FAQ: How long does a personal injury or workers’ compensation case take to finish?
February 7, 2018 | Article by Chain | Cohn | Clark staff | Tips & Information , Video Social Share
For many people who come to see Chain | Cohn | Clark, it is their first time ever hiring an attorney. The legal process is simply foreign for them.
And for this reason, many are surprised to learn how long it takes for a personal injury or workers’ compensation case to resolve from start to finish.
To discuss this issue, Chain | Cohn | Clark attorney Matt Clark has recorded a short video focusing on the length of an average case, and why they typically take as long as they do to resolve.
You can learn more about this topic, and learn the answer, below. And if you have other questions related to a personal injury, accident or workers’ compensation legal issue, visit Chain | Cohn | Clark’s Frequently Asked Questions page.
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One of the questions we get asked almost every time by new clients is how long will this case take to finish? In my years of experience, other lawyers don’t do a good job of explaining the legal process in injury claim. I’ll address it here. On average, a personal injury claim takes somewhere between 12 to 24 months to resolve. That being said, some are resolved quicker and some take more than 2 years. But average, cases take between 1 to 2 years.
You might ask why? Let me address that. From the day we meet with clients, there may be instances where we file a lawsuit right away, and others not right away. In Kern County, which has an efficient legal system, it takes 12 to 18 months to get a trial date. And that date is the light at the end of your tunnel for your case. During those 12-18 months, a lot of things can happen. We go through a process called “discovery,” where we exchange information. That seems simple, but it’s actually a lengthy process where we requests documents, interrogatories, admissions, subpoenas and take depositions, which is a statement by witnesses and you under oath. The exchange of all the information takes many months. It’s also important to note, the filing of a lawsuit doesn’t always mean it will end in a trial. We do handle every case as if it’s going to trial. It ensures that we are prepared for trial, and makes certain that defense attorneys know we are ready. And that goes a long way to settle your case for the highest amount, or toward a successful verdict.
We make it our goal at Chain | Cohn | Clark to ensure that your case is handled as quickly and efficiently as possible. All we do is handle injury and accident cases. Whether minor or severe injuries are suffered, your circumstance can be life-changing. It’s important to be able to move on with your life as quickly as possible. So we’ll do everything we can to make sure your case is resolved, so you can move on with your life, and without delay.
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If you or someone you know is in in need of a Bakersfield personal injury lawyer lawyer or workers’ compensation case, contact the lawyers for a free consultation at (661) 323-4000.
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