It is a scenario few of us ever expect to face. You or a loved one suffered a serious injury at the hands of people you trust: your team of healthcare professionals. If this happens to you, the law is on your side. You have the right to recover losses and hopefully prevent this tragic event from happening to someone else.
But these types of cases are not easy. This is why you need an experienced attorney like Brian Cummings at Cummings Law. He is a board-certified, hands-on medical malpractice attorney who takes the time to walk his clients through the difficult legal process, bringing them the justice they deserve.
Here are five reasons that Brian Cummings is one of the pre-eminent medical malpractice attorneys in the Nashville, Tennessee area:
1. His Expertise
Would you hire a plumber to fix an electrical problem? Although he might be handy, he doesn’t have the same experience or knowledge as an electrician. While attorneys have knowledge of the law, when it comes to handling a medical malpractice case, you want someone who has knowledge and experience in filing these types of cases. It is also especially important to hire a lawyer who is familiar with the laws in your state. For almost 15 years, Cummings defended against medical malpractice claims but now has turned his practice of law to helping plaintiffs seek the compensation they rightfully deserve in medical malpractice cases. He understands what it takes to negotiate a fair settlement or win a case before a judge or a jury trial. An article featured in Legal Newsline states, “(Cummings’) vast experience analyzing claims and facts allows him to apply this knowledge throughout the litigation process, which allows his clients to focus on rest, recovery and getting back to their daily lives.” Cummings also regularly updates his blog providing legal insights to the complicated field of medical malpractice and personal injury law.
2. His Preparation
One of the reasons malpractice litigation is so costly is the time and research spent gathering evidence, specifically depositions that are needed to win your case. Even what might appear as an outright mistake might not be considered true negligence unless it violates the applicable “standard of care.” In other words, a judge or a jury must determine whether the defendant made a legitimate mistake or an error in judgment. Expert witnesses must be carefully vetted to determine whether their expertise can establish this standard in your case. Cummings has worked with plaintiffs and defendants on these lawsuits, and he knows what kinds of expert testimony satisfy the law, impress a jury, and can win your case.
3. His Professionalism
In Tennessee, malpractice cases must be filed within a year from when the alleged malpractice occurred. However, if the patient’s injury did not manifest within that time frame, the statute of limitations changes to a year from when the injury was discovered to be due to malpractice. There are many exceptions to the statute of limitations and it varies from state to state, therefore it is important to contact an attorney right away to ensure that you can get the compensation you deserve.
When you take up the daunting task of seeking justice for you or a loved one, you should rightfully expect to work face-to-face with the attorney that will be negotiating or trying your case. Larger law firms sometimes have law clerks get the details while the partners of the firm are out making splashy TV ads or playing golf. When you retain Cummings, he will work with you one-on-one to learn all the facts regarding your situations so he can best negotiate or represent you at a trial. He is selective in the cases he takes on because he likes to devote personal attention to all his clients and on every aspect of their case. If he thinks he can help you get the compensation that you rightfully deserve, he will be 100 percent committed and personally involved as he guides you through the process.
4. His Qualifications
In order for one to become a lawyer, they need to pass the Bar Exam in the state they wish to practice. Cummings is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association which allows lawyers to earn certification in legal specialties from third-party programs. Cummings is one of fewer than 20 plaintiffs’ attorneys in Tennessee to have a board certification in medical malpractice, granted by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. He is also a senior fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, where only a handful of attorneys in Nashville are members.
Cummings is also licensed to practice in Hawaii, California, Georgia, Florida and he is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
5. His Winning Track Record
Cummings has faced tough, headline-grabbing cases and steered his clients toward successful settlements and jury awards. In the past three years, he has secured more than $22 million on behalf of his clients. These were serious medical malpractice cases and personal injury cases ranging from breast cancer misdiagnosis to emergency room errors.