A lot of legal cases will be settled before they reach the courts. There are a number of reasons why settling is beneficial to both parties involved, e.g. if you have an amount of money or compensation in mind and you receive it then you are satisfied and the other side avoids the bad PR and legal costs that come with taking someone to court. However, it is important to be aware what deal is right for you and here are a few examples of when is the right time to settle a case.
Divorce can be devastating in both financial and emotional terms. However, there are ways to limit this and a period of mediation allows both partners to discuss any issues and reach an informal agreement. Essentially, if you can find a way to compromise in terms of money, access and so forth then this is the ideal time to settle.
Employment
If you feel you have been dismissed unfairly your employer may offer you an amount to prevent any action going any further (a tribunal could be especially embarrassing, particularly if it highlights any violations in terms of health and safety, workers’ rights etc).
It is recommended you wait around ten days before agreeing to settle with an employer. After this time if you still feel what they have to offer is not enough then you can take it further.
Compensation
Compensation has in some respects gained a bit of a bad reputation. The purpose of any compensation payment is to give people back the money they would have received had they been able to work. While there may be some additional costs there should be a figure in mind that you should go into any negotiations with (as with any negotiations your legal representative is likely to recommend you aim a bit higher, especially as this could cover any costs involved with pursuing a claim).
Medical negligence
Arguably one of the most complex legal cases, as it is important that before discussing a possible settlement that you have a clear argument and evidence showing that a medical professional was responsible for any wrongdoing.
Travel
This has recently been in the news regarding potential compensation for not being allowed on a flight (other examples of possible claims may include a flight being delayed for more than three hours or other forms of disruption).
Before accepting an offer of compensation from your provider you should check to see that what they have offered is in line with current guidelines.
Why you need legal advice
These are just a few examples of situations where you may be offered a settlement or some form of compensation. A legal representative should be able to tell you the likelihood of a possible verdict (they cannot guarantee it), create a draft settlement and be able to guide you in terms of how much you could be entitled to.
If you have been offered a settlement and are not sure whether or not accept it contact Larcomes now and talk to our legal specialists to help ensure that you get the best possible deal from any settlement.