Get to Know GRYC Medical Investigator: Lauren Acuña

At GRYC, our cases rely on a team of professionals who bring deep experience and investigative skill to uncover the truth behind complex medical cases. One of the firm’s key differentiators is the strength of our in-house investigation team. Unlike many firms that rely on third-party investigators on a case-by-case basis, our investigators work closely with our attorneys every day to identify the critical details that drive our cases forward.

Through this “Get to Know” series, we aim to showcase the important work our investigators do and offer a closer look at the people behind it.

Name: Lauren Acuña

Title: Medical Investigator

What is your professional background, and how does it inform the way you approach investigations at GRYC?

I have 20 years of experience in the legal field, and during that time, I’ve practiced exclusively in medical malpractice. I spent much of my career in the defense arena, working directly with clinicians and insurance companies to support the defense and management of catastrophic claims. This gave me a rare perspective on how hospitals operate and how defense firms evaluate cases. Now at GRYC, I leverage that institutional knowledge to dismantle defense strategies and secure justice for plaintiffs who have suffered due to medical negligence.

What happens during the investigative phase that clients may not realize is critical to the outcome of their case?

The heart of a malpractice case isn't just identifying what went wrong, but having a medical expert provide proof that the doctors were actually negligent and did not meet the acceptable standard of care. This is how we tell the difference between an unfortunate outcome and a strong legal claim. We have a rigorous investigative process and retain experts early to assist us with identifying everyone who might be responsible; sometimes the real liability is hidden deep in the records.

What would clients be surprised to learn about the investigative process?

Many clients are surprised to discover that investigating a medical malpractice claim is very often a time-consuming process with no guarantee of victory, even when a medical error seems obvious. Our rigorous investigative process frequently demonstrates that, under legal standards, a poor medical outcome does not automatically mean there is actionable malpractice.

What motivates you most about your role as an investigator?

My greatest motivation is serving as an advocate for our clients and really diving into the investigation to get them the answers they’re searching for.

Very often, an investigation will not pan out into a fruitful case, but by reading the records, reviewing medical literature, and discussing the case with medical experts, I’m able to provide the client with answers to their most pressing questions, like "Why did this happen? Could this have been avoided? And is anyone to blame for what happened to me?” Even when I have to turn down a case, clients often share that our investigation provided them with closure and helped restore their faith in the medical community.