Drug and Medical Device Lawyers
Do I Need a Drug and Medical Device Lawyer?
If you have suffered harm because of a medication or a medical device, you may need a lawyer with experience in these cases. Not all instances of being harmed by drugs or devices involve negligence or product liability, but they often do. Once your doctor has provided care for the harm caused, next contact a lawyer.
An attorney or firm specializing in medical products liability can do several things for you:
- Clarify Laws and Your Rights
A lawyer with the right experience and expertise will help you understand the laws governing medical devices and drugs and how they impact your rights. These cases can be complicated and difficult for most people to understand. Even if you don’t take legal action, a consultation with a lawyer helps clarify your situation and options. - Provide Expertise and Resources
If you do have a case to file a lawsuit against a drug company or device manufacturer, a lawyer is your best resource. Those with experience in these cases provide information and the resources necessary to prove you suffered harm and who is responsible. Without this expert guidance, making the case and winning against big drug companies is nearly impossible. - Recover Maximum Damages
The reason to take legal action is to recover damages. The harm caused by a device or a drug may lead to more costly medical bills, and those responsible should pay. A lawyer with experience advocating for victims can maximize the amount you recover and ensure you have everything you need. - Hold Drug and Device Companies Accountable
Large corporations have a responsibility to provide safe products effective for the claims they make. This is especially true for companies providing drugs and medical devices that can potentially cause so much damage if they fail or do not work as promised. Lawyers specializing in product liability can help you hold them accountable.
How Do I Find a Drug and Medical Device Lawyer?
If you need a lawyer after suffering caused by a medication or a medical device, find someone who has the appropriate expertise and experience. You cannot rely on a general lawyer or a firm who has never worked on these cases to get you justice.
Start your search with your doctor or medical center. Try your state bar association or advocacy groups for patients. Someone you know may have dealt with a similar situation and can provide a referral. You can also do an online search for lawyers specializing in these cases. As you narrow down your options, look for the following in the lawyer you select:[1]
- Experience with similar clients
- Proven wins for clients
- Referrals from past clients
- Experience both negotiating settlements and litigating
- A willingness to be available to answer all your questions
- A free case evaluation or initial consultation
- A contingency payment plan
What Should I Ask My Lawyer?
As you begin to search for a lawyer, narrow your options, and select the person you want to work with, it’s important to get your questions answered:
- Do I really have a case and a chance of winning?
- What do you think my case is worth?
- How will you prove that the drug/device harmed me and caused damages?
- Have you won cases like this before?
- Have you take cases to court and won or only negotiated settlements?
- How long will it take to get compensation for my medical bills?
What Should I Bring to Meet My Lawyer?
In addition to a list of important questions, be prepared for meeting with your lawyer by gathering essential items. They will need to ask you a lot of questions about what happened to you and your resulting health problems. If you have the right materials ready to go, they will be better able to do their job:
- All of your medical records leading up to, including, and after use of the dangerous drug or device
- Your medical bills, especially those resulting from the drug or device
- Any other bills or expenses incurred as a result of using the device or the drug, such as travel to medical appointments or lost wages
- Any evidence you have collected of the harm caused by the device or medication, including photographs of injuries, your doctor’s notes, your notes on your symptoms, and even a medical device that your doctor removed
Working with a drug and medical device lawyer may become necessary if the worst happens. If a device or drug you trusted to treat you actually harmed you, the right lawyer can clarify your options and help you take steps to recover damages.