If you have been harmed by another, you may be paid compensation without ever having to set foot in a court of law. Read on to find out why you might not have to file a lawsuit while still being paid what you deserve.
Demand and Settle
When you've been injured through no fault of your own, you can agree to settle the case out of court. Settlements allow victims to be paid far faster than filing a lawsuit and they tend to be less stressful to deal with too. Here's how a settlement works:
- After speaking with a personal injury lawyer, a demand letter is sent to the other party. This letter details why the victim is owed money, the evidence to support those claims, and how much the victim will accept.
- The other side, wary of having to go to court, may either accept the demand or make a counteroffer. The victim's lawyer may spend a few days or weeks negotiating the settlement.
- Once both sides are in agreement, the victim signs a release promising not to take action against the other side in a court of law. A few weeks later, the victim gets their agreed-upon sum of money in compensation.
Join a Class Action
If you've been hurt by a product or practice of a business, there's a good chance that others have too. When many plaintiffs come together and take legal action against a party, that is a class-action lawsuit. Being a member of the class means that you were harmed by a product or practice in a similar fashion that others were. The big benefit of a class action is that members never have to appear in court since most class action suits are settled and very few are asked to testify if there is a trial.
Get Paid By an Insurer
Almost all businesses and government entities have insurance to protect them from the potential for a lawsuit when an injury occurs. If your injuries are fairly minor, filing a claim with the insurance carrier could result in payment of your expenses. Don't expect to be paid for pain and suffering by filing an insurance claim, but you might be paid for medical expenses, lost or damaged personal property, and lost wages. For example, if you tripped over an extension cord at a store and had a sprained ankle, ruined clothing, and missed a few days of work, this sort of payment could be sufficient.
Before you make any decisions, speak to a personal injury lawyer to get additional info. They can take a look at your case and help you make the right decision that results in getting the compensation you need and deserve.
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