Legal Question in Personal Injury in Virginia

I posted this question last year:"hello! is there a time limit once a case is filed in court to settle it?

I filed a case within 2 yr statue of limitations after accident.

Will the court force me to settle within a specific time??? (I am not yet done healing/ done with treatment!!!!!) Thank you very much!!!!!!"

Would like to add:

I realize now the insurance co lawyer was trying to convince me to hurry and settle by telling me the judge or court needs to move the case along.

I am not done with healing or with medical procedures. I also suffer from trauma emotionally/mentally -- this means that everything is taking a lot longer. I cannot settle or take a settlement offer until I have all the paperwork in and know how much it's all going to cost.

The opposing side keeps trying to get me to settle every three months.

This creates ENORMOUS stress and pressure for me -- when I am already feeling and suffering under enormous stress and pressure (I DO NOT need any more!)

I always say that I am not able or ready yet because I don't have all the figures.

Is there any way besides having constantly to say that I'm not ready to put the case on hold until I am able mentally and emotionally to get the final doctor visits in? (am working through the emotional issues, but it is very hard and is taking longer than I expected).

I'm on verge of giving up the case at times bc of the stress ---- but that would just add more stress bc I don't have insurance and have large 10,000s $ medical bills and a case that is all set just up to the point of agreeing on a settlement.

If I walk away now, I get nothing and that would be very stressful. if I give in and settle now then I don't get enough (still have so many problems) -- if I am able to keep it on hold until I can get all the visits and information in, then that is what I ideally want to do!!

I understand for them it is a matter of paperwork and time ...(business) ... for me it is very very personal, extremely painful (emotionally (trauma) and physical problems that have limited my life severly) .

(this is a personal injury case in VA)


Asked on 1/20/10, 4:41 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

No, no court irrespective of the jurisdiction will force a party to settle

his or her case within a specific time limit, but if nothing at all happens with a case after a certain length of time, it could be subject to the court's dismissal.

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Answered on 2/02/10, 2:22 pm


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