Finding the best medical malpractice attorney in Merrillville to work on your case can be challenging. Many people ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations or conduct their own research into qualified medical malpractice attorneys serving Lake County.
The team at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. understands how difficult this search can be. We’ve provided some advice on how to find a medical malpractice attorney, as well as some questions to consider asking this legal professional during a consultation.
To discuss your case with experienced Indiana medical malpractice lawyers, contact our Merrillville law firm online. You can also request a free case review at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. by phone at (219) 883-2852.
Why Finding the Right Medical Malpractice Attorney Matters
A strong attorney-client relationship is built on mutual trust and respect. When your family is harmed by a negligent doctor or surgeon, you need a lawyer you can trust to represent your side of the story with your best interests at heart. Your medical malpractice lawyer similarly needs to believe in your case and be willing to advocate for you and provide regular updates as litigation progresses.
We at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. cannot stress this enough: do not take this decision lightly.
Make sure you do your research and thoroughly vet any medical malpractice attorney you may wish to work with. It may be extra work, but it will be worth it for your peace of mind as you take legal action.
Reach Out to Your Family, Friends, and Colleagues for a Referral
Many people start their search for a medical malpractice lawyer by speaking with people close to them. A trusted friend, relative, or co-worker may be able to provide the names of a few attorneys who may be able to help you. At the very least, this can help you start your search with legal professionals who may have been vetted by people you know.
Ask Family and Friends Who’ve Had a Legal Matter
If a friend or relative has been through a similar situation involving bad medical care, ask them about the attorney they worked with and if they’d recommend them. You can get a firsthand account from this attorney. In addition, your friend or relative can potentially vouch for the lawyer’s character, professional conduct, and legal acumen.
Speak with Trusted Colleagues About Your Legal Options
If your friends and family can’t recommend an attorney, you can also reach out to co-workers, colleagues, and professional associates you trust. They can similarly provide insights into the lawyer and their character as you begin your search.
Check Online Legal Resources to Identify Potential Attorneys
If you’re unable to get recommendations from people you know or you want to expand your options, you can look for medical malpractice lawyers online. While searches on Google and Google Maps for “medical malpractice attorney in Merrillville, IN” will turn up quite a few results, here are a few pointers on refining your query with other online resources.
Indiana-Specific Legal Resources
If you visit the Indiana State Bar Association, they have links to locate a lawyer near you based on what type of law they practice. The Indiana State Bar Association also provides a link for low-income individuals to find affordable legal help.
We also recommend checking with the Indiana Office of Judicial & Attorney Regulation for any complaints or disciplinary actions taken against specific lawyers.
Online Legal Directories
In addition to searching for medical malpractice attorneys through the Indiana State Bar Association, you can also conduct searches on legal directories like Justia, Super Lawyers, FindLaw, Martindale, and Avvo. Many of these directory listings also include bios and links to the attorneys’ websites.
Look Up a Medical Malpractice Attorney’s Name in the News
You can check if a promising medical malpractice attorney comes up in any news stories. This is one way to find out if they’ve worked on high-profile cases and been interviewed about them. You can also use news searches to find out about a lawyer’s professional misconduct or ethical violations.
Evaluate Potential Medical Malpractice Lawyers Carefully
As you continue to refine your search for a medical malpractice attorney, you can begin doing deeper research into individual lawyers and law firms that seem promising.
Visit Their Legal Websites
Check out the websites for the medical malpractice attorneys who seem promising. Read their bios, read the relevant pages on their website about medical negligence litigation, and consider what their brand and messaging say to you.
Read Client Reviews and Testimonials
Check out Google reviews and client testimonials for the medical malpractice attorney. You can also find many reviews through legal directories. Consider both the positive and negative reviews for the attorney to get a full picture of who they are and if they’d be a good fit.
Check Social Media Accounts
Many law firms and law offices have social media accounts or channels on YouTube. Visit these social media platforms and watch a few videos of the attorney or the firm as well. This is another way to assess if they’re the right fit and someone you’d be able to trust with your medical malpractice case.
