Steps to Take If Your Personal Injury Settlement Is Delayed
You’ve been waiting for your personal injury settlement. Weeks turn into months, and every time you check in, someone says, “It’s processing.” It’s frustrating. You’ve got bills piling up, medical costs, maybe missed work, and all you want is the compensation you were promised.
Delays in personal injury settlements aren’t rare, but they’re not always simple either. Some are normal. Others are red flags. If you’re dealing with one, it helps to understand why it’s happening and what you can do next.
If you’re in Fort Lauderdale and your claim feels like it’s stuck in limbo, this guide is for you.
How to Handle a Delayed Personal Injury Settlement
1. First, Figure Out Why It’s Delayed
To avoid becoming too frustrated, make an attempt to identify the reasons behind the delay. It’s usually one of these:
a. The insurance company is sponging off.
Insurance adjusters are not considered to be fast. They will at times put off payment, hoping that claimants will accept less. In other instances, it can be simply an internal backlog of paperwork, approvals, or interdepartmental delays.
b. The settlement documents aren’t finalized.
Your civil litigation attorney in Fort Lauderdale might still be negotiating small details, like medical liens or future treatment costs. These things take time to get right because once you sign, it’s final.
c. There are unresolved medical bills or liens.
Hospitals, doctors, and insurance providers may have claims against your settlement. Before releasing the funds, those liens must be resolved. It’s tedious but necessary to avoid future complications.
d. The check was issued but hasn’t been cleared yet.
Sometimes the money’s technically there, but bank processing or waiting for all signatures can add a few more days.
e. The court approval is pending.
In the case of minors or a structured settlement, your case may require court permission before the release of funds.
In case you do not know what is keeping things afloat, request your attorney to provide a breakdown of the position of things. An excellent personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale will make you know the truth of what is going on even when it is not an exciting answer.
2. Stay in Contact With Your Attorney
This is simplistic, yet it does count. The waiting period is important and involves communication. Your attorney can provide you with updates and explain what to do next and inform you whether there is anything that is not proceeding in your case that you can assist with.
In case you have not been able to get in touch with them lately, then you should not hesitate to contact them. It is absolutely rational to send an email or make a call and mention, Hey, just checking on the progress of the settlement.
More to the point, good law firms will notify you without necessarily hunting them down, though sometimes cases are lost in the shuffle. Being up to date on it is assuring that yours isn’t.
When your attorney’s answers feel unclear or they don’t seem invested in your case, it’s a sign to trust your instincts. It may be the right time to consult another civil litigation lawyer in Fort Lauderdale for a second opinion.
3. Review the Release Forms Carefully
Before the settlement money is released, you’ll have to sign a release of claims. This document basically says you won’t sue the other party again for this same issue once you accept the payment.
Sometimes, delays happen because these forms aren’t signed correctly or need revisions. For example:
- A typo in the release.
- A dispute over how the settlement is worded.
- The insurance company’s lawyers are making small edits and sending it back.
These seem like minor issues, but each one can slow things down by days or even weeks.
Always double-check that you’ve signed all necessary documents and returned them to your attorney quickly. The sooner that’s done, the sooner your check can be processed.
4. Ask If Any Liens Are Still Pending
Liens are one of the biggest hidden reasons for settlement delays. Hospitals, doctors, or health insurers might claim part of your settlement to recover what they paid for your treatment.
If those liens haven’t been resolved, your attorney has to negotiate or pay them before releasing the rest to you.
It’s not always fun, but it’s important. If you ignore liens, they can come back to haunt you even years later. So make sure your personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale is handling this part carefully.
5. Don’t Spend the Money Until It’s in Your Account
Seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people plan major expenses the moment they hear a settlement is coming.
Until the funds actually clear into your bank account, don’t count on them. Delays can happen right up to the final step: a missing signature, a bank issue, or even a mailing error if you’re getting a physical check.
So, wait. Don’t schedule big purchases or pay off all your debts based on a promise. Once that money hits, then make your plans.
