Posted on 07/26/2005 6:38:49 PM PDT by mfreddy
In February '04 my wife gave birth to a son who suffered a massive brain injury 12 hours after birth. After much counseling and consideration we have decided to consult with a leading med/mal attorney who has been consulting with experts regarding the merits of a possible case against a number of providers that were involved prior to as well as after delivery.
My question is regarding fees. I believe there are general standards regarding fees and I'd like to know what is appropriate and reasonable. Is this something that can be negotiated? The attorney reviewing this matter is a leader and well recognized in the med/mal world and I don't want to offend him. I feel I need to obtain advice in this matter before meeting with him later this week. My wife and I have not entered into any agreements to date and want to be prepared as we approach this subject. His research so far has been extensive and he has agreed to provide this service without charge due to the possible merits of our case.
Thanks to all that can help.
your post, not mfreddy's
Yes, it IS self-explanatory. It is also why that second doctor has a STRONG disincentive from offering any opinion. Why engage in activity most commonly resulting in a suit? If he DOES take the consult, he has a strong incentive to say the first doctor was right.
Despite your accusation, I did not make anything up. Perhaps you need some rest.
your post, not mfreddy's
My post contained none of my words. It contained mfreddy's request about lawyers fees and it contained your judgement about his intentions.
Read again slowly - docotr's criticize other doctor's work if it is faulty every day. Especially if in another town or they dont know them Every day. They give their honest critique of how they would evaluate and treat things. you sure seem to give malpractice attorneys the benefit of the doubt but are quick to dispargage MD's. Am I on the Kerry -Edwards message board?
Your post had a small sampling of mfreddy's post. A 'Dowdification" if you will.....
I challenge anyone to read this entire thread and tell me what percentage John Edwards would agree with. Probably higher than any thread in the history of free republic. Kinda scary to me.
You don't know it's honest, but you do know they're aware they're more like to be sued for such criticism than for any other reason. And you offer no proof of any of this.
you sure seem to give malpractice attorneys the benefit of the doubt . . .
You keep saying that (along with the other insults), but you cannot grasp the fact that the doctor and the hospital already have attorneys. How is mfreddy going to find out what happened to his child without discovery? You won't answer that either.
...but are quick to dispargage MD's.
Pretty sensitive aren't you? Show me where I'm quick to disparage MDs.
Thanks.
I'm following this, with interest. I've worked with a lot of doctors, some really fine people and some I wouldn't trust a cat with. I also have two attorneys in the family, a sister and a brother. Only one malpractice case between them, but it was a doozy, and it was hernia surgery by an impaired doctor who basically sterilized a nice young man.
I think some people have addressed this thread poster's concern and genuine question, and some have made him the scapegoat for ... whatever their personal agenda is.
They can get a complete copy of their medical record. no lawyer needend, no discovery.
Dispargaing MD's? You have repeatedly stated they would be less than honest in caring for and evaluating this poor child. (Just last post "You dont know it its honest....)
If thats praising MD I must have missed it.
A second opinion is a far cry from your so-called suggestions to mfreddy.
A verbal and informal second opinion is worth the paper it's written on for someone seeking answers to the cause of a devastating medical condition.
Besides what makes you think mfreddy has not already received a "second opinion?"
Judith Anne -
My point has remained that the doctor is going to be presumed guilty by any "good" malpractice attorney. A John Edwards clone will "channel " the childs thoughts and play on the juries emotions to want to take care of this poor child. And he will have no qualms about destroying the life of what may be a competent and dedicated medical professional. Everyone here knows this
They can get a complete copy of what was put in the medical record.
You have repeatedly stated they would be less than honest in caring for and evaluating this poor child.
I said they had an incentive to conceal their faults. Your characterization is overly sensitive.
Just last post "You dont know it its honest...."
That's not disparaging. It's true. You DON'T know they'll be honest. You ernestly believe all doctors are completely honest even if they were making a statement completely against their own interest. But your beliefs and reality are widely divorced.
If thats praising MD I must have missed it.
Nice strawman, but I'm neither praising them nor disparaging them. Those are NOT the only two choices. I'm talking about the reality of a doctor who fears he might be liable for harm to a patient.
I talked to doctors not associated with the hospital in question. They all didn't want to speculate how it could have happened. It seemsed like they wanted nothing to do with it.
no mention of one - only a mystery whisper to "look into this". Not enough to hang an MD to dry out with in my opinion. Could be a disguntled nurse, a jealous colleague, etc. What happened to presumtion of innocence?
Wow, nice slam of everyone who disagrees with you. By your telling, we all know you are right, but for some perverse reason, we're all lying about the truth of your words.
Sheesh.
It remains where it belongs...in the courtroom.
Actually I would have gone on to defend the remainder of mfreddy's post, but after his post to me I really couldn't care less.
I'll tell you what , Mr. P - double blind study. Let 100 Md's read your posts - if majority feel attacked, you owe me $100. If majority feel priased or neutral, I oew you $100. Read ithem again and substitute real estate lawyer for doctor and se ehow you think you are portrayed.
I'm portrayed just fine. I speak about incentives and disincentives. You feel attacked.
But I know I'm talking about human nature, not the specific behavior of an individual.
If you truly believe doctors are so pure that they'll voluntarily admit making a huge mistake that crippled a patient, you are beyond naive and into developmental disability. And THAT is a disparaging comment--but only if you really believe the subject condition.
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