When Will I Receive My Personal Injury Settlement?

As a personal injury lawyer, I often get asked the question, “When am I going to receive my personal injury settlement?” It’s a reasonable question and one that I’m happy to answer.

The answer to when you will receive your settlement begins with when the case settles. Settlements in personal injury cases occur when the parties agree to a specific amount to compensate the injured party for their losses. Once a settlement has been reached, disbursing the settlement begins.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the personal injury settlement process and what factors can affect how long it takes to receive your settlement. For more help, contact an Atlanta personal injury lawyer at Sawyer Injury Law today.

How Long Does It Take to Receive a Settlement Check?

When a claim settles, a check will arrive in my office within a few business days, normally between 10 and 14 business days. However, the checks that most insurance companies print are printed remotely in another city and then mailed to my opposing lawyer or me if the case has already gone into a lawsuit.

Settlement Distribution Statement and Distributing Funds

Once the settlement check has been received, documents are then exchanged, and my client, under Georgia law, has to sign what’s called a settlement distribution statement.

That statement has to be given to every one of my clients. The statement shows my fees, expenses, doctors that might or might not have to be paid, and liens that might have to be paid or not paid, depending on what they are and what they are made of.

After the settlement distribution statement is signed and a check has been deposited into my trust account, all of the money is distributed to the client, law firm, lien holder, and Doctor depending on who has to get paid out of that particular settlement.

Reasons Your Settlement Check May Be Delayed

While most settlement checks arrive within 10-14 business days, there are a few reasons why they may be delayed.

These include:

• Liens — If there are any liens on the settlement amount, such as those from Medicare, money may have to be held in the trust account to satisfy the lien. This can cause a delay in the disbursement of settlement funds.
• Errors or discrepancies in the settlement distribution statement — If there are any issues with the settlement distribution statement, such as inaccurate preparation or missing details like expenses, fees, or liens, it can also cause a delay in the disbursement of settlement funds.
• Insurance company response time — While most insurance companies aim to settle claims quickly, some may delay payment for various reasons, such as processing times or investigations into the claim.

If you’re experiencing delays in the personal injury settlement process, consulting with a personal injury lawyer may be beneficial. A lawyer can help you navigate the settlement process and ensure that your rights are protected.

Let Sawyer Injury Law Help You Get the Settlement You Deserve

Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers at Sawyer Injury Law in Atlanta understands how overwhelming and stressful it can be to navigate the personal injury settlement process. That’s why we are here to help you every step of the way.

From negotiating with insurance companies to filing the necessary legal paperwork, we will work tirelessly to help you get the settlement you deserve.

We offer free consultations to discuss your case and can provide guidance and support throughout the entire process. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.