Every year, approximately 40 million people file lawsuits. If you are one of these individuals, you might be surprised by how long your case is taking.
Settling a lawsuit never happens overnight, as lawsuits take time and work.
So, what do you do in the meantime while you’re waiting for your settlement check?
Well, one thing you can do is learn more about the settlement check timeline. By learning about this, you can find ways to handle your situation while you wait.
If you’re in this situation and feel overwhelmed and anxious to receive your check, here are seven tips to help you get through this time while you wait for your settlement.
1. Understand That the Process Takes Time
You cannot file a lawsuit and settle immediately; this is just not how it works. Instead, filing a lawsuit is a process that takes time.
The process begins with a meeting with a lawyer. The lawyer reviews the case, evidence, and facts and determines how to proceed. If the lawyer believes there is plenty of evidence, he or she will file the lawsuit.
This step initiates the lawsuit but is just one of many steps that must occur before the case settles.
2. Learn About the Settlement Check Timeline
Learning about the process of receiving a settlement check may help you understand the amount of time it might take. As mentioned, the first step is filing the case. After that, the defendant in the case must respond.
When you file a lawsuit, you are the plaintiff. The person you file the case against is the defendant. Unless the defendant willingly agrees to admit guilt and pay you for the damages you are requesting, the case will take some time.
The case takes time because both parties must research the evidence. They may look for witnesses and facts to use to represent themselves, and both parties need time to build their cases.
You cannot receive your settlement check until you settle the case. Even once the case settles, it may still take a few weeks to receive the check.
3. Ask Your Lawyer for Financial Protection
The benefit of waiting to settle is the potential to receive a higher amount of compensation. The downside is trying to live without any financial compensation during this time.
One thing you can do while you wait is to ask your lawyer for financial protection. If you were injured in the incident and have heaps of medical bills, your lawyer can work out arrangements with the healthcare providers for these bills.
The healthcare providers would likely agree to hold off on pursuing collections from you until your case settles. Your lawyer would list them on your paperwork as lienholders, and they would be entitled to receive payment as soon as you get paid.
Working out these arrangements with all your creditors can relieve some of the stress and burdens you face while waiting.
4. Understand the Risks of Settling Too Soon
Settling a case too soon often means agreeing to less compensation. If you have serious injuries, your lawyer will advise you to wait as long as possible before settling.
If this bothers you, you might want to ask, “Why is my lawyer taking so long to settle my case?” Lawyers wait because waiting benefits you and them.
Waiting to settle helps you determine the full extent of your injuries and damages from the incident. It also gives you more evidence to request more compensation. You will likely receive a larger compensation package if you wait.
5. Find out the Differences in Settling vs. a Trial
Another essential thing you can do is learn about the differences between settling a case and going to trial. Going to trial will take even longer than settling, and it presents more risks than settling.
Going to trial for your case presents the opportunity for a court to decide who wins the case. A trial also gives the court the chance to decide how much your settlement is worth.
Settling a lawsuit is the process that lawyers use to work together with both parties to reach a mutual agreement. Settling a case still takes time, but it will be faster than going through a trial.
6. Follow Through With Your Part to Speed It Up
As you start getting closer to the end of your case, you will eventually get the settlement check. The defendant must send the check to your lawyer, though.
When your lawyer receives it, he or she distributes it. The lawyer will take some of the money for the fees earned for handling the case. Lawyers generally charge a specific percentage for their fees.
Next, your lawyer will pay all your creditors listed on the lawsuit. After that, you will receive the remaining amount.
You might be wondering if settlement checks come in the mail. The answer is yes. They might be sent to you in the mail, or your lawyer might suggest stopping by the law firm to pick up your check.
7. Consider a Lawsuit Settlement Loan
If your case is taking too long and you really need some money now, you can access your settlement funds before you receive the check.
To do this, you should pursue a lawsuit settlement advance. A lawsuit settlement advance is like a loan, but you do not have to repay it.
You get the cash from your lawsuit settlement before you settle, and your lawyer pays the lender when your settlement check arrives.
Using a lawsuit settlement advance is one of the best solutions for people who need some money while they wait for their lawsuit settlements to arrive.
Settling a Lawsuit Takes Time and Work
The settlement check timeline varies from case to case, but you should expect it to take a while.
If you’re struggling to get by while you wait for your check, you can do something about it. Talk to your lawyer for advice, and check out the rest of our blog for more useful articles on the subject of lawsuit settlements.
