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The ABCs of Dealing With Domestic Violence

Domestic violence was a part of my family's life for years. When I made the decision to leave with my children, I had to rely on the law to provide the protection we needed. Sometimes, the system does not work as fast as we want. I soon learned that going at it alone without any guidance caused significant delays. I created this blog to help others who are seeking legal means to deal with an abusive ex. By making the right moves, it is possible to get the necessary protections in place so that you can also live a happier and healthier life.

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The ABCs of Dealing With Domestic Violence

3 Advantages of Settling a Personal Injury Case Instead of Going to Trial

by Gina Hill

People who have been seriously injured as the result of someone else's negligence might dream of going to trial and receiving millions of dollars. Everyone has heard of results like this. Court awards worth millions are issued on occasion, but it's relatively rare. Those cases usually involve severe, permanently disabling injuries.

Settling outside of court has important advantages for clients of a personal injury law firm. Unless negotiations break down and the lawyer knows the client deserves significantly higher financial compensation, settling typically is for the best.

A Faster Process

Settling is a significantly faster process than bringing the case in front of a jury, even if the negotiations take months. Lawyers need time to develop a court case. When they file the paperwork with the court, a judge must set a trial date within a reasonable time frame. However, a busy docket might have to schedule the trial far in the future. By then, a successful settlement could probably have been reached.

In addition, the court can reschedule a civil trial if a criminal trial interferes with the original date. Once the trial is held, even if the plaintiff wins, the insurer has the right to appeal the verdict. The company is not required to pay any compensation until after the appellate trial ends. There's a chance the insurer will win the appeal. Thus, wrapping up a civil case can take years.

Unpredictable Juries

One important reason for making every effort to settle is that juries are unpredictable. The jury could very well decide for the defendant. In that scenario, the plaintiff receives no compensation.

If jury members cannot reach an agreement after a certain amount of time, the judge declares a mistrial. Bringing a civil case to court again is allowed, but years have probably already gone by.

Trials Are Public

Another problem is the public nature of a trial. The proceedings and the outcome will be public record. Anyone can attend. This makes many plaintiffs uncomfortable. They don't want sensitive details revealed to co-workers, neighbors, and acquaintances. That's especially true since the insurer's legal team defends its side by portraying the plaintiff negatively. In contrast, a settlement is private.

Scheduling a Consultation

Personal injury lawyers know whether an offer is reasonable. The attorneys have experience negotiating fair settlements so clients receive the compensation they deserve. Anyone who wants to talk with a personal injury lawyer may schedule a free consultation.

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