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Malpractice Center

Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Indianapolis, IN (2026)

To build this evidence-based 2026 list of Indianapolis malpractice firms, we weighed their practice focus and published results alongside client reviews and professional history.

Sources checked

5 lawyers and firms

Indianapolis skyline
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

Because Garau Germano, P.C. focuses strongly on malpractice and publishes results involving birth injuries and delayed diagnoses, it leads this list. Before making a call, find out who would handle your claim and how you'd pay costs. Ask about Indiana's filing deadline for your case, too. To learn about the state's medical review panel and damages cap, read our Indiana malpractice guide.

At a glance

  1. 1Garau Germano, P.C.4.3 out of 5
  2. 2Woody & Vaughan, P.C.Free consultation4.7 out of 5
  3. 3Keller & KellerFree consultation4.8 out of 5
  4. 4Hensley Legal Group, PCFree consultation4.9 out of 5
  5. 5CohenMalad, LLPFree consultation4.6 out of 5

Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Indianapolis

  1. Open spot. Feature your firm in IndianapolisFor lawyers
  2. 1

    Garau Germano, P.C.

    4.337 Google reviewsRated 4.3 out of 5 on Google from 37 reviews

    Best for: Birth injury and HIE claims

    According to Garau Germano, P.C.'s own site, Shan Bryant-Haase obtained a $1.675 million settlement in 2024 for a family whose child died soon after birth. For a failure to diagnose colon cancer, the firm publishes a $2.5 million verdict. With its strong malpractice focus and history dating to 1997, those results help explain why the firm appears here.

    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for its years of experience and how much of its work is medical malpractice.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  3. 2

    Woody & Vaughan, P.C.

    4.729 Google reviewsRated 4.7 out of 5 on Google from 29 reviews

    Best for: Birth injury and diagnostic errors

    A $6 million negligent ambulance treatment result from 2024 stands out among Woody & Vaughan, P.C.'s published cases. Its site also reports a $1.8 million birth injury settlement and a result involving an emergency department's failure to diagnose a heart attack. Mike Woody and Christian D. Vaughan are the firm's named attorneys.

    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for the recognition it has earned and the results it publishes.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  4. Keller & Keller logo3

    Keller & Keller

    4.8877 Google reviewsRated 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 877 reviews

    Best for: Medication injury and missed cancer

    Keller & Keller's history dates to 1936. Its own site reports a $525,000 settlement after a failure to diagnose cancer led to a client's wife's death, and it describes a medication-related brain injury case. The firm has an Indianapolis office, with locations also listed in Anderson and South Bend.

    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for its years of experience and the recognition it has earned.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  5. Not sure who to call first?

    Tell us what happened. A malpractice lawyer who serves Indianapolis can look at it with you, and it costs nothing.

  6. CohenMalad, LLP logo5

    CohenMalad, LLP

    4.6205 Google reviewsRated 4.6 out of 5 on Google from 205 reviews

    Best for: Birth and dental injury claims

    CohenMalad, LLP's site addresses dental malpractice as well as birth injury. That distinction can help if your concern involves dental treatment rather than hospital care. Gregory L. Laker is listed as Partner & Chair, with attorneys including Jeffrey A. Hammond and Andrea (Andi) R. Simmons.

    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for its years of experience and what its clients say.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

Where they are in Indianapolis

What clients say about these Indianapolis lawyers

Google reviews of the firms on our lists, quoted as their clients wrote them and linked to where they were posted. We don't write, edit or pick reviews for pay.

  • Cherelle W.

    October 2026 · Indianapolis, Indiana

    “The Ken Nunn office is the best, they don't treat you like a number they treat you family when most law offices just want the money. They worked very hard on my case and the kept in touch and kept me updated about every in and out. Noone eles I would have wanted on my case Vicky Nunn is the best. If you ever need a...”

    About Nunn Law OfficeGoogle reviewRead it on Google
  • Glenda C.

    October 2026 · Indianapolis, Indiana

    “The process of being approved for SSI is daunting and a little overwhelming but working with my Attorney, Tim and Case Manager, Maggie Clark at Keller & Keller was an outstanding experience from start to finish. Tim provided clear guidance, strong legal expertise, and consistent communication throughout my case. He...”

    About Keller & KellerGoogle reviewRead it on Google
  • Kayko C.

    September 2024 · Indianapolis, Indiana

    “I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to work with Garau Germano. Given the unfortunate circumstances that I had went through, this team of attorneys had believed in fighting for me and what was right. Shan B. Haase was with me every step of the way, and through my anxiety, took the time to make sure that...”

    About Garau Germano, P.C.Google reviewRead it on Google
See all reviews

A few minutes that might help

Questions about your own case?
How a malpractice claim usually moves in Indiana
  1. 1.Something went wrong

    Write down dates and names while they're fresh.

