Settling Out of Court

When a person is injured by the careless actions of another party, it is only fair for him or her to receive compensation for related losses. However, injured parties do not always choose to pursue this. Many people are wary of filing legal claims because they envision long, costly legal battles. Winning compensatory damages may not seem worth the effort.

However, winning justice does not always require an extensive civil trial. In fact, the majority of lawsuits are settled out of court. The fact is that defendants in civil claims do not like the idea of going to court any more than plaintiffs do. For more information about settlements and South Carolina personal injury law, contact a Charleston personal injury lawyer from the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800.

What is a Settlement?

Either party involved in a lawsuit can offer to settle at any point before the case is over. This entails offering a contract that addresses the other party’s concerns and attempts to reach a fair solution. If the other party accepts, this contract will be submitted to the court and eventually made into a court order.

The advantage of formalizing settlements into court orders is that it retains the court’s authority over the matter. If one party fails to honor the order – for example, if a defendant fails to pay the full amount owed to the plaintiff – that person or entity can be held in contempt of court. Without the court order, the plaintiff would have to file another civil suit simply to have the settlement enforced.

Settlements can be the best option for plaintiffs and defendants alike. However, they can also be a tactic to avoid paying plaintiffs the full amount they are owed. One of our experienced Charleston personal injury settlement attorneys can help you determine if a settlement is the right solution in your case.

Contact Us

Negotiating a fair legal settlement takes the assistance of a knowledgeable Charleston personal injury settlement lawyer. For more information, contact the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800.