A lawsuit is a sequence, not an event — and knowing the stages turns an intimidating process into a navigable one. Here’s the road, with honest notes on how long each stretch runs.
- 1. Investigation & treatment (months): evidence preserved, fault built, medicine matured — the foundation everything else stands on.
- 2. Demand & negotiation: the documented claim, priced across every category; most cases resolve here.
- 3. Filing suit: within the two-year window — filing changes the insurer’s math and puts a court schedule behind the claim.
- 4. Discovery: documents, interrogatories, and depositions — the longest stage, where cases get won quietly.
- 5. Motions, ADR & trial listing: mediation and arbitration often resolve what negotiation didn’t; trial dates create the final settlement pressure — and trial itself remains rare.
- 6. Resolution & distribution: settlement or verdict, liens resolved, and the distribution statement showing your net.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the whole road take?
Pre-suit resolutions: months. Litigated cases: often a year-plus — the Pennsylvania courts’ schedules and your medical timeline both govern. Rushing is how claims get underpaid.
Do I have to appear in court for every step?
No — most stages are lawyer work; your appearances are typically the deposition and, rarely, trial. We prepare you for both.
What does hiring you cost?
No attorney’s fee unless we recover; percentage and cost handling are in the written fee agreement. Consultations are free.
Questions about your situation? Call (215) 464-4600 or contact us online — free, confidential consultations, contingency-fee representation.