Personal injury negotiations are essential to obtaining a fair settlement for your claim. Once we have submitted your Demand and after the Claims Adjuster has reviewed it, the negotiations on your damages begin. It is possible, though not likely, that the demand letter will be accepted the first time without any issues raised by the claims adjuster. Other times the claims adjuster may require more information or clarity on specific issues. It is also not uncommon that the claims adjuster will counter with a lower offer, which may then lead to further negotiations. It is even possible that your demand will be flat out denied, even after negotiations.
There are many valid reasons your claim may be denied, it could be that your demand was too high and you will not settle for anything less or that the adjuster is just not authorized to settle for anything beyond a certain amount. In that case, your next step would be to litigate this matter by filing a complaint and going to court. To make the demand go smoothly and efficiently, a skillful attorney should have prepared a Demand letter that clearly laid out your damages to the claims adjuster. This will help with the negotiations and settlement. If the claims adjuster can clearly see your damages along with proof, then they can evaluate your claim and see you are seeking just compensation. If you are looking for a seasoned settlement attorney, contact The Law Offices of Garrett T. Ogata today.
The negotiation and settlement stages are where an experienced attorney can pay off in helping you seek adequate compensation. It is also important to remember, you are the one who will decide whether to settle or not to settle. Your attorney will fight for you and deal with the claims adjuster, while communicating the settlements once received.
A settlement refers to an agreement reached between two opposing parties to resolve a case without going to court. Often this agreement involves the defendant agreeing to pay a certain amount of money to the plaintiff, and in return, the plaintiff agrees to drop the case.
A structured settlement is a financial arrangement in which a plaintiff in a lawsuit agrees to receive periodic payments over a specified period of time from the defendant rather than a lump sum payment in order to resolve a legal dispute.
Yes, a settlement can be reached at any time, from before a lawsuit is filed up until the final verdict is served. Settling cases before they go to trial is a common practice as it allows you to avoid the costs and uncertainties involved with going to trial.
The time it takes to receive your settlement varies on a case-by-case basis based on several factors including insurance processes, medical treatment completion, evidence gathering, etc. On average, it can take between four to six weeks to receive your settlement payment. To get a more personalized estimate on the timeline and legitimacy of your case, contact The Law Offices of Garrett T. Ogata today.
Before accepting a settlement offer, you should consider factors such as the adequacy of the compensation in covering damages, future expenses, the strength of your legal claim and any risks that may be involved with going to trial. An attorney can help you navigate all of these factors and lead you down a path towards the optimal outcome. Call The Law Offices of Garrett T. Ogata at [text_phone] for a free consultation to discuss your personal injury claim.
