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Top Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Des Moines, IA
Medical malpractice is among the hardest cases to win in Iowa - the law requires an expert's sworn certificate just to keep your case alive, and a 2023 statute now caps part of what you can recover. These are the Des Moines firms that take these cases seriously and try them.
Updated March 26, 202613 min readEditorially independent
If a doctor, surgeon, or hospital in the Des Moines area hurt you through a careless mistake, you may have a medical malpractice claim - but Iowa makes these cases demanding to bring. Within a set time after the defense answers, your lawyer must file a certificate of merit signed by a qualified medical expert who confirms the care fell below the accepted standard. Without it, the case is usually dismissed.
There is also a clock and a cap. You generally have two years from when you knew or should have known about the malpractice to file, with an outer limit set by Iowa law. And a 2023 statute capped non-economic damages - pain and suffering - in medical malpractice cases, though your actual medical bills, lost income, and future care costs are treated separately. A strong firm explains exactly how these rules apply to your situation.
Because malpractice cases require paid medical experts and years of work, reputable firms take them on contingency and screen carefully. The eight firms below all have a verifiable Des Moines-area medical malpractice practice and appear in independent directories such as Justia, Expertise.com, or Super Lawyers. Each offers a free case review, so it costs nothing to learn whether your case is worth pursuing.
How we picked these 8: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Des Moines-area medical malpractice practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Hartung Schroeder LLP
Des Moines, IAPlaintiff malpractice firm
Practice focus: Medical malpractice, birth injury, surgical error, wrongful death
Founded in 2003, Hartung Schroeder represents plaintiffs in medical malpractice suits across Des Moines, including catastrophic-injury and wrongful-death claims from medical negligence. The firm handles birth, chiropractic, and surgical injury cases.
Why they made the list: A dedicated plaintiff malpractice practice with two decades of focused experience in Des Moines.
Practice focus: Surgical errors, doctor negligence, medication errors, misdiagnosis
Duff Law Firm brings more than 25 years of experience to medical negligence cases in Des Moines, helping clients recover after surgical errors, medication mistakes, misdiagnosis, permanent injuries, and death. The firm concentrates on the medical-injury side of personal injury law.
Why they made the list: More than 25 years focused on medical negligence, with a track record across the major malpractice categories.
Practice focus: OB-GYN negligence, birth injuries, surgical errors
Marc A. Humphrey has decades of experience handling medical negligence and malpractice cases in Des Moines, with particular focus on OB-GYN negligence and birth injuries such as shoulder dystocia and brain injuries, as well as surgical errors. Birth-injury work is some of the most technical malpractice litigation there is.
Why they made the list: Deep, named experience in birth-injury and OB-GYN malpractice - a difficult subspecialty.
Practice focus: Birth injury, catastrophic medical negligence, wrongful death
Olson Law Office is an experienced litigation practice that has won significant results in medical malpractice, including a reported $21 million birth-injury verdict. The firm focuses on serious, high-stakes medical negligence cases.
Why they made the list: A reported $21 million birth-injury result signals real trial capability in catastrophic cases.
Practice focus: Birth injuries, surgical errors, medical negligence
Carter Law Offices represents Des Moines clients in medical malpractice matters including birth injuries and surgical errors, as part of a personal-injury practice. The firm pursues compensation for victims of negligent medical care.
Why they made the list: A focused birth-injury and surgical-error practice within an established injury firm.
Practice focus: Medical malpractice, surgical errors, wrongful death
Slater Law, in West Des Moines, brings more than 40 years of combined experience to medical malpractice cases and reports significant verdicts and settlements. The firm handles malpractice as a core part of its injury practice.
Why they made the list: Over 40 years of combined experience and a record of notable malpractice results.
Practice focus: Medical malpractice, misdiagnosis, hospital negligence
Ball, Kirk & Holm maintains a Des Moines medical malpractice practice and offers free consultations to people injured by negligent medical care. The firm handles misdiagnosis, hospital negligence, and related injury claims.
Why they made the list: A Des Moines malpractice practice with free case reviews and a broad injury background.
