San Francisco Injury Lawyer Blog

Television and movies depict lawsuits to be quick, easy and mostly taking place in the courtroom. This is a common misperception, and in reality, only a very small percentage of civil lawsuits actually make it to trial. Lawsuits can actually be incredibly painstaking, and may drag on for years and years. The stress and costs of attorneys and the court process may make the procedure not worthwhile at the end. These are just a few of the reasons why settlements are so popular in civil lawsuits. Settlements are beneficial to both parties because both sides will likely get what they want, and do not have to risk putting the issue up to the judge or a jury.

Settlements may happen from the very beginning of the lawsuit to possibly the night before the verdict comes out from a jury or bench trial. The attorneys on both sides of the case may evaluate the amount of damage that could be done if the case goes to trial compared to the amount that the other party would settle the case for. For example, a large insurance company may settle a case for $25,000 if the entire lawsuit could cost them over $100,000 in attorney fees, especially if the chance of the victim winning is slightly increased because of certain circumstances. Many times, corporations or insurance companies being sued may request that a confidentiality agreement be signed before it agrees to settle a lawsuit. The victim may see that as an opportunity to get the lawsuit out of the way while still obtaining some compensation for his damages. Settlements may also include a provision which says that the party being sued does not admit liability for the lawsuit, or that the victim will not sue them in the future for any related injuries.

Settlements are beneficial for several reasons, but it all depends on the circumstances of your case. If you are in the middle of a lawsuit and do not have the benefit of counsel, or you want to pursue a lawsuit to recover damages for injuries that you have suffered, you need to call Greenberg & Rudman LLP immediately. Our attorneys have been involved in lawsuits against large corporations and insurance companies and could help you in your lawsuit. Give us a call at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO) for a free and confidential consultation of your case. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis—this means that you do not pay us unless we win your case for you. Check out our website, www.alawpro.com to read more about the areas of law that we practice.