According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 1 million workers require emergency medical care for hand injuries. When people injure their hands, it’s often one of the most debilitating damages they can receive. After all, think about how often you use your hands!
As a personal injury lawyer, you’ll likely receive many clients with personal injury cases pertaining to hand injuries. One of your responsibilities is to ensure that your client receives the best medical care available in the lead-up to their trial.
That’s why it’s crucial to know how to find the best hand surgeons. However, choosing a hand surgeon for a personal injury case requires more work than you may realize. Check out this guide to learn everything you need to know about this process!
Finding a Hand Surgeon for a Medical Lien
The first step in finding your client’s hand surgeon is to discover which doctors on liens will treat them. As you know, medical bills can be a tremendous burden for clients to bear. It can lead them to accept much lower settlements than the worth of their case.
Instead of following this option, a medical lien surgeon performs the surgery on a lien. In other words, they do the surgery with the expectation of a future payment. Specifically, look for surgeons who will agree to perform hand surgery on a contingency basis
This contingency fee means that they will receive payment after the dispute resolves. Alternatively, the surgeon may receive their payment after the trial reaches a decision.
Many lawyers may struggle to find such a surgeon for their clients. However, you may wonder how to choose between these surgeons if you find multiple options. We’ll explore how to do this in the following sections.
Ask Colleagues for Recommendations
One way to find a hand surgeon for a personal injury case is to ask colleagues for recommendations. You likely know another personal injury attorney who can point you in the direction of a surgeon.
So, ask around. Are there surgeons in your area that your client can see? Will they operate based on a medical lien?
If so, that’s an excellent start. From there, move on to the next consideration.
Check Out Your Personal Injury Lien Doctor Qualifications
The next factor to consider is a hand surgeon’s credentials and qualifications. One of the fastest ways to do this is to check their board certification.
Certifications can tell you a lot about a surgeon, including:
- their training
- skill sets
- experience
- education
It also helps if the surgeon has subspecialty fellowship training for hand surgery. This training confirms the surgeon has excellent skills in this field.
Next, research this surgeon’s history. The last thing you want is to send your client to a doctor with a history of medical malpractice claims or disciplinary actions.
Research the Hospital’s Quality
Hand surgeons don’t work in a vacuum. Instead, they work in hospitals with varying degrees of equipment and service.
So, consider what hospital your surgeon works in. Do they have a high rating?
Hospitals with high ratings generally have fewer complications in their procedures. As a result, they have higher survival rates.
Next, consider the hospital’s location. Your client will have to make several return trips to this facility for follow-up appointments and rehabilitation visits. Ask your client whether the hospital’s location matters to them.
Post-Surgical Follow Ups
Your client’s medical treatments shouldn’t stop once they become discharged. Instead, your surgeon’s team should continue to advise them on their recovery process. They should also provide routine follow-ups and check-ups to ensure they recover properly from their operation.
Remember, postoperative treatment can prevent medical problems from occurring later on. This outcome is crucial for ensuring your client can navigate the trial and its processes comfortably. The best surgeons offer this care to ensure they have a speedy recovery.
How Well Does the Surgeon Communicate?
The next question is whether this surgeon communicates well with you and your client. Remember, your client will rely on this individual for their health.
So, consider the surgeon’s communication skills. Do they respond quickly to your calls? Are they willing to schedule a consultation with your client quickly?
This task leads to the next question. How available is this surgeon?
This specialist must act promptly to operate and assess your client’s medical needs within their case’s limits. Likewise, they must be willing to work with you and your client to accommodate the patient’s treatment needs.
Consider the Surgeon’s Gender
Some clients may feel uncomfortable visiting a surgeon of the opposite sex. After all, clients will have to reveal personal information to this doctor to ensure they receive the optimal treatment necessary.
Many surgeons offer specialized treatments for male and female patients. Some hospitals may even offer specialized treatment centers and clinics for gender-specific patient care.
Will They Complete Depositions?
The last consideration for doctors on a lien is whether they will complete depositions. As such, when working through a personal injury claim, determine whether the doctor will cooperate. This professional must not hesitate when they appear in court.
The surgeon you choose should offer a thorough explanation of your client’s injury and how it affects their life. This information can help you promote your case to both a judge and a jury.
Work With Us to Find Hand Surgeons
As you can see, there are several factors to consider when searching for hand surgeons. While all of these considerations matter, perhaps the most critical is whether the doctor will operate on a lien. Finding surgeons who will accept this payment method can be a challenge.
That’s where we come in. We offer resources to help you find the best surgeons who will work for a lien. We also include services for finding doctors for a personal injury lien.
So, check out our services today! Using our services can help you find the best surgeon for the job.