Settlement Before Trial: The Process of Litigation in Florida

The image you may have in your head of a full court with an injured party and their lawyer fighting the powers that be is rarely the case in many civil lawsuits in Florida. The fact is, most of these suits are settled far in advance of ever proceeding to court. This is a good thing. It serves you because you get your money and other damages owed sooner so that you can heal, rebuild or move on with your life, whatever the case may be. It is also in the best interest of the other party because it avoids lengthy, expensive and contentious court proceedings and it gets them out of having to pay a potentially larger court-ordered sum. Win, win.

But regardless of whether a case goes to trial or is settled in advance, there are exhaustive preparations that need to be made to make sure your case is complete and all your bases are covered. In the same token that many people picture that large court proceeding with a jury, judge and attorneys arguing both sides of the case, when people hear “litigation,” they may think “trial.” But litigation is really the entire process of resolving a case, and it starts long before any potential jury selection or witness is called to the stand.

There is always a fair amount of investigation and there can even be negotiations before a case is ever filed. If the negotiations don’t go well, only then would there be a decision to file suit. With the filing of that suit there are many tedious requirements of how, what and when the filing must take place. After this, an extensive discovery process takes place in which there is a deeper investigation, witness interviews document collection and more to help you build your claim.

While all this is happening and the trial date is approaching there will usually be a number of pretrial conferences, motions to dismiss and suppress, and settlement negotiations. It is here when having an experienced and successful lawyer on your side is vital.

Few people really want to go to trial. It’s a long and arduous process and every day longer that it lasts is another day without your settlement. Additionally, once a case reaches the court it is out of your hands and in the hands of a judge or jury.

Your most critical asset throughout the entire process is your attorney. Consider them your ally and confidante every step of the way. If you are an injured party seeking settlement, contact Jacobs Legal today to receive the help you need and the compensation you deserve.