Personal Injury Mediation: About The Process
The Provo, UT attorneys of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton are more than willing to see a case through to trial. The process can be long and difficult, but we remain committed to our clients and helping them in their time of legal need. That said, many cases avoid going to trial thanks to voluntary mediation. This allows both sides of a case to potentially settle out of court. Our team of skilled personal injury lawyers have experience with trials, mediation, and settlements. We’d like to go over some considerations regarding mediation that can prove important in your case. Who Is the Mediator? A mediator is a neutral party who helps the two sides of a lawsuit reach a mutually agreeable resolution to a case, most of the time through a legal settlement. In their role, mediators cannot make decisions or offer opinions. The mediator can simply present facts, and is present to relay information between parties. Many mediators are often retired lawyers or judges, which means that they are familiar with the legal process and what could be at stake in your personal injury case. How Long Will the Mediation Process Take? This can vary from case to case. Sometimes mediation only takes a few hours, while other times it can stretch on for multiple days. Going back and forth between parties can take time, especially if each party is adamant about their position. What to Expect During the Mediation Process Some common expectations during the mediation process include: Expect to Disagree with the Opposing Side – When hearing from the opposing attorney, it’s likely you will hear an opinion of the case that’s completely at odds with the case your lawyer is presenting. This is normal and to be expected at the beginning of mediation. Expect a Process of Compromise – Both sides of the case will likely start out with different offers to resolve the case out of court. As the mediator goes back and forth between the parties, expect there to be concession and compromises made on both sides. Expect Impartiality from the Mediator – Remember that the mediator is not on anyone’s side during this process. As a neutral third party, the mediator favors no one and simply allows each side to be heard and proposals to be considered. The Benefits of Mediation Over Going to Trial There are three primary benefits of resolving a case through mediation as opposed to going to trial: Settles Matters Outside of Court – If you would prefer your case to be resolved in private without the details being made public, mediation can help keep the matters outside of the public record. This can be helpful if you would prefer certain details or personal information to not be known. Faster Resolution of a Legal Case – A full jury trial can take several months or even years to finish. The mediation process is far shorter by comparison, allowing you to have matters resolved in a much quicker fashion. Less Expensive Than a Full Trial – Since the case if resolved much quicker, that means lower legal fees for both parties. This is important to consider if a lengthy trial is expected for your case. Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys For more information about mediation in a civil lawsuit, be sure to contact our team of personal injury lawyers. The legal team at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is here to help you. You can reach our office in Provo at (801) 753-1616.
Dog Bite Statistics
Dogs are often considered our best friend, and their companionship can certainly brighten a person’s day and alleviate loneliness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 36 percent of American households own a dog. In total, there are an estimated 90 million dogs in the US. With that many dogs, there is a risk of dog attacks. Even dogs that seem friendly may pose a hazard. The Salt Lake City, UT animal attack injury and dog bite attorneys of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton are here to help you following any kind of harmful incident. We’d like to go over some statistics on these kinds of incidents so you can out the harm caused by dogs into perspective. These facts and figures paint an interesting picture. How Common Are Dog Bites? The CDC estimates that there are 4.7 million dog bites in the United States annually. Extrapolated to the entire population of the country, an American has a 1 in 69 chance of being bitten by a dog. Obviously these numbers can vary from individual to individual, especially if they are in regular contact with canines. The Severity of Dog Bites The majority of dog bites do not require medical attention, thankfully. The National Canine Research Council estimates that 81 percent of all dog bites are not serious. Each year, the CDC estimates about 800,000 dog bites require some form of medical attention. Infection and Rabies from Dog Bites The dog bite itself may not be the reason for the medical attention. The CDC notes that 18 percent of dog bites may become infected. Since there are more than 60 kinds of bacteria found in a dog’s mouth, this should come as little surprise. As for rabies, roughly 40,000 people receive a preventative rabies treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following an animal attack. That said, 90 percent of all rabies cases are linked to wild animals rather than domesticated pets. Cosmetic Reconstructive Surgery and Dog Bites According to figures from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), roughly 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery to address the damage that was caused by a dog attack. These procedures could include ear repair, scar tissue repair, and more advanced procedures depending on the severity of the attack. Chances of Dying in a Dog Attack Thankfully the risk of dying from a dog attack are very low. DogsBite.org recorded 39 dog bite fatalities in 2017. Of these victims, 15 were children 8-years old and younger. For comparative purposes, you have a higher risk of death from heart disease, cancer, air travel, and cataclysmic storms than you do from a dog attack. The Cost of Dog Bites Nationwide According to the Insurance Information Institute, there was $530 million in payments made for dog bite claims in 2014. This goes to show that while these kinds of attacks are rare, the impact on victims who require medical attention can be substantial. This helps underline why it’s so important to speak with attorneys after a dog attack has occurred. We can discuss insurance issues with you and how the owner of the dog can be held accountable in cases of negligence. Contact Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton For more information about your legal rights and options, be sure to contact our dog bite and animal attack lawyers. Our attorneys are here to help you.You can reach the Provo office of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton at (801) 753-1616.