Becoming a brain injury lawyer in the US requires an undergraduate degree, a doctorate in jurisprudence, passing the bar exam, and securing employment with a firm that handles medical malpractice or personal injury cases. Relevant coursework and clinical or internship opportunities are recommended.
In most cases, a brain injury lawyer’s job is to secure compensation for a victim or a victim’s family who suffered injuries as a result of brain damage. The requirements to become a brain injury attorney vary by jurisdiction. In the United States, anyone planning to become a brain injury lawyer must complete both an undergraduate degree and a doctorate in jurisprudence, as well as be licensed in the state in which they plan to practice. Once licensed, a person aspiring to become a brain injury attorney must secure employment with a firm that focuses on medical malpractice or personal injury representation.
The educational path to becoming a brain injury attorney begins with an undergraduate degree. All courses are considered for acceptance to law school; however, an undergraduate degree in anatomy, biology, or one of the sciences can be helpful for anyone hoping to become a brain injury attorney. Upon completion of the undergraduate degree, a law student must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). A high LSAT score combined with a high grade point average and a rigorous undergraduate curriculum are helpful when applying to law schools, as admission is highly competitive.
Once admitted to law school, all students complete the same basic core curriculum during the first two years. For a student planning to become a brain injury attorney, additional classes in criminal law, or specifically medical law, if offered, should be considered during the third year. In addition, a law student should take advantage of any clinical or internship opportunities in the field of medical malpractice or personal injury law, if available. Part-time or summer employment with a company that practices in these areas is also advisable.
Upon completion of the doctorate in juris, an attorney must become licensed in the state in which they plan to practice law. As a rule, this entails passing the bar exam and the multi-state professional responsibility exam (MPRE). A character and fitness interview or background check is also part of the licensing process in most states.
A licensed attorney who wants to become a brain injury attorney should seek employment with a firm that handles a high volume of medical malpractice or personal injury cases. Some brain injuries are caused by negligence on the part of medical personnel during birth, which falls under the scope of medical malpractice. Other brain injuries are caused by a traumatic head injury, which is usually litigated as a general body injury lawsuit.
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