CAUTION: SLOW COURTS
WHY YOUR CASE IS TAKING A LONG TIME
Under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, defendants in a criminal case are granted the right to a speedy trial. However, this right isn’t guaranteed to those in civil cases, and as a result, some cases can drag on for years when taken to trial. For instance, when our very own Curt Runger tried his first personal injury case in 2006, the car accident the case was centered around had occurred seven years earlier — when he was just entering college. Unfortunately, this timeline and the backlog of cases in the civil court system has only widened during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic first began, courts were at a standstill. It was not possible to conduct a jury trial in a courtroom because courts were not allowing “in-person” hearings. As the courts have re-opened, judges are now once again presiding over cases and conducting “in person” hearings, but the older cases that were set for trial before the outset of the pandemic typically take priority over newer cases with less age on them.
These delays, however, should not deter you from seeking justice, but you need to understand that the pandemic has caused an already clogged court system to become even more delayed. In light of the fact that there are older cases that may come up on the court’s docket before newer cases, it could take years for a new case to make it to trial, so if we can, we encourage our clients to seek routes that don’t rely on a backlogged and slow court system. In some situations, we can help you find justice quicker and at a rate that allows you to live a full, healthy life. We often encourage those with cases that could be solved in mediation to consider that as an option. Mediation is a process where a third-party, neutral attorney attempts to facilitate a settlement between a plaintiff and a defendant. A solid mediator will be adept at pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of a party’s case to both sides and will work hard to drive a reasonable settlement. While we always want you to receive the maximum amount of money you are owed for medical bills and pain and suffering
incurred as a result of a car or truck wreck, we also understand that the longer a case drags on, the longer you go without
obtaining closure. Mediations that occur outside of the court system can sometimes be the best way to bring that closure to cases and helps eliminate the inherent risk involved with taking a case to trial where it is often an “all or nothing” type situation. That being said, we understand mediation may not be possible for every case or that some parties will refuse to negotiate in good faith at medication, but we have extensive experience in personal injury actions and can help you make the decision that’s best for you. If you have questions about the status of your case or other options outside the court system, please contact our team today. You can also learn more about our other areas of legal expertise at DouglassRunger.com .
The Next Big Health Secret
WHY SEEING AN ATTORNEY MAY BE GOOD FOR YOU!
Consulting with an attorney when you are facing legal trouble allows you to have an advocate and expert in your corner who is fighting for you and your rights. And according to recent studies, it may be good for your health too! According to NPR, a 2017 study of Veterans Affairs offices in Connecticut and New York found that veterans who saw clinic attorneys reported improved mental health within three months after their initial meetings. Additionally, in Colorado, a five-year survey of 69 patients from 2015 to 2020 found that patients in Medicaid programs who saw attorneys at their clinics had a decrease in the amount of physical health problems they were facing.
But how does this work? To answer that question, we have to examine the toll stress takes on our bodies. Constant stress, like concerns about visitations or deportation, can cause our bodies to fail. This often leads to headaches,
heartburn, a weakened immune system, insomnia, stomach problems, and more. These problems then compound into other issues, causing the body to spiral when intervention isn’t possible. However, when the source of stress is relieved, the side effects are eliminated as well. This can powerfully help people who are facing potentially life-altering legal situations. So, while your attorney may not be able to perform heart surgery or help alleviate your knee pain, their expertise may be just what you need to feel better in the long run.
While further studies are needed to corroborate this evidence, the message is clear: Finding solutions to your legal concerns through an attorney is healthy!
This idea has led to several states permitting Medicaid patients to use some of their health care dollars toward legal clinical programs. For example, in Colorado, some chronically ill patients are struggling with immigration issues or problems as a result of losing their jobs in the COVID-19 pandemic. By consulting with lawyers — in addition to psychiatrists, social workers, and medical doctors — patients are lowering their stress levels, improving their physical well-being, and staying closer to their families.
2 • DouglassRunger.com
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