What Is Mediation?
If you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, you naturally want the matter resolved. After all, you’re watching your medical bills mount while your earnings stall – all while you face a looming trial. It’s not a great situation to be in, and if there’s an alternative, you’d probably want to know about it. That’s where mediation can come in, so keep reading to get a better feel for what mediation might be able to offer you. The first matter of business, however, is consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney in the Clearwater and Tampa Bay area.
How Does Mediation Work?
Many people who’ve never been to mediation have no idea what to expect and just assume that it’s like going to court but happens to be called mediation (by some quirk of the law). This is not, however, the case at all. In fact, all of the following are true of mediation (in striking contrast to going to court):
- Mediation embraces a far less formal setup than court does.
- Mediation is not binding unless you sign off on the settlement you agree to in mediation.
- The mediator is a professional mediator who is experienced at helping opposing parties find middle ground but is not a judge and can’t impose orders.
- Mediation is private. If you end up settling at mediation, it remains a private matter (this is not true of cases that go to trial, which are a matter of public record).
- There are no constraints regarding scheduling mediation (other than the schedules of the parties, attorneys, and the mediator involved).
- Mediation can save you an immense amount of time and an immense amount of money in litigation fees, expert testimonies, accident recreation, and more,
- If you settle at mediation, you do not have the threat of an appeal – and the time and expense it involves – hanging over your head.
In other words, mediation has much to recommend it as a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
What Happens in Mediation Stays in Mediation
Better understanding how mediations work - as explained by a lawyer can help you get a better handle on what mediation may be able to offer you regarding your personal injury claim. At mediation, you and the defendant (generally a rep from the insurance company covering the claim) and your respective personal injury attorneys will initially meet with the mediator to set the ground rules.
From here, you will break off into two spaces (one for you and one for the defendant), and the mediator will go back and forth between you, while you attempt to agree to a settlement that both sides are willing to sign off on. The casual atmosphere and the give-and-take involved can be an immense help when it comes to finding middle ground between opposing parties.
Consult with an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in the Clearwater and Tampa Bay Area Today
The dedicated personal injury attorneys at Tragos, Sartes & Tragos – proudly serving the Tampa Bay and Clearwater area – are on your side and here to help, so please don’t wait to contact us online or call us at (727) 441-9030 today.