Personal Injury Mediation

The plaintiff broke a bone. Developed a respiratory condition. Ended up disabled.  Or worse: dead. Maybe there was a suspect arrest or a more far reaching governmental infringement of rights.  The defendant has heard this before and is suspect of both liability and the claimed injuries.

Personal injury actions span a wide range of severity and complexity.  Plaintiffs and defendants often see just compensation very differently. Lawsuits can drag on for years creating uncertainty on both sides.  Plaintiffs may need compensation quickly.  Defendants want to limit costs and control future payouts as well.  Policy changes may or may not be part of the equation.

Mediation can be expedient and help balance risks for all parties.

For defendants, mediation can provide resolutions with a sense of perspective and proportion.  It can limit litigation costs.  Large settlements, which must be justified and consistent both with available means and other potential suits, can be considered outside the public arena.  Sometimes mediation can provide an avenue for a non-monetary resolution, and reveal where better risk analysis needs to be done.

For plaintiffs, cases can often be resolved more quickly, and with an eye toward an outcome with fewer risks.  While money is always an issue, sometimes there is more – an apology, an assurance that what happened won’t happen again (to anyone), a policy change – something that a court or a jury cannot award.

To learn more,schedule a personal injury mediation consultation