The procedures and paperwork involved with a lawsuit can be overwhelming for plaintiffs, and so it is easy for them to forget certain strategies that seem simple but can actually have a huge impact on their case. A few smart strategies to keep in mind include:
Keep records of all communication. This is true for both public and private communication. The plaintiff may need to present evidence of communication with the defendant or even general communication around the time of the lawsuit to help back up facts and develop a timeframe. The plaintiff needs to be prepared in case the defense presents their own documented communication by having their own records to make sure the conversations are being accurately presented. Plaintiffs should keep copies of letters, emails, and other conversations because they can never be sure what could be used to help or hurt them.
Make sure the all the facts can be clearly represented. Along with keeping records of communication, plaintiffs should carefully document dates and other important details, no matter how confident they are in their case. Lawsuits can drag on for years, so plaintiffs can’t be sure what direction the case will go in and what they will need to present as proof. A year into the lawsuit, the plaintiff could find that they need a certain document that they didn’t think was important when the lawsuit started and if they can’t locate it, their case may suffer. Before the lawsuit even starts, all pertinent information should be gathered and kept in a safe place.
Stay out of the red. Another huge and often overlooked strategy is making sure that all bills are kept up with and that the plaintiff isn’t struggling to keep afloat financially. It is overlooked because many plaintiffs don’t understand not only how the stress of struggling to pay bills can distract them from focusing on the lawsuit, but that they want to be able to have the financial freedom to fight the lawsuit to a satisfying and fair conclusion. The plaintiff shouldn’t be pressured into accepting a lower offer just because they have medical bills or other necessary expenses hanging over them.
One financial option available is a lawsuit loan. When plaintiffs use lawsuit loans, they are taking an advance on their future settlement to help make payments as the case progresses. A common situation for plaintiffs is that they are out of work because of a personal injury or workplace related incident and are relying on the lawsuit to help pay the damages. Even if the plaintiff isn’t out of work, medical bills and other expenses can put a stress on them during the lawsuit. But until the case concludes, life’s necessities must still be taken care of—grocery bills, car and mortgage payments, utilities—on top of expenses related to the accident. Lawsuit loans can provide plaintiffs with financial relief and help them focus on their lawsuit.
About the Author: Steven Medvin is the Executive Director of SMP Advance Funding, LLC, which provides lawsuit funding to individuals who need a lawsuit loan for pending lawsuits. For more information please visit www.smpadvance.com.
