Steps to Take When Hiring a Lawyer for Cerebral Palsy Cases

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition that lasts a lifetime and interferes with the control of movement, muscle tone, and posture. It is commonly the result of injury to the brain that takes place before, during, or very shortly after birth. If CP is a consequence of medical negligence or mistakes made during delivery, parents have the right to file a lawsuit for cerebral palsy and seek compensation. However, the process of dealing with the legal system in these cases can be very complicated and stressful. Thus, the recruitment of a seasoned cerebral palsy attorney is necessary. 

In the present blog post, we will take you through the critical steps you ought to follow when engaging a lawyer for cerebral palsy cases, paving the way for you to find the proper legal professional that will assist you in obtaining compensation for your child's future needs related to CP. 

Step 1: Realize the Need for Specialized Legal Assistance

The reality is that not every attorney is up for dealing with cerebral palsy cases. Medical malpractice, birth injuries, and neurological conditions are very niche areas of the law that only a few lawyers have mastered. Notably, while general personal injury lawyers might take up to date knowledge in a broad sense, it is wise to go for the cerebral palsy expert who specializes in lawsuits dealing with birth injuries and medical malpractice cases. 

A lawyer working in a specific area will present a clearer picture of the conditions surrounding the case and will be able to: 

    • Have a good grasp of the medical issues that come with cerebral palsy 

    • Collaborate with medical professionals who will be able to tell the injury's severity 

    • Conduct the legal proceedings and use the tactics specific to CP cases 

Getting a cerebral palsy attorney who has been practicing in this field for some time and successfully wins similar cases will not only enhance your chances of success but also guarantee you the top-notch legal counsel that you deserve.

Step 2: Research Potential Lawyers and Law Firms 

Once you've made up your mind about hiring a lawyer with a specialization in cerebral palsy cases, the next thing to do is to thoroughly research the area. You should search for the firm or attorney that will offer the best legal assistance in cerebral palsy cases and medical malpractice trials. The following qualities should be looked for in a lawyer while conducting your research: 

    • Experience in cerebral palsy cases: It is preferable to have a lawyer who has dealt with successful claims for and knows all three aspects, medical, legal and financial, of such cases. 

    • Track record of success: Examine the results of the cases to see how the lawyer has succeeded in obtaining settlements for clients in lawsuits over cerebral palsy. 

    • Client reviews and testimonials: The lawyer's competence and approach can be gauged through reading reviews of other families who have dealt with him/her. 

    • Specialized knowledge: It is important that the lawyer not only has a strong grasp of the medical side of cerebral palsy but also is in close arrangement with medical experts to empower the case. 

Most law firms will have websites or profiles online where you will be able to obtain information regarding their areas of practice, the experience they have, and the results they have had in the past. It is also possible to get suggestions from support groups, other parents with kids suffering from cerebral palsy, or even from trusted professionals like pediatricians.

Step 3: Schedule a Consultation

Once you have your list of possible attorneys narrowed down to just a few, arrange meetings with the ones who catch your interest the most. The majority of cerebral palsy lawyers provide free initial consultations, that could be an extremely beneficial occasion to: 

    • Visit your case through the perspective of details 

    • Know your legal rights and options 

    • Get to know the lawyer’s expertise as well as manner of dealing with cases similar to yours 

    • Have an idea of how the lawyer communicates and then decide whether you are comfortable working with him/her 

You should not fail to confirm their expertise in cerebral palsy cases during the discussion, and at the same time, ask about the procedure that they use for dealing with such cases. Similarly, inquire about the possible period of time for getting the resolution and what the attorney’s assessment of the winning chances is. 

Step 4: Evaluate the Lawyer’s Comprehension of Your Requirements 

Your attorney should not only be aware of the laws but should also be a person who can perceive the difficulties that families go through when they are trying to cope with cerebral palsy. A lawyer committed to serving your legal needs should be able to take your position with compassion and should be able to relate to the financial, emotional, and physical burdens that your child and family are likely to bear for a long time because of cerebral palsy. 

Reflect on the below mentioned questions during the session: 

    • Is it characteristic that the lawyer takes his or her whole time to listen and to grasp the problem? 

    • Can he/she break down the legal procedure in such a way that you understand it? 

    • Does he/she reveal tenderness and worry about your child's health? 

    • Does he/she tend to be elaborate while responding to your inquiries and taking care of your worries? 

The ideal cerebral palsy lawyer is a person that you can trust and feel comfortable with, because the entire process is likely to be both emotionally draining and legally challenging.

Step 5: Review the Lawyer’s Fee Structure

A lot of cerebral palsy compensation attorneys charge their clients by the percentage of the reward or court settlement basis which implies that they do not collect any fees from clients beforehand. If they narrowly win the case, then, and only then, the sum taken by them will be a certain portion of the amount that is awarded. This is perfect for those families that do not possess sufficient financial resources to pay legal fees beforehand. During the consultation, be sure to ask these questions: 

    • How will the lawyer's fees be structured (percentage of the settlement or award)? 

    • Are there any additional costs or expenses (e.g., expert witness fees, court filing fees, etc.)? 

    • When and how will the lawyer get paid? 

Before moving forward, make sure that you comprehensively understand the fee structure. A good lawyer will not only tell you but also show you with an agreement the costs that will be involved and the payment terms. 

Step 6: Examine the Lawyer’s Resources and Network 

In the case of cerebral palsy, the plaintiff’s side may need to call doctors and other experts to provide the jury with information about how medical negligence caused the injury and what the child’s future life will be like, minimally gated by the injury in question. The lawyer that specializes in cerebral palsy cases should have a very broad medical network to draw upon including doctors, neurologists and even the experts for cerebral palsy who are going to testify and help your case with their testimony.

At the same time your attorney should also be able to manage the complexity of the medical records that include knowing the medical language, going through the birth injury papers, and diagnosing the problem through MRI scans and other tests.

Step 7: Trust Your Instincts

The confidence in your instincts is what really matters aside from the experience and the qualifications. A lawyer whom you can easily talk to, who can assure you and who can be your ally during the trial is the one you should pick. You are giving them a case that will greatly affect the future of your child, thus, it is very important that you feel secure with their method.

Don't think twice and consider other lawyers if you feel at any moment that the one you have chosen isn't right or doesn't put your needs first.

Step 8: Make Your Decision

It is time for the decision-making process after consultations. evaluate the different aspects of the case like, the lawyer's experience, his or her style of communication, understanding of cerebral palsy, fees, and your level of comfort with them. When the decision is made, contact the lawyer to confirm that you are now their client and that you are going to work together to apply for the cerebral palsy compensation due to your child's injury. 

Conclusion

Getting the right cerebral palsy lawyer in Pittsburgh or near your area is vital for winning your case. You can easily get an attorney with the required experience that will fight for the compensation that your family deserves if you follow these steps. The right legal assistance will make it possible to obtain the financial support that is needed for your child's medical care, therapy, education, and other long-term needs. 

The Child Brain Injury Law Center is your partner if you are searching for legal help regarding cerebral palsy or if you need expert guidance to handle the complexities of cerebral palsy lawsuits. Our group of caring and skilled lawyers focuses on claims resulting from birth injuries, and we are determined to achieve justice and fair compensation for families affected by cerebral palsy. Get in touch with us now to find out how we can assist you in your journey.