Meet with Multiple Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Consultations
Now that you’ve identified a few medical malpractice attorneys in the Merrillville area who seem promising, you’ll want to set up a consultation with them to get a feel of who they are and if they’re a good fit for your case. Many medical malpractice lawyers in the Lake County area offer free consultations, which helps relieve the financial burden of the initial meeting.
Ask the Attorney Questions That Matter to You
During your consultation with the medical malpractice lawyer, ask questions that are important for you and your family. Some questions you may want to ask include:
- How long have you worked on medical negligence cases/been a medical malpractice lawyer?
- Do you have experience with my particular type of medical malpractice case?
- Have you worked on any notable medical malpractice cases?
- What kind of communication can I expect as my medical malpractice claim progresses?
- What should I know about your legal fees and the cost of representation?
- How much could my medical malpractice case be worth?
There are no wrong questions to ask during the consultation. Get the information you need for the medical malpractice lawyer to make the most informed decision possible.
Listen to the Attorney’s Responses and Note Their Values
As you listen to the lawyer’s answers, consider the substance of what they’re saying as well as the tone of voice while they talk about these cases. Consider how their responses align with your values and your goals for your medical malpractice claim.
You have to trust that this lawyer has your best interests in mind, so pay attention to how you feel when you interact with them.
Carefully Weigh Your Options
As you narrow your choices down to a few medical malpractice attorneys, be sure to make final evaluations carefully. Consider how it feels to interact with that attorney and if they said anything that stood out to you in a positive way.
Find a Medical Malpractice Attorney Before the Statute of Limitations Expires
In the state of Indiana, you typically have two years from the act of negligence to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Once that two-year statute of limitations has passed, you will no longer be able to take legal action.
There are some exceptions to this two-year deadline. The discovery rule allows the two-year statute of limitations to begin on the date the medical issue was discovered. For example, if you learn during a routine X-ray that a surgeon left a tool or equipment in your body a year ago, the statute of limitations would start then.
Two years can pass faster than you realize. That’s why it’s best to find a Merrillville medical malpractice attorney sooner rather than later to get the legal process underway.
Why Choose Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. for Your Medical Malpractice Case
If you’ve read this far, we’d like the make the case for our own legal team as leading medical malpractice lawyers in Northwest Indiana.
We’re Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. Based in Merrillville, our medical negligence attorneys have proudly represented families and individuals throughout Lake County when healthcare professionals provide substandard care.
Experience and a Long History in Northwest Indiana
Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. was founded in 1988. For more than 35 years, we have been the region’s guardians of justice, ready to take on doctors, surgeons, hospitals, and administrators when their negligence harms patients. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience, and we collaborate on cases to find creative solutions that maximize compensation.
Success in a Notable International Medical Malpractice Case
One of the biggest medical malpractice cases our law firm has ever worked on involved Dr. Mark Weinberger: The Runaway Doctor. During the early 2000s, the Weinberger Sinus Clinic performed numerous unnecessary sinus surgeries on patients all over Northwest Indiana. Our late founding partner, Barry D. Rooth, helped secure a $55 million settlement for over 280 patients who were injured by the Runaway Doctor.
Representation on a Contingency Fee Basis
At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we work on a contingency fee basis. That means our medical malpractice attorneys only get paid if we can secure a settlement or win damages in court. If we don’t win, you don’t have to pay. Our law firm succeeds only when our clients and their families do.
Free Legal Consultations with Our Lawyers
You don’t have to worry about any upfront fees or legal costs. You can meet with our medical malpractice attorneys for a free consultation and find out if our law firm is best for your needs. We’ll provide an honest assessment of your situation and let you know what steps you can take next to secure compensation.
Get a Free Consultation with Our Merrillville Medical Malpractice Attorneys
During a free case review, we’ll be more than happy to listen and provide answers to all of your questions. The team at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. is here to help in whatever way we can. To request a free case evaluation with our medical malpractice lawyers in Merrillville, IN, contact our law firm today. You can also reach us by phone at (219) 883-2852.