  2. 2.Get your records

    Ask for your full chart and test results.

  3. 3.Free case review

    A lawyer looks at what happened, free.

  4. 4.Medical opinion

    A doctor checks whether the care fell short.

  5. 5.Notice before suing

    Some places need a notice before a claim.

  6. 6.File before the deadline

    Your lawyer starts the claim before the deadline.

  7. 7.Settlement or trial

    Many claims settle. Some go to a judge or jury.

Your deadline: 2 years from the treatmentRead the Indiana law guide

Each step in more detail
  1. Discuss the treatment and deadline

    When you tell the lawyer what happened, include the dates. To file in Indiana, you generally must submit to the Indiana Department of Insurance within 2 years of the act, omission or neglect. If a child is under 6, the deadline is the eighth birthday.

  2. Review the medical records

    After discussing what your chart and other records show, the lawyer can address whether the firm will take your claim. When you ask who assesses the medical issues, check whether more records or medical opinions may be needed.

  3. Start the medical review panel

    To start the medical review panel process, you file with the Indiana Department of Insurance. Unlike some states, Indiana doesn't require an affidavit of merit, which is a separate supporting statement. Instead, it uses its medical review panel.

  4. Assess the claim after review

    When you ask what the panel does, find out how its review affects the next step. Which injuries and expenses are involved? Discuss them. For claims against providers qualified under the Medical Malpractice Act, Indiana's cap covers all damages.

  5. Discuss resolution or court proceedings

    Among these firms' published results, you'll find settlements and jury verdicts. If your family takes either route, what would it involve, including expenses? Your result isn't predicted by a published one. To understand how the cap applies to your claim, ask an Indiana lawyer.

Malpractice claims in Indianapolis: the rules that matter

The filing deadline in Indiana
  1. The clock startsOn the day of the treatment
  2. Time to start a claim2 yearsMiss it and the claim is usually lost.
  • Expert paperworkNo affidavit of merit; the medical review panel takes its place.

Read the Indiana law guideWork out your own deadline

Filing deadline for most malpractice claims in Indiana
2 years
Source
Hospitals near Indianapolis with a CMS star rating
6
Source

What a malpractice lawyer costs in Indianapolis

  1. The first callOften free. Ask before you book.
  2. A written agreementThe share the lawyer takes, set out before work starts.
  3. If you recover moneyThe agreed share and the case costs come out of it.
  4. If the claim failsNo legal fee on a contingency agreement. Ask about costs.
Working on contingency is how many firms here describe their fees. If there's a recovery, the lawyer receives a share; if the claim fails, there's no lawyer fee, but case expenses remain separate. Alongside court fees, those expenses can include the cost of medical records and medical opinions. Does the firm pay them upfront? Ask before you sign. If there's no recovery, do you owe them, and when are they deducted? Because some listed firms don't state their fee arrangements, you shouldn't assume they all use the same terms. When you use the free consultation to ask for the written agreement, have the firm explain any charges you don't understand.

While Nine of the listed firms say consultations are free, eight say they work on contingency.

What to bring to your first call

  • When you received treatment and when you noticed the injury
  • Who treated you: the doctors' and hospitals' names
  • Records you already have (including delivery notes, if they're relevant)
  • What happened, written as a brief timeline
  • Bills for medical care, plus records of related expenses
  • Letters you've received from the hospital or insurer
  • The injury shown in photos
  • If the claim involves a child, your child's date of birth

Questions to ask a lawyer

  1. 1For treatment or an injury like mine, have you handled claims before?
  2. 2Who is the lawyer taking responsibility for my file?
  3. 3Under Indiana law, when do I need to file?
  4. 4What happens to my claim during the medical review panel?
  5. 5If there's a recovery, what share is your fee?
  6. 6If my claim fails, could I owe case expenses, and who pays them?
  7. 7When I have questions, how do I get answers and updates?
  8. 8For the provider in my case, does Indiana's damages cap apply?

Choose for your medical problem, not the largest result

What treatment worries you? Start your search there. Because a delayed cancer diagnosis isn't the same as an injury during delivery, the firms' different areas of focus matter. Has the firm handled cases involving the same care as yours? While Garau Germano, P.C. publishes delivery-related results, you'll find dental malpractice on CohenMalad, LLP's site. If a firm lists a practice area, you have a starting point for the conversation, not a sign that it will accept your claim.

Put the filing date on the table

To start the medical review panel, Indiana generally requires you to file with the Indiana Department of Insurance within 2 years of the act, omission or neglect. If a child is under 6, the deadline is the eighth birthday. Once children are older, the adult 2-year rule applies. Before every chart arrives, ask about the deadline rather than waiting for them all. When you give the lawyer the treatment date and, if relevant, your child's age, ask how the rule applies.

