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All about the Benjamins

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tranquility

Senior Member
In a couple of articles at:
http://www.propublica.org/article/patient-harm-when-an-attorney-wont-take-your-case
http://www.propublica.org/article/ten-patient-stories-when-attorneys-refused-my-medical-malpractice-case

there are surveys and examples of how money influences the way lawyers take medical malpractice cases. The economics are clear and are not surprising. One attorney survey that really points out the issue:
More than 450 attorneys were surveyed for the Emory study, “Uncovering the Silent Victims of the American Medical Liability System,” which found that three out of four medical malpractice attorneys reject more than 90 percent of the cases they screen. The study found:

--About 95 percent of patients who are harmed will find it extremely difficult to get representation.
--Almost no attorney will take a case, even when the chance of winning is 95 percent, if the damages are less than $50,000.
--More than half refuse any case, no matter the likelihood of winning, if the damages are less than $250,000.
 


quincy

Senior Member
In a couple of articles at:
http://www.propublica.org/article/patient-harm-when-an-attorney-wont-take-your-case
http://www.propublica.org/article/ten-patient-stories-when-attorneys-refused-my-medical-malpractice-case

there are surveys and examples of how money influences the way lawyers take medical malpractice cases. The economics are clear and are not surprising. One attorney survey that really points out the issue:
I agree it is not surprising.

When you have medical malpractice cases, you have defendants with medical malpractice insurance. These defendants will be represented by experienced medical malpractice attorneys who will in turn hire medical experts. The attorneys will work hard to defeat all claims filed against their clients. Discovery alone can cost $30,000 and up.

The money is often not there to make a case worth the high cost of pursuing for either the plaintiff or the attorney.
 

ecmst12

Senior Member
Not to mention the cost for experts to review the records, possibly examine the victim, write reports, and testify at trial. That will easily run in the tens of thousands as well.
 

tranquility

Senior Member
Not to mention the cost for experts to review the records, possibly examine the victim, write reports, and testify at trial. That will easily run in the tens of thousands as well.
One of the articles mentioned that even a "screening" of a client can cost $20,000.
 

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