How long before my Jones Act case gets a settlement offer or goes to trial?

A: It depends upon how much the relevant facts are disputed. For example, if both parties agree upon the cause of the injury, the seriousness of the trauma and the impact on the victim, a settlement may be agreed upon quite soon. In other words, if the employer and insurance company know they will be held to pay by a jury, you could receive a reasonable offer within a couple of months in order to avoid a protracted and costly trial. When the facts are in dispute it may take six months or more for a settlement offer to come forward.  

Going to trial can be a much longer process, taking two years or longer from time of accident to final verdict. Legal and evidentiary motions, along with response time for depositions, contribute to the length of time. The discovery process, in particular, can slow things down more significantly in state court than federal court, where cases are geared to proceed within 15 months from the setting of the trial date.