It’s not easy nor calming to be in the midst of a lawsuit, especially not one that relates to a difficulty you’ve been through. Sure, you may be entitled to a fair amount of compensation in some cases, but that doesn’t mean the process is a pleasant one, nor does it override the injury that was done to you in the first place.
In large lawsuits, you may even attract the attention of a firm’s entire legal capacity and resources, meaning that the process could be long, thorough and difficult to handle. Because of all the emotions involved, it’s very easy to make a mistake if you’re not careful. Educated legal help, provided by trusted names such as the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp, should be retained for their legal knowledge, but also their calm, focused hand in such matters.
It’s why lawyers say “he who represents himself has a fool for a client,” because even if you have a textbook understanding of the law, your own involvement in any case of note is enough to impede your judgment. In this post, we’ll discuss how to avoid sabotaging a lawsuit, especially those with consequences you deeply care about.
Don’t Speak to the Opposition Personally
Diplomatic people can easily feel they need to reach out to the other party directly, thinking they can work things out or get them to see their side of the story. Maybe you want to explain how their actions affected you or try to reason with them about settling things fairly. This almost never goes the way you hope it will.
Anything you say to them can be used against you later, even if you think you’re being careful with your words. They might record the conversation, twist what you said, or use your attempt to communicate as evidence that you’re not as injured or affected as you claim to be. Let your lawyer handle all communication with the other side. That’s what they’re there for, and they know how to protect your interests while still moving the case forward.
Take Your Time
When you’re dealing with legal deadlines and pressure from insurance companies or opposing counsel, it’s not uncommon to feel a great sense of impatience. Lawsuits aren’t fun, you just want it over with. You may also get calls asking for immediate responses or documents that need to be signed quickly. The truth is, most things in a lawsuit can wait long enough for you to think them through properly.
If someone pressures you to make a quick decision about a settlement offer or asks you to sign something on the spot, tell them you need time to review it with your attorney. Rushing into agreements because you’re tired of dealing with the whole mess almost always leads to accepting less than you deserve. Remember, if someone is hurrying you (and they’re not advocating for you), then odds are your hurried response is going to favor them. Ask yourself how.
Be Clear About Your Story
Remember that you need to be consistent about any complaint you make. If you tell different versions of what happened at different times, the opposing side will use those discrepancies to question your credibility. Think through the events carefully and stick to the facts as you remember them, even if some details are fuzzy, be honest about that with your attorney.
If you don’t remember something clearly, it’s better to say you’re not sure than to guess and potentially contradict yourself later. Your lawyer can help you organize your thoughts and prepare for both sides of that, it’s what they’re great at doing.
With this advice, you’ll be sure to avoid sabotaging your lawsuit, which even smart people can fall into if they’re not careful.
