Verdicts & Settlements

When a personal injury case has a successful outcome, compensation is recovered in the form of either a settlement or a verdict.

A settlement is an agreement that is negotiated between the plaintiff and the defendant. If there are multiple defendants, it is possible that one or more may choose to enter into a settlement negotiation and agreement while others decide to move to trial. Settlements are typically never considered until after the discovery phase of the legal process is complete and the defendant’s legal team has had sufficient time to review the evidence that has been collected.

judge’s gavelSettlements can be beneficial for both the plaintiff and the defendant. With a settlement, an appropriate amount has been agreed upon and generally speaking, the plaintiff can expect to receive that amount quickly. Additional legal fees are avoided by all parties because a lengthy trial has been avoided. Settlements are also typically kept private between the involved parties.

However, a settlement isn’t always the best option. First, because of the typical privacy involved, plaintiffs are unable to tell the public about the issue they dealt with and in most agreements, the defendant doesn’t actually admit to any wrongdoing. The amount received may also be significantly smaller than what could be won in court.

Trials are a way to take the fight to a courtroom before a judge and jury, however, there is always a risk involved. Trials can be lengthy, expensive, and they are a matter of public record. There is no way of knowing how much compensation the plaintiff may be awarded at the end of a trial.

Whatever path you choose, knowing that your attorney has successfully handled both settlements and verdicts can relieve part of the stress that comes with taking legal action.

At Schuster Jachetti LLP, our law firm has been defending the rights of accident victims in Delaware for more than three decades. We have helped thousands of clients get the compensation that they deserve and we always aggressively seek the maximum compensation in every case.

In the past, we have worked on cases that involved:

• auto accidents
• motorcycle accidents
• accidents involving children
• medical malpractice
• slip and fall
• refinery accidents

We also assist clients with their workers’ compensation claims since so many of these accidents take place during work.

Just a few examples of former successful outcomes include:

$7,000,000 Won For Road Crew Employee

In this case, our client, at the time of his accident, was working on a road construction crew and directing traffic by holding a Slow/Go sign. He was hit by a car and flown to the hospital in critical condition. He continues to suffer because of his injuries and our legal team is proud to have obtained him a significant amount.

$1,100,000 Won For Client Injured In Auto Accident

Our 39-year-old client was behind the wheel of a car and was crossing through an intersection when another driver ran a red light, T-boning the vehicle. Our client suffered serious injuries that will impact him for the rest of his life.

$950,000 Won For A Patient Hurt By A Defective Drug

Medical cases don’t always involve negligent medical professional – in some instances, the negligent party is the drug company. Our legal team fought for a client who was hurt by a defective drug during treatment for an illness and won.

$800,000 Obtained For Slip & Fall Victim

Our client was on another person’s property when they fell on an unmarked hazard, injuring their ankle which has since required numerous surgeries to repair.

$540,800 Obtained In Legal Battle Against Convenience Store

In this case, our client was visiting a convenience store when he slipped on a wet floor. The fall aggravated a previous back injury, causing him extreme pain and requiring extensive medical care.

$530,000 Awarded To Client With Knee Injury

Our office helped a client obtain a $530,000 for a client who broke their kneecap after a cement path collapsed due to water damage.

$500,000 Awarded To Victim Of Drunk Driving Accident

Our client sustained serious damage to her neck and back when she was struck by a drunk driver. Not only did she require ongoing medical care but she also lost wages due to her inability to continue working as a nurse.

Pedestrian Awarded $450,000

Our former client was struck by a dump truck. He sustained knee, shoulder, hip, neck and back injuries resulting in multiple surgeries and his range of motion was severely limited.

$445,000 Settlement Negotiated For A Laborer

Our legal team successfully negotiated a settlement for a laborer who had an unwitnessed fall off a ladder sustaining a brain injury.

$295,000 Won For Client Injured In Motorcycle Accident

A car struck our client’s motorcycle, propelling him onto the pavement. The impact caused a fractured clavicle, among other injuries.

$275,000 Award Obtained In Auto Accident Case

In this instance, our client was rear-ended by another driver. The collision caused back and neck injuries.

Workers Comp Case Settles For $250,000

Our legal team helped a worker who injured his lower back and aggravated a previous neck injury, required two separate surgeries.

$210,000 Award Recovered After Dog Bite

Our client was a 28-year-old woman who was bitten by a dog while visiting a friend. She suffered dog bite wounds on her face, head and arm that left her scarred and required expensive medical care.

$180,000 Won For Woman In Slip And Fall Case

Our client woman fell leaving her place of employment. Our investigation revealed that water had accumulated due to improper drainage of a sprinkler. She injured her neck in the fall.

Auto Accident Case Ends With $150,000 Award

The client, in this case, was involved in a collision with a distracted driver and sustained a knee injury.

Social Security Benefits Approved For Client

The Social Security Administration initially denied our 58-year-old client’s application for Social Security Disability Benefits, even though she suffered from arthritis and a spinal cord injury. We pursued her appeal and persuaded the Social Security Administration to approve her claim for Social Security Disability Benefits.

Dog Bite Award Of $90,000

Our client sustained a dog bite to the face which required surgical repair and resulted in scarring.

If you have any questions, our lawyers will be happy to answer them. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you and your loved ones.