Practice focus: Medical malpractice, personal injury, wrongful death
Law Group of Iowa handles Des Moines medical malpractice claims within a personal-injury practice, representing clients harmed by negligent medical care. As with any multi-area firm, ask who will personally handle the malpractice work on your file.
Why they made the list: Maintains a dedicated Des Moines medical malpractice practice page and offers free reviews.
Tell us what happened and we will match you with vetted Des Moines-area medical malpractice attorneys. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Des Moines
Make sure they actually try malpractice cases. Many injury firms advertise malpractice but rarely file one. Ask how many medical malpractice cases the firm has filed and tried in the last three years.
Ask about the certificate of merit. Iowa requires an expert's sworn certificate of merit early in the case. You want a firm that lines up qualified medical experts as a matter of routine, not one scrambling to find one.
Confirm who pays for the experts. Malpractice cases need paid expert physicians. On contingency, the firm fronts those costs and recovers them from any award - get that in writing so you are not billed if the case does not succeed.
Watch the two-year clock. Iowa's statute of limitations is generally two years from when you knew or should have known about the malpractice, with an outer limit. If your deadline is near, say so on the first call.
What medical malpractice help typically costs in Des Moines
Almost every Des Moines medical malpractice firm works on contingency, so your cost depends on the outcome:
Initial case review. Free at every firm on this list.
Contingency fee. Commonly 33% to 40% of the recovery, sometimes higher if the case goes to trial. Get the percentages in writing.
Case costs (experts, records, filing). Often $25,000 to $100,000+ in a contested case, advanced by the firm and repaid from the recovery if you win.
Iowa non-economic damage cap. A 2023 Iowa law caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in medical malpractice cases; economic losses like medical bills and lost earnings are handled separately.
Because the firm carries the financial risk, strong firms only take cases they believe they can prove. A free review tells you quickly whether yours is one of them.
How long it takes
Iowa malpractice cases move slowly because of the proof the law requires:
Records review and expert screening. Usually 2 to 6 months while the firm gathers records and has physicians evaluate the standard of care.
Filing and certificate of merit. The certificate of merit must be filed within the time Iowa law allows after the defense answers.
Discovery through settlement or trial. Most contested cases take 2 to 3 years from filing, depending on the court's calendar and the defense.
Appeals. If either side appeals, add a year or more.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a medical malpractice lawyer in Des Moines
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many medical malpractice matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Des Moines consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most medical malpractice matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Medical Malpractice attorney in Des Moines
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about medical malpractice lawyers in Des Moines
How do I know if I have a medical malpractice case in Des Moines?
You need more than a bad result. A case requires proof that a provider's care fell below the accepted standard and that the substandard care caused real harm. A free review, followed by an expert's record review, is how Des Moines firms decide whether a case is viable.
What is a certificate of merit?
Iowa requires a sworn statement from a qualified medical expert, filed early in the case, confirming that the care fell below the standard. Without it, the case is generally dismissed - which is why you want a firm that works with medical experts routinely.
How long do I have to file in Iowa?
Generally two years from when you knew or reasonably should have known about the injury and its cause, with an outer limit set by statute. Because the discovery rule can be tricky, talk to a lawyer as soon as you suspect malpractice.
Is there a cap on what I can recover?
Iowa's 2023 law caps non-economic damages such as pain and suffering in medical malpractice cases. Economic damages - medical bills, future care, lost earnings - are handled separately and are often the largest part of a serious case. A lawyer can explain how the cap applies to you.
What does it cost to hire a malpractice lawyer?
Almost always nothing up front. These cases run on contingency: the firm advances the expert and litigation costs and takes a percentage (commonly 33% to 40%) only if you recover. Get the terms in writing.
What if my baby was injured during delivery?
Birth injuries are a distinct, highly technical area of malpractice. Several firms on this list - including Humphrey Law Firm and Olson Law Office - focus on birth-injury and OB-GYN negligence cases specifically.
What if a family member died from negligent care?
That may be a wrongful death claim, which has its own rules and deadlines in Iowa. Most firms on this list, including Hartung Schroeder and Duff Law Firm, handle medical wrongful-death cases.
Will my case go to trial?
Most settle, but malpractice insurers fight hard, so you want a firm willing and able to try the case. Ask each firm how many malpractice cases it has actually taken to trial.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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