  • When you ask who reviews the chart, check whether the firm has handled this medical issue.
  • If the lawyer isn't available, who answers calls, and who will do the work on your file?
  • When discussing the medical review panel's role in your claim, ask which records you'll need to supply.
  • Keep case expenses separate when discussing lawyer fees. Ask for a written agreement.

A free consultation is something most firms listed here say they offer. Once you've confirmed what it covers, use the meeting to ask whether the firm may take your case and what would happen next. If the lawyer charges a contingency fee, that fee depends on a recovery. You'll pay separately for records and medical opinions. If your claim fails, could you owe those costs, and who pays them upfront?

When you read reviews, look for repeated comments about returned calls and how things were explained. If a firm handles broad injury claims, its reviews may describe car accidents rather than medical care. Before proceeding, ask how often you'll get updates and what happens if the firm declines your case. Although this is general information rather than legal advice, an Indiana lawyer can explain how these rules apply to you. For more context, turn to the Indiana guide.

Questions people ask

What should I do first if I suspect malpractice in Indianapolis?
As you write down treatment dates, include the providers' names. Before you have a complete chart, ask an Indiana lawyer about the filing deadline; gather the records you already have without waiting for the rest. A free consultation is something most firms on this list say they offer. When you ask what the firm needs to review your concern, find out when it will respond.
How long do I have to file an Indiana malpractice claim?
To start the medical review panel, you generally must file with the Indiana Department of Insurance within 2 years of the act, omission or neglect. For young children, the rule differs. When you give a lawyer the actual treatment dates, ask which deadline applies to you. Calling for the first time doesn't count as filing.
Are the deadlines different for children?
They are. If a child is under 6, Indiana's rule allows until the eighth birthday. Once children are older, the adult 2-year rule applies. When you speak to the lawyer, provide your child's birth date along with the date of the treatment that concerns you. To find out which deadline applies in your child's circumstances, speak with an Indiana lawyer.
Can I speak with a malpractice lawyer without paying for the first consultation?
A free consultation is offered by Nine firms on this list, they say. When you confirm that with the office, ask what the discussion includes. As you explain the treatment during the call, ask about timing. Although the call can help you learn how the firm reviews potential cases, a free consultation isn't an agreement to represent you.
What does a contingency fee mean for my family?
If you recover money, the lawyer receives a share; if the claim fails, there's no lawyer fee. Contingency fees are what Eight firms here say they use. Expenses are charged separately. Along with court fees, ask what you'll be charged for records and medical opinions. Before you sign, ask whether you could owe those expenses without a recovery and who pays them upfront.
Does Indiana limit how much a malpractice claim can recover?
For claims against providers qualified under the Medical Malpractice Act, Indiana places a cap on all damages. Although it extends beyond pain and suffering, Indiana courts have upheld the cap. Is the provider in your case qualified under the Act? Ask the lawyer. If published settlements or verdicts come from outside Indiana, be especially careful not to treat them as a forecast of your recovery.
Do I need an affidavit of merit to begin a claim?
Because its medical review panel takes that place, Indiana doesn't require an affidavit of merit. To start the panel process, you file with the Indiana Department of Insurance. When you speak to your lawyer, ask what the panel reviews and which medical records it needs. Even without an affidavit requirement, you still don't know whether the firm will accept your case.
How long will a medical malpractice claim take?
You won't find a single reliable estimate for your claim's length here. Although these firms publish both settlements and trial results, Indiana's medical review panel is also part of the process. When you ask which steps your case may need, find out what could delay them. How you'll receive updates is worth asking, too. Even if resolving your claim takes time, the filing deadline is a separate matter.
Which listed firms handle claims involving a loved one's death?
Among the firms here that address wrongful death are Keller & Keller and Ward & Ward. For cases involving newborn deaths, Garau Germano, P.C. publishes settlements. Although Stewart & Stewart Attorneys lists an infant death settlement, it doesn't give an amount. Given your family's circumstances, ask an Indiana lawyer who can bring a claim and which deadline applies. Your family's result isn't predicted by a firm's past case.

Sources

  1. Indiana Medical Malpractice Laws and Statutory Rules, AllLaw (Nolo)
  2. Cavens v. Zaberdac, 849 N.E.2d 526 (Ind. 2006), Justia
  3. State Enactments of Selected Medical Liability Reforms (as of 8/27/2026), Medical Professional Liability Association
  4. Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Laws in All 50 States (updated 6/10/2026), Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C.
  5. Hospital General Information, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  6. Malpractice Center methodology, Malpractice Center

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