What is a settlement in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

A settlement in a personal injury case in Texas is an agreement between the plaintiff (the person who has been injured and bringing the claim/demand/lawsuit) and the defendant (the person or entity who is being sued) to resolve the case without a trial. A settlement can occur prior to the filing of a lawsuit or after a lawsuit has been filed. Thus, usually it is a said that settlement can occur at any time after the incident.

Typically, in a settlement, the plaintiff agrees to release the defendant from all liability stemming from the incident in exchange for a payment from the defendant or from the defendant’s insurance company. If a lawsuit has been filed then the release of liability is usually accompanied by the plaintiff filing a dismissal for the case.

In the end, whether to settle a personal injury case in Texas is a decision that depends on the specific circumstances of each case and the needs and goals of the parties involved. It is important for the plaintiff to carefully consider all of their options and to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney before making a decision.