Cerebral palsy is a permanent disorder that in some instances is caused by sheer medical negligence and mistakes. Although these medical errors were probably not done on purpose, the end result is that families are left with overwhelming medical expenses that can last a lifetime. In these situations, it’s recommended to retain the services of an experienced cerebral palsy attorney so that you can file for damages against the responsible party.
How a Cerebral Palsy Attorney Can Assist You
Keep in mind that in most professions, there are many people who specifically specialize in certain areas. For example, in the medical field, one doctor may specialize in internal medicine while another physician may specialize in podiatry. The law field has numerous specialties as well. A cerebral palsy lawyer is an attorney who has in-depth knowledge and training in regards to the disorder, as well as experience taking on cerebral palsy cases. This type of attorney can help provide you the best chances of winning your lawsuit.
Can an Attorney Help Get My Medical Bills Paid?
If your baby suffers from cerebral palsy due to medical mistakes and negligence, there is a good chance that a lawyer can help you get compensation for medical bills. However, it’s impossible to say for certain until an experienced cerebral palsy lawyer looks over your case. A lawyer will, however, do their best to ensure you get the damages that you’re rightfully entitled to.
Do I Really Need a Lawyer?
Cerebral palsy lawsuits are some of the most intricate types of cases. Although an attorney isn’t required to file a lawsuit, your chances of proving your case are drastically reduced if you don’t have legal representation. The defendants will almost always retain the services of high-power attorneys who’ll do their best to disprove your case. People who aren’t familiar with the detailed process of a cerebral palsy case and those not experienced in winning these types of lawsuits usually lose their case or get extremely short-changed on the amount of damages they can get.
An attorney ensures that you have the best chances of success with your case. Most cerebral palsy attorneys understand the ins and outs of medical malpractice and know how to investigate to uncover mistakes, find witnesses, and negotiate with the defense on your behalf. If negotiations can’t be met, an experienced attorney knows exactly what to do if the case goes to trial. Although an attorney should never guarantee victory upfront, your chances of winning your case are increased dramatically with a knowledgeable and reputable lawyer.
How Do I Know if a Lawyer is Reputable?
Not all attorneys have the same experience and background, and it’s important to find a reliable and reputable cerebral palsy attorney to represent you. To begin, you can start by asking for referrals from family and friends. Sometimes there may be someone you know that went through similar experiences. If you’ve joined a cerebral palsy support group, ask trusted members if they of any reputable lawyers.
On the other hand, family and friends may not be able to provide you with a cerebral palsy referral, or maybe have a referral but the attorney just wasn’t for you. In these instances, the Internet can be invaluable.
In today’s technologically-advanced world, most reputable and experienced cerebral palsy attorneys will have their own website. When searching for a lawyer online, should always look for certain, important things when browsing their sites. For instance, the website should be loaded with detailed information regarding cerebral palsy and it should be able to answer most of your pertinent questions about the disorder.
In addition, contact information should always be prominent on an attorney’s website, with a clear and easy way to get in contact. Most people will still have questions even after reading over the website, and lawyers who are ready to help you today will always provide contact information that’s readily available.
What Damages Can a Lawyer Help Me Get?
The damages you can receive if you win your cerebral palsy lawsuit will depend on how severe the disorder is, how long your child has lived with cerebral palsy, the state you live in, and other factors. In general, however, plaintiffs who have a successful lawsuit can typically win damages for:
- Medical costs and expenses
- Reimbursement for home accommodations
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Lost wages (if applicable)
- Special education costs
- Counseling costs
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
Will an Attorney Make Sure I Win My Lawsuit?
Unfortunately, there is no way to tell upfront if you will win your lawsuit. As mentioned earlier, an experienced cerebral palsy will never guarantee right away that you will win your case.
What a reputable lawyer will do is give you a much better chance of proving your case as opposed to you going at it alone. Cerebral palsy lawsuits are extremely detailed and intricate, and the average person without a background in these types of cases can easily get taken advantage of.
Keep in mind, though, that if you have a solid case of medical negligence which led to your baby’s cerebral palsy, then you’ll have a good chance at winning your case with an experienced cerebral palsy lawyer.
How Long Will My Lawyer Work on My Case?
A cerebral palsy lawyer will work on your case until it’s completed. Patience is the key when it comes to these types of lawsuits. Although some rare cases are settled quickly, cerebral palsy cases generally take quite some time to close, typically around 18 months (sometimes longer). Of course, there is no set rule as to how long a case will take, as each are unique. Your attorney should be there, however, to guide you through the process and keep you informed of what’s going on.
I Can’t Afford to Hire a Lawyer
Most professional cerebral palsy attorneys will offer a payment plan based on a contingency-fee basis. A contingency payment plan means that you pay nothing up front to your attorney. The lawyer will get paid only when you win your case. Attorney fees can range significantly, so make sure you know what fees will be taken out of your compensation beforehand.
Additionally, when an attorney takes on your case with a contingency-based fee, it usually means they are confident that you can have a successful outcome.