Free Initial Case EvaluationSeven Stages of a Case
Most cases have seven stages. They are (1) injury, (2) treatment, (3) investigation, (4) negotiations, (5) lawsuit/litigation, (6) mediation, and (7) trial/appeal. If you are wondering how long you case will take, or when it will settle, you should read each of the following articles.
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The injury stage is the first stage of a case, and it is simply what started the case and why you have a case. |
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The treatment stage is the second stage of a case. Once your are hurt, the most important thing to do is get medical treatment, and get it quickly. |
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Investigation is actually an overlapping stage. It begins the second a case happens, and carries on long into the case. |
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Demand, Offer, and Initial Negotiations is the middle stage of a case. Once you have completed medical treatment, and sufficient investigation has been completed, your attorney can start evaluating your case, and make a damand for payment. |
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Filing Suit & Litigation: when your case cannot settle initially, it requires that lawsuit be filed. There are several stages of a lawsuit. A suit starts when suit papers are filed, and it is completed when the case is finally tried. |
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Mediation is a settlement-negotiation conference where a neutral person acts as a referee to get the case settled. |
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Trial & Appeal is the final stage, and it usually occurs because both sides fundamentally disagree on some or all important issues in a case. |