Settlement vs. Verdict

San Diego Personal Injury Lawyer

A settlement is an official agreement reached by disputing parties in order to resolve conflict. In a personal injury case, this typically means that parties agree upon a specific amount of money to be paid by the at-fault party to the injured party. A settlement may be reached before or even during a civil court trial. If it is reached during the trial, the trial will not proceed. The majority of personal injury cases in San Diego and throughout California are resolved through negotiated settlements as opposed to verdicts reached by judges and juries in civil courtrooms. Reaching a settlement can save both parties a considerable amount of time and money by avoiding a lengthy trial.

If you or someone you know has been injured and you are considering taking legal action, it is important to talk to a San Diego personal injury attorney. At our firm, we stand prepared to offer knowledgeable insight that will help you make informed choices about your case. We can fully explain the difference between a settlement and a verdict so you know what to expect and what course of action we may take in your case.

Will my San Diego injury claim go to trial?

Statistically speaking, there is a small chance that your case will go all the way through to a trial and verdict. Depending on the specific situation, however, we may find that the best way to seek maximum compensation on your behalf is by taking your case to court. The other party may be simply uncooperative and may refuse to accept responsibility. We may believe that we will have a better chance of securing more compensation on your behalf by having a jury award damages.

Because every case is different, we take care in determining whether to work toward a negotiated settlement or take a client's case to trial in order to seek a jury award on his or her behalf. There are potential benefits to either approach, and we must therefore carefully weigh these to ensure that we make the right decision based on the unique circumstances of the case.

An Attorney Can Make a Difference in the Value of Your Settlement or Verdict

As a San Diego injury lawyer, Mark Bush can provide you with experienced and dedicated legal counsel inside or outside the civil courtroom. Our firm handles personal injury claims for clients throughout the San Diego area, including those that involve car accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, nursing home abuse and much more.

Contact a San Diego personal injury lawyer today to learn more about settlements and verdicts in injury claims.