Personal injury cases come with their own vocabulary. Here are the terms that matter most.
Demand letter: The plaintiff's written request to the carrier outlining liability, damages, and the settlement amount sought.
Mediation: Structured settlement negotiation with a neutral mediator. Resolves the majority of cases that don't settle informally.
Discovery: The pre-trial process of exchanging documents and taking depositions. Often the longest phase of a litigated case.
Lien: A legal claim against your settlement from medical providers, health insurers, or government payers.
Subrogation: The right of an insurer to recover what it paid for accident-related care out of your settlement.
Non-recourse: A funding agreement that can only be collected from the settlement, not from you personally.
