Alternative Dispute Resolution
Most cases that are filed never see the light of day in front of 12 jurors. The overwhelming number of cases, particularly those involving personal injury, which is what I tend to specialize in, are settled without the need to go to trial. This is something that is strongly, strongly preferred by our courts. And they will encourage you, and I say that in quotes, encourage you to have a mediation or sometimes something called an arbitration.
Now arbitrations are generally things you see in higher dollar, more complex cases. A lot of times, for example, you’ll have arbitrations in construction cases. An arbitration is almost like a trial, but it’s not a trial. But you have to put a lot of work into it as if it’s a trial. Arbitrations are very effective, but they can be extremely expensive.
What is more commonplace, particularly on cases in the state court system, are what are known as settlement conferences and mediations. Now in Tulsa, we have what’s called Project Early Settlement, where there are volunteers who are trained and approved through a Supreme Court program to sit down and try to resolve the cases. Project Early Settlement is free. There’s no cost, but the public policy is such that it really pays for itself in the ability to whittle down or whittle out from the court system cases that really should be resolved. Most cases should be resolved.
Interested in Mediation or Arbitration? Contact Us for a Free Consultation:
I’m Michael Ashworth, TulsaPersonalInjuryLawyer.Pro, 918-924-5528. Give us a call. We can help.
