{"id":369020,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:07","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/legal-help-and-resources\/worksheet-plaintiff-s-settlement.html"},"modified":"2025-10-27T15:03:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T20:03:00","slug":"worksheet-plaintiff-s-settlement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-help-and-resources\/worksheet-plaintiff-s-settlement.html","title":{"rendered":"How To Evaluate a Settlement Agreement as a Plaintiff"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How to Evaluate a Settlement Agreement as a Plaintiff<\/h1>\n\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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This article is designed to help you understand how money is determined in a settlement. The calculations are intended to help you figure out how much money is involved, and to distinguish the value of your legal claim from other kinds of damages<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Most civil litigation<\/span> is resolved by an agreement to settle the dispute<\/a>. In most civil litigation<\/span>, the remedy is a payment of money representing the value of the claim. For example, a personal injury<\/span> car accident<\/span> lawsuit that only causes soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, might have a settlement range of $10,000 to $25,000.<\/p>\n

As a lawsuit proceeds, both sides learn the strengths and weaknesses of each other’s case. This will develop an idea about how much the case is really worth.<\/p>\n

Predicting High Settlements For Plaintiffs<\/h2>\n

The concepts and initial calculations in this worksheet will result in a money value on the high side. Don’t form any firm expectations about how much you might recover in a settlement from this article.<\/p>\n

Your lawyer will have a more accurate idea based on other information and opinions. They will provide advice about your case for you to consider as you and your lawyer develop a settlement demand.<\/p>\n

Questions To Consider When Determining a Settlement<\/h2>\n

Keep in mind that in settling the case, you are relieved of the time, expense, uncertainty, and stress of trial. That is worth something and can often be worth more than financial gain. You have the option to find a resolution before trial<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There are trade-offs, and it can be challenging to determine what\u2019s fair given complex circumstances. While settling can avoid the risk of losing your claim in trial and give you some extra control over a guaranteed amount, you want to ensure the value of the settlement is still fair for the damages you\u2019ve faced.<\/p>\n

You may want to ask yourself:<\/p>\n

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    Why did you sue the defendant?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    What result did you want from this lawsuit?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Calculate the Value of Your Losses<\/h2>\n

    The questions below guide you through placing a value on general items. You’ll need to ask yourself what kinds of monetary losses the defendant’s conduct caused you:<\/p>\n