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No. Some claims resolve through negotiation; others require a lawsuit and may proceed to trial. Settlement, timing, and compensation cannot be promised.
Evaluation examines facts, evidence, responsible parties, harm, and deadlines. Further steps may include out-of-court demands, evidence preservation, and negotiations. Litigation can involve document exchange, written questions, and sworn testimony.
Be prepared to help gather information and attend proceedings when needed. Evidence and defenses may change the assessment over time. Settlement decisions require consideration of the full agreement and consequences with individual advice.
From evaluation to a lawsuit
Initial review identifies facts, records, injuries, responsible parties, insurance, and deadlines. If representation is accepted, steps may include demands, evidence preservation, document requests, and out-of-court negotiation.
If suit is necessary, it identifies parties, facts, negligence, harm, and requested relief. State or federal court depends on jurisdiction. Formal service and responses bring defendants into the proceedings and identify defenses under procedural rules.
Discovery and experts
Records, policies, reports, videos, maintenance documents, and safety protocols may be exchanged. Interrogatories are written questions generally answered under oath; production requests seek documents.
Depositions are sworn statements outside trial, in person or by video, with a record of the testimony. Parties, witnesses, employees, physicians, or experts may testify. Preparation and transcription can create significant costs.
Depending on the dispute, medical specialists, mental-health professionals, economists, accountants, engineers, safety experts, or accident reconstruction specialists may participate. Defenses concerning responsibility, preexisting conditions, and causation are also examined.
Settlement, trial, and timing
Negotiation may occur at different stages. Without agreement, the case may proceed to trial before a judge or, when applicable, a jury. The client may need to testify along with witnesses and experts.
Litigation can take several years. Complexity, party count, discovery, experts, motions, and the court calendar affect timing. A payment date or amount cannot be predicted. Remain available, respond to requests, continue recommended care, and communicate changes.
The answer for your situation depends on the facts and records. An inquiry does not suspend legal deadlines or guarantee that the office will accept the case.