors, improper medication, and neglect. Knowing your case’s specifics helps you articulate your experience more effectively to potential attorneys.
Document Everything
Documentation is your best ally. Start by compiling all medical records, correspondence, and other evidence related to your case. Evidence includes hospital bills, prescriptions, emails, and notes from conversations with healthcare providers.
Detailed documentation demonstrates the seriousness of your claim and provides lawyers with the necessary tools to assess your case accurately. Without any evidence, an attorney is less likely to accept your case.
Ensure You Act Within the Statute of Limitations
Timing is critical in medical malpractice cases. Like all states, New Mexico imposes a statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. In most cases, it’s three years from the date of the alleged malpractice.
Some exceptions exist that could extend the deadline. However, failing to file within this period can permanently bar you from pursuing your claim.
It’s essential to consult with a New Mexico medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you meet all legal deadlines. A lawyer can help you understand the applicable statute of limitations and work diligently to file your case promptly.
Acting swiftly not only preserves your right to sue but also helps collect fresh evidence and secure reliable testimonies, which can be crucial for the success of your case.
If you bring your case to an attorney and the statute of limitations has already passed, it’s almost certain they will decline to take your case.
Research Qualified Attorneys
Not all personal injury lawyers take medical malpractice cases, so it’s important to seek those with specific experience in New Mexico. Look for attorneys who have successfully litigated medical malpractice cases in the past. At Poulos & Coates, we’re the only law firm in New Mexico focusing exclusively on medical malpractice claims.
When comparing lawyers, review the attorney’s credentials, case history, and client testimonials to gauge their suitability. A lawyer’s success rate and experience handling similar cases can significantly influence their willingness to take on your case.
Prepare Your Case Presentation
When you contact a lawyer, prepare a concise and well-organized presentation of your case. It can make a strong impression and help the firm decide whether your case is something they want to pursue.
Outline the events, highlight the impact of the malpractice on your life, and present your documentation. Preparation shows that you are serious about your claim.
Be Honest and Transparent
Honesty is the foundation of a solid attorney-client relationship. Ensure you disclose all aspects of your case, including any potential weaknesses.
An experienced New Mexico medical malpractice lawyer can handle complex issues but will need a complete picture to strategize effectively.
Transparency also builds trust, a critical element when navigating the complexities of medical malpractice claims. If any attorney thinks you’re being dishonest, hiding something, or you will not make a good witness in court, they aren’t going to take your case.
Ask the Right Questions
When meeting with potential attorneys, asking informed questions can help you understand whether they are the right fit for your case.
Inquire about their experience with similar cases, their assessment of your case’s strengths and weaknesses, and their strategy for proceeding. Understanding their communication style and fee structure is also crucial to avoid any surprises down the line.
Understand No Case Is Guaranteed
It’s important to remember that no case comes with a guaranteed outcome. A reputable medical malpractice attorney will be honest about your case’s prospects and the challenges ahead.
This level of honesty indicates professionalism and a realistic approach to your situation. Hiring an attorney doesn’t mean the medical provider’s insurance company will offer you a huge settlement.
Be Patient and Follow Up
After presenting your case, be patient. Lawyers need time to review your information and assess whether they can successfully represent you. However, don’t hesitate to follow up if you haven’t heard back within a reasonable timeframe. A polite inquiry shows your continued interest and can prompt a response.
Why You Should Hire the Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Poulos & Coates
At Poulos & Coates, our foundation is built on over seventy years of combined litigation experience—dedicated solely to representing victims of medical negligence and their families.
Our firm’s unique composition of trial lawyers, including the rare advantage of having a medical doctor and nurses on staff, gives us a unique advantage.
Our commitment to medical malpractice litigation is unwavering. We focus exclusively on this area because we understand medical negligence’s profound impact on individuals and their families.
Through either verdict or settlement, we have secured over $300 million in gross recoveries, demonstrating our relentless pursuit of justice and compensation for our clients.
Our experience spans prosecuting claims against a broad spectrum of healthcare providers, including doctors of virtually every specialty, hospitals, clinics, nurses, pharmacies, drug manufacturers, and medical device manufacturers.
Choosing Poulos & Coates means hiring a firm that is in the courtroom nearly every day, fighting for the rights of those wronged by medical malpractice.
Our firm’s philosophy is rooted in shifting the financial burden from the victim to the negligent party’s insurers, ensuring you and your family receive the support you need to move forward.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to medical negligence, don’t navigate this challenging journey alone. Contact Poulos & Coates today, and let us put our expertise, dedication, and proven track record to work for you. Together, we can strive for justice and help you fight for the compensation you are entitled to.
Victor Poulos
Vic Poulos & Greig Coates became law partners in April of 2002, when the two medical malpractice litigators merged their offices, combining what is now over seventy years of litigation experience, to form Poulos & Coates, LLP. Licensed to practice before all State Courts of Texas, New Mexico, Iowa, and Kansas. Licensed to practice before the United States District Courts of Kansas, Iowa, New Mexico, and Texas (Western, Eastern, Southern, and Northern Districts of Texas), as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the U.X. Ax Court.
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