6. Watch Out for Insurance Company Tactics
It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to drag things out intentionally. They know that waiting hurts. People get desperate and frustrated and start accepting less just to be done with it.
They might “lose” paperwork, keep asking for more documents, or simply go silent for weeks. It’s a game some play to pressure you.
Your attorney’s job is not to let that happen. A good civil litigation attorney in Fort Lauderdale knows these tactics well and will push back with legal pressure if needed.
If your lawyer isn’t pushing, ask them to. Insurance companies move faster when they know you’re not backing down.
7. Ask for a Timeline
If your settlement is delayed and you feel left in the dark, ask for a specific timeline.
Not a vague “we’re working on it.” Ask:
- Has the check been issued?
- Who’s responsible for releasing it?
- What step are we waiting on?
- How long does that step usually take?
Having those answers not only gives you peace of mind but also helps you hold everyone accountable. If the delay keeps dragging beyond the estimated time, you’ll know it’s time to escalate.
8. Consider Filing a Bad Faith Claim (If Necessary)
If it’s clear that the insurance company is intentionally delaying payment without a valid reason, that’s called acting in bad faith.
In Florida, insurers are legally required to handle claims fairly and promptly. If they don’t, you may have grounds for a separate claim against them for damages caused by the delay itself.
Of course, that’s not something you want to do lightly. It adds time and legal costs. But in some situations, it’s justified.
Your attorney can help you determine whether the insurance company’s delay crosses that line.
9. Be Patient, But Not Passive
There’s a fine line between patience and inaction. Some steps simply take time; banks, courts, and insurance departments don’t move overnight.
But if weeks turn into months with no clear reason, that’s not just “how it goes.” You deserve answers. And if you’re not getting them, it might be time to involve a lawyer who can apply pressure.
You’ve waited long enough to get justice. You shouldn’t have to wait endlessly to receive it.
10. Contact a Local Attorney for Help
It is possible that you are faced with some delayed settlement in South Florida; you do not need to tackle it alone.
If your case feels stuck, the right personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can make all the difference. They’ll take charge of every detail, negotiating with insurers, resolving liens, filing motions, and keeping your case moving in the right direction.
Final Thoughts
Delay occurs; that is no reason you can do nothing.
Be in communion with your lawyer, get all the signatures as soon as possible, tidy everything up, and when matters stretch too long, do not be bashful about getting another opinion.
Each settlement consists of moving parts, paperwork, approvals, and bank processing, but an excellent legal advocate can ensure that those parts continue to move.
You’ve already been through enough with your injury. Getting paid what you’re owed shouldn’t be another battle.
If your case feels stuck or you need an attorney who will get results, reach out to Salvation Legal. Their team of experienced civil litigation attorneys in Fort Lauderdale has handled countless personal injury claims and knows how to get things done.
FAQs
1. How long does a personal injury settlement usually take in Fort Lauderdale?
The timeline for a personal injury settlement depends on the complexity of your case. Some cases are resolved within a few weeks, while others can take several months, especially if medical liens, extensive negotiations, or court approvals are involved.
2. What if my insurance company isn’t responding?
If you’re getting radio silence, your attorney should step in. A formal letter or legal notice usually gets their attention fast. Ignoring you could amount to bad faith on their part.
3. Can my attorney speed up the settlement process?
To an extent, yes. A strong personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can push insurance adjusters, resolve liens faster, and file motions to force movement when necessary. But some steps, like bank processing or court review, can’t be rushed.
4. Should I contact another attorney if the delay keeps dragging on?
You have been waiting days or months and have not received clear updates or explanations; there is nothing wrong with seeking the second opinion of another civil litigation attorney in Fort Lauderdale. At times, an inquisitive eye is able to see what is slowing things down.
Need help with a delayed personal injury settlement?
Visit Salvation Legal and speak with a local Fort Lauderdale attorney who knows how to handle slow insurance companies and stalled cases.
