When you have a dispute with another individual or a business, filing a civil lawsuit may seem like the only option. However, many parties who have a pending lawsuit will eventually settle the issue before their court date.
Not all of these settlements happen spontaneously. Often, the help of an intermediary is necessary. Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution technique that brings in a neutral third-party professional to help resolve a conflict that would otherwise require court intervention.
If you suffered a significant personal injury because of another person or business, litigation isn’t the only way to seek justice. Mediation could help you achieve a positive result as well. What are some of the benefits of going through mediation instead of litigating your dispute?
Mediation is a confidential process
Did someone breach your contract? Did you suffer an embarrassing injury on the job because of unsafe conditions? There are often details in any litigated personal injury claim or business dispute that will embarrass the parties involved.
These details are crucial to discussing the situation, but you don’t necessarily relish the thought of them becoming part of the public record. In mediation, you have the opportunity to explore a situation in depth while simultaneously protecting your confidentiality. Florida state law makes mediation a private and confidential process.
Mediation keeps the involved parties in control
During litigation, a judge or sometimes a jury will have the ultimate decision about responsibilities and consequences. The solutions reached by courts are often winner-take-all, meaning there is the possibility of greater reward but also greater loss for both sides.
During mediation, the focus is compromise. Neither party will get everything that they want, but both should feel comfortable with the outcome of the negotiations. You have the power to focus on what matters most to you and to compromise in other areas.
Mediation can also be faster than litigation because you don’t have to wait for hearings but only for availability in your schedule. There can also be significant cost savings, as they won’t have to pay for the court’s time but rather the time of a mediator.
Exploring mediation as a way to resolve a dispute or personal injury claim could help you get a positive outcome without the stress of court.