Because New York is a very populous state, choosing a medical malpractice attorney can be very difficult. Many physicians in New York have impressive academic credentials, and most are accredited by the board that oversees their particular medical specialty. On paper, at least, most New York doctors are difficult to distinguish from one another. Other criteria can be very useful in picking an attorney whose skill and experience can maximize the chances of a favorable outcome. In this post, we will examine some of these criteria from the viewpoint of a medical malpractice lawyer.
Focus on experience as a defense attorney
Most medical malpractice directories concentrate on plaintiff’s attorneys. But a diligent search can disclose attorneys with extensive experience in trying and defending medical malpractice cases. The two kinds of experiences can be very different. A defense lawyer must understand which strategies are likely to lead to a favorable settlement, while a plaintiff’s attorney is seeking the maximum settlement.
Does a candidate share a wide network of respected medical professionals?
Has the attorney represented a network of esteemed medical professionals. Has the attorney achieved favorable outcomes on behalf of these clients?
Communication skills
The ideal defense attorney should possess above average communication skills in order to keep the client fully informed on the status of the case as it works its way through the court system.
Experience
Has the attorney had experience with medical (and legal) issues similar to the ones in the case at hand? Has the attorney achieved favorable outcomes for the defendants in those cases? For example, an attorney with experience in spinal cord injuries may not be the right attorney for malpractice involving the cardiovascular system.

