Preparing for Personal Injury Mediation

Many personal injury lawsuits are settled out of court in mediation. Mediation is a method of alternative dispute resolution. In mediation, guided negotiations are supervised by a trained mediator. Many mediators are former attorneys or judges, professionals with background knowledge of and familiarity with New York laws regarding personal injury claims.

Mediation is less formal than proceedings in a New York civil court, which is where personal injury cases are litigated. You need to prepare to achieve your desired result in mediation and avoid going to trial. Although our guide to preparing for mediation isn’t a substitute for your personalized legal advice from a New York personal injury lawyer, it can give you an overview of what to expect.

What to Expect in the Mediation Process

The parties must select a mutually agreeable mediator. One side will propose a mediator, and the other will evaluate them, examine their credentials, and determine that they don’t have a bias. Once a mediator is chosen, the plaintiff and defendant can agree on a time and place for the mediation session to occur, or the mediator will set it up.

Some mediation may be done via video or phone call, while other sessions are in person. The mediator may have all parties in the same room for part of the mediation and separate the parties at times. The attorneys stay with their clients. The mediator goes back and forth between the parties, proposing what they’ve asked for and helping both parties find an acceptable compromise.

A mediation session usually starts with opening statements from each party. The mediator asks each side what they want to achieve. Your mediator’s role is to help each side focus on their goals. They cannot take sides or make rulings or decisions for you but may answer your questions.

Mediation Preparation Checklist

Look over your personal injury claim carefully. What is most important to you, and what are you okay with giving up? For example, if you’re permanently disabled due to the accident, it may be very important to you that your settlement covers future medical care and loss of earning potential. So, you may be willing to reduce the amount you requested in pain and suffering compensation to achieve these goals.

You may also have a “tiered game plan,” which could include the best possible outcome, a good outcome, an outcome you can live with (but isn’t as good as you’d like), and your walk-away point, the point at which negotiations are no longer useful and a trial may be the better option.

Your lawyer may have specific things they want you to bring, prepare, or think about before mediation. This could include up-to-date medical records, current statements for the cost of treatment, medication costs, mileage to and from doctor’s appointments, and medical device receipts.

Make sure that your demands are all in writing prior to mediation. This process is about compromise, not sudden surprises or asking for much more money than you initially did.

You and your lawyer can work together to determine the right checklist for your session.

Do’s: What To Say During Mediation

Your attorney will be with you and can advise you about what to say and when to stop talking. There are a few things to remember to do to get the best possible outcome:

• Do use nice manners. Be polite, refrain from swearing, and address the mediator with respect.
• Do speak up about your needs and advocate for yourself.
• Do tell the truth. You may not have to tell your opponent everything (follow your lawyer’s advice), but you could jeopardize your claim if you start lying.
• Remember that in mediation, you have more control than you think. If your case goes to trial, you do not control the outcome.

Listen to your lawyer. They may realize that your case isn’t a home run and could advise you that a mediated settlement, even if it’s not your ideal one, could be a lot better than you could get from a jury or judge.

Don’ts: What Not to Say During Mediation

You don’t have to lay all your cards on the table at mediation. Your attorney may keep some things in their pocket in case of a trial. However, mediation is less formal than a trial, and you can introduce evidence that may not be admissible in a trial but is still relevant to your case.

Some other things to avoid in mediation:

• Don’t lose your cool. If you start feeling angry or upset, you can ask for a break to consult with your lawyer and collect yourself.
• Don’t start playing the blame game. Mediation aims to find a financial compromise, not throw accusations around.

Finally, stay off your phone and stay off social media. It could be tempting to send updates to friends and family or even post on your socials. Remember that if you can’t settle in mediation, your case will move to trial, and whatever you post online or say could be used against you by the defense.

Additionally, many mediated settlement agreements include a confidentiality clause. If you’re talking about what’s going on in mediation, and the other party wants confidentiality, your posts or texts could give them a reason to abandon the process.

Do You Need Help Preparing for Mediation?

Have you been asked to go to mediation for your personal injury claim? If you haven’t secured legal services yet, there’s still time. A personal injury attorney from Harris Keenan & Goldfarb can represent you in mediation, even if you’ve already initiated a claim with the other party.

An attorney may be able to get a better outcome for you in mediation than you could alone. They’re your cool-headed guide during negotiations and can help you focus on the most important things you want to achieve during mediation. Don’t walk away with less than the maximum compensation for your claim. Contact us today for a free case review. Call 1-800-PAIN-LAW now.

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