In our experience, most clients who settle a personal injury case are eager to receive their settlement. It makes sense. These cases are stressful and can take months to conclude, even when it seems like your lawsuit should be a slam dunk. Fortunately, you shouldn’t have to wait too long to receive compensation after a Washington D.C. brain injury lawyer from our firm finalizes the negotiation for your compensation.
How Long Should It Take to Recieve a Settlement?
Once the settlement has been reached and the paperwork has been finalized, it should not take long at all to receive your compensation. Sometimes it takes just a few days, but it can also take up to a few weeks. Considering how long negotiations can stretch on for, the wait for your final settlement is unlikely to be that bad in comparison.
Some things can delay your settlement though. Sometimes unexpected paperwork can cause a delay. It can also be more difficult to receive your compensation if you are not suing an insurer. For example, if you were hit by an uninsured driver then you may have to jump through more hoops to compel the defendant to pay.
Can I Choose to Receive a Settlement as Structured Payments?
In some cases, a settlement is offered in a series of structured payments. If you are fine waiting for a significant portion of your compensation to come in, this can sometimes be a good way to secure a larger settlement. You can tell your lawyer whether you would prefer a lump sum or if being paid off over time is an acceptable prospect.
Can My Health Insurer Take Some of My Compensation?
Another thing that could delay your settlement is if someone else believes that they are owed money from it. A common example of this is a health insurer. If you had medical bills and your insurer paid for care, then they could try to reclaim what they spent before you get your compensation.
This is called subrogation. An insurer might try to take back all of what they spent or just a portion of it. Sometimes they can be negotiated with and convinced to take a smaller portion of your settlement.
What Can My Settlement Be Used For?
Once you do receive your compensation, it should make up for the economic and non-economic losses you faced as a result of your injuries. A fair settlement offer addresses:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment
- Property damages
- Pain and suffering
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been hurt in an accident and you believe that someone else was responsible for your injuries, contact Trombly & Singer, PLLC. We have experience with all kinds of accident cases, from car accidents to serious falls. Schedule your consultation today.