If you have never been involved in a personal injury claim before, you would be forgiven for assuming that a premises liability lawsuit, like a criminal trial, includes court appearances. In reality, the vast majority of these claims never see the inside of a courtroom, usually because all parties are able to agree to a private settlement without needing the involvement of a civil judge or jury.
You may have a better chance of success with your claim if you have an understanding of the steps that go into starting, pursuing, and concluding this type of litigation, especially if you have support from capable legal counsel along the way. At Largey Law Firm, our experienced premises liability attorneys could help you navigate the Lake County premises liability case process as efficiently as possible.
Investigating the Accident and Assessing Damages
A significant portion of the property owner liability case process occurs before you formally file suit in Lake County. This is because it may take weeks or even months of work to establish exactly how an accident happened, collect evidence to demonstrate how the landowner was at fault, and identify all the compensable losses suffered. Professional legal guidance could make this stage of the proceedings more straightforward.
Sending a Demand Letter
Once your premises liability case is ready, your attorney will formally begin legal proceedings in Lake County by sending a demand letter to the property owner named as the defendant in your claim and to their insurance provider. This letter will generally include a summary of the grounds for the suit, an overview of the evidence supporting it, and a demand for a specific amount of money to cover specific losses.
Settlement Negotiations
Often, Lake County property owners and insurers who receive demand letters as part of the liability claim process will respond with a counteroffer of a lower amount of compensation, along with details about their perspective on your claim. There are usually several rounds of back-and-forth negotiations to arrive at the settlement terms that would be acceptable to all involved parties, sometimes with assistance from third-party mediators.
Does My Case Have To Go to Trial in Civil Court?
Most Lake County premises liability claims end after the private settlement process. However, if you cannot reach a fair settlement agreement or if the other side refuses to negotiate in good faith, you have the right to formally file suit. After an initial discovery period and other pre-trial procedures, both sides will have opportunities to present evidence and testimony before a civil judge or jury, which—if there is still no private settlement agreement by that point—will issue a final, binding verdict on the case.
Discuss Property Owner Liability Case Procedures With a Lake County Attorney
In some situations, it may be possible to appeal a civil court decision on procedural or legal grounds. However, for most people, the Lake County premises liability case process ends after trial. Make no mistake: this is not a process you should face without skilled legal support.
At Largey Law Firm, our compassionate legal team is prepared to provide the personalized, hands-on guidance you need to pursue fair compensation for your damages. Call today for a free consultation.
