What’s the Difference Between a Verdict and a Settlement?
When a person is injured because of the negligence of another, they may seek compensation for their losses (damages) through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. This compensation can come in the form of a verdict, or more commonly, an out-of-court settlement. The difference between a verdict and a settlement is that a verdict is decided in court and a settlement is an agreement between the plaintiff and defendant outside of court. Personal injury lawyers work hard to negotiate a favorable settlement for their clients because it is usually in everyone’s best interest to avoid a trial. When a fair settlement cannot be reached, personal injury attorneys represent their clients in court to fight for a verdict by trial.
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How to Protect Yourself from Violent Crime Committed by Strangers
While we shouldn’t sit around worrying about being the potential victim of violent crime committed by strangers, it’s also a good idea to take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Here are some examples of violence committed by strangers:
- Aggravated assault
- Mugging
- Sexual violence / rape
- Armed robbery
- School shootings, workplace shootings, and other mass shootings
- Homicide
How to Collect Your Money After a Personal Injury Judgment
The vast majority of personal injury claims are concluded with a settlement paid by the at-fault insurer. Personal injury lawyers work hard to negotiate full and fair settlements on behalf of their injury clients because it is preferable over taking a case to trial for several reasons. When a settlement cannot be negotiated out of court, the case is brought to trial. If the judge or jury finds the defendant liable for the plaintiff’s injuries, they may issue an injury judgment that is legally binding. In some situations, the debtor either refuses to follow the court order or cannot afford to pay the amount of the judgment. The question becomes: How to Collect Your Money After a Personal Injury Judgment?
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Personal Injury Terms for Understanding Your Personal Injury Claim
If you have been injured in an accident or by other circumstance because of the fault of another, you may be able to recover damages through a personal injury settlement. We understand that some of the terms used in personal injury law are not part of regular conversation. Read on to learn some basic personal injury terms that may help you better understand your personal injury claim.
Personal Injury Terms for Understanding Your Personal Injury Claim
Here are some useful terms for understanding your personal injury claim:
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6 Types of Catastrophic Injuries
When someone is seriously injured in a way that affects their ability to function the way they did before the accident, they may have experienced a catastrophic injury. In addition to the potential for a lifetime of pain and suffering, a catastrophic injury can prevent the victim from earning a living or becoming a parent because of permanent disability or impairment. In most cases, catastrophic injuries require extensive medical treatments, rehabilitation, and surgeries.
If your life has been turned upside down due to a catastrophic injury because of the negligence of another, seek the help of a personal injury lawyer. The injury attorney will discuss your legal rights and evaluate the circumstances of your case to determine next steps.
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Top 5 Reasons Insurance Companies Lowball Insurance Settlement Offers
If there is one thing you need to know about insurance companies it’s that they aren’t in business to pay out fair settlements. Their priority is their bottom line, not their clients and certainly not the person injured by one of their clients. If you were injured because of the negligence of another such as in a car accident, you likely received a call from the at-fault insurer shortly after the accident claim, to ask questions that will benefit them and/or to make a lowball settlement offer. It is important to seek legal guidance from a personal injury lawyer before speaking to an insurance adjuster and definitely before accepting an insurance settlement offer.
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Avoid Slip & Fall Accidents in Wet Weather
We are transitioning from winter to spring and in the Pacific Northwest that means many days with wet roads and sidewalks. Wet surfaces are often slippery, which can dramatically increase the risk for a slip and fall accident. Simple preventative measures by walkers and property owners can help reduce the chances of a serious slip and fall injury.
Every year, thousands of Americans are the victim of a slip and fall accident, often through no fault of their own. When a fall and subsequent injury happens because of the negligence of another, the best thing to do is contact a slip and fall attorney to discuss your legal rights. For example, if you walked into a store with sopping wet floors that had no sign warning about the slippery surface, you may have a slip and fall claim. Your attorney will go over the details of your accident and let you know the best way to proceed.
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Seeking Justice for Elder Financial Abuse
Elder financial abuse is one of several kinds of elder abuse that involves the illegal or improper use of a senior’s assets or the abusive control of their financial assets by a trusted caregiver or caregiving organization. Seniors harmed by financial abuse can be left devastated – both financially and emotionally – which is why it’s so important for loved ones to keep a lookout for signs of elder financial abuse.
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Assault & Battery: Man Dead After Gunshot Wound in Ferndale WA
In a perfect world, we would be free from violence but sadly, sometimes physical altercations and attacks occur. When weapons are involved, the chances of a fatal injury increase dramatically. In an assault and battery incident, someone is harmed at the hands of another.
As reported by whatcom-news.com and kgmi.com, very early Sunday, January 23rd, a man was shot in front of the American Legion building in Ferndale WA. When Ferndale police and Whatcom County Fire District 7 personnel arrived at the scene about 12:20 a.m., they found the victim lying on the sidewalk outside the front of the building with bystanders administering first aid. The victim was transported by ambulance to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center where he later died. The official cause of death will be released after the autopsy report is released from the Whatcom County Medical Examiner.
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Tesla Recalls 475,00 cars for Increased Risk of Accidents
After discovering two safety issues that may increase the risk of accidents, Tesla is recalling more than 475,000 cars. The two defects were caused by design or design manufacturing problems and the separate recalls were filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at the end of December.
Defective products kill or injure thousands of Americans every year. In 2020 alone, almost 11 million people were treated in emergency departments for injuries they suffered after using consumer products. If you or a loved one was injured as a result of a defective product, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.