Are Settlement Negotiations Admissible?
Are Settlement Negotiations Admissible?
GRD Law
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At Gregg Durlofsky Law Offices, we have a winning record of recovery. Our team has recovered results for over 97% of our clients. While past performance does not guarantee future results, you can be confident knowing our law firm will do everything to get you the justice you deserve.

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Are Settlement Negotiations Admissible?

Settlement Negotiations in Pennsylvania

One of the ways that your personal injury attorney helps with your claim is through settlement negotiations. How you approach the negotiation process is very important to receiving the compensation you deserve. As you enter into negotiations, you may wonder what happens if you don’t reach an agreement. Are the statements made by your personal injury law firm on your behalf admissible in court later? Our lawyers explain.

Are settlement negotiations admissible in court in Pennsylvania?

225 Pa. Code § 408 prohibits a party from admitting settlement negotiations in court. Statements made during the negotiations process are not admissible in any proceeding to prove the value of the claim. In addition, statements made during negotiations are not admissible to prove the amount or value of the claim.

Why are settlement negotiations not admissible in court?

The reason that settlement negotiations are not admissible in court is so that the parties can negotiate freely. If the parties had to worry that what they said would come into court, they would be very cautious about what they would say. Alternative dispute resolution is more likely to work when the parties can discuss the issues openly. 

While it’s true that what is said or offered isn’t admissible in court, it’s still important to be strategic about the proceedings. Your personal injury attorney should still be mindful of what information they are sharing. When you work with a personal injury law firm, they can help you prepare a plan for settlement negotiations as part of the overall process of pursuing your case.

Is a settlement an admission of liability?

Another question is whether a settlement is an admission of liability. If statements made in pursuit of a compromise are not admissible to prove legal liability or the value of the case, is a settlement an admission of liability? In Pennsylvania, the technical answer is no. 42 Pa. Code § 6141 says that a settlement or payment for injuries is not an admission of liability unless the parties agree to the contrary.

The reason for the rule is to encourage the parties to resolve the case. For some victims, it’s important to have the highest monetary payment possible. In other cases, an admission of liability on the part of the defendant is an important goal of the victim. The parties should be free to create the full terms of the settlement.

Personal Injury Attorney for Settlement Negotiations

There are many steps involved in helping a victim receive the compensation that they deserve. With most claims resulting in a settlement, knowing how to approach negotiations is key to getting the results that you deserve. Rest assured that making an offer to settle the case can’t be used against you in court.

Our personal injury lawyers can assist you from start to finish throughout your case. We understand the details of how settlement negotiations work, and we have experience in how to make negotiations effective. Contact us today to talk about your case.

GRD Law
CASE RESULTS
$6 MILLION
At Gregg Durlofsky Law Offices, we have a winning record of recovery. Our team has recovered results for over 97% of our clients. While past performance does not guarantee future results, you can be confident knowing our law firm will do everything to get you the justice you deserve.

VIEW MORE RESULTS

why choose durlofsky law offices
We are driven by a passion of the courtroom and a commitment to making that passion and experience work for injury victims. Gregg Durlofsky's years of real-world experience in state and federal courts translates into your advantage over the defense.
We put clients first, not cases. That means we are driven to changing somebody's life for the better.
We are available 24/7 when you need us the most and are bi-lingual for our Spanish speaking clients.
We have a track record of success for over 20 years. Mr. Durlofsky's experience in the PA & NJ courts is invaluable when choosing where to try your case.
Gregg Durlofsky has experience as a defense attorney and brings that knowledge to your advantage when fighting for your case.
why choose durlofsky law