By Fiona Puglese, Attorney at Brockstedt Mandalas Federico
If you believe you or a loved one has been harmed by medical negligence, picking up the phone to call a lawyer can feel like a big step and like you’re maybe committing to more than you are ready for. It’s natural to feel unsure about what to expect — or even what to say. The truth is that an intake call isn’t an interrogation. It’s a conversation, and it’s designed to help both you and the attorney understand whether your experience may warrant a closer look. Making a call does not mean you’re agreeing to file a case or even take your experience to trial.
If you believe you or a loved one may have experienced medical malpractice, it’s important to reach out to experienced attorneys as soon as possible to get an understanding of possible next steps. Here’s what typically happens when you call a firm like Brockstedt Mandalas Federico for the first time.
We Listen to Your Story
The most important part of the call is hearing from you. We’ll ask you to walk us through what happened in your own words — the medical treatment you received, what went wrong, and how it has affected your life. You don’t need to have all of your medical records organized or know the legal terminology. We just need you to be open and honest about your experience and its impact on your life.
We Ask Targeted Questions
Once we understand the basics, we’ll ask follow-up questions to assess the key elements of a potential claim. These typically include when and where the treatment occurred, which providers were involved, what injuries or complications resulted, and whether you’ve sought additional medical care since. We’ll also want to understand the timeline. In Maryland, strict statutes of limitations apply, and timing can determine whether a case can move forward.
We Explain the Process
Medical malpractice cases are among the most complex areas of personal injury law. During the intake call, we’ll give you a candid overview of what pursuing a claim involves, including obtaining and reviewing medical records to securing a certificate of a qualified expert, which Maryland law requires before a lawsuit can be filed. We want you to understand both the potential value and the demands of the process.
We Assess Next Steps Together
Not every intake call leads to a case, and that’s okay. If your situation appears to have merit, we’ll explain what comes next, which typically involves a deeper investigation, a review of your medical records, and consultation with medical experts. If we determine that your case isn’t one we can take on, we’ll tell you directly — and, where possible, point you in the right direction.
What an Intake Call Is Not
An intake call is not a commitment — for you or for the firm. It doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship, and it doesn’t obligate you to pursue legal action. Think of it as a fact-finding conversation where both sides gather enough information to decide whether it makes sense to take the next step.
Why It Matters to Call Sooner Rather Than Later
The earlier you reach out, the more options you have. Evidence can degrade over time, memories fade, and legal deadlines don’t wait. Even if you’re not sure whether you have a case, a brief conversation with an experienced Maryland medical malpractice attorney can help you understand where you stand — and give you peace of mind either way.
If something about your medical care doesn’t feel right, trust that instinct. Reach out for a free consultation and let us help you figure out your next steps.
Fiona Puglese is an attorney at Brockstedt Mandalas Federico where her practice focuses on medical negligence, wrongful death, and birth injury.
Fiona J. Puglese is an associate attorney at BMF. Her practice centers on the representation of individuals in cases of medical negligence, wrongful death, and birth injury. She has extensive experience in medical malpractice and healthcare law, having handled all aspects of litigation from pre-suit analysis through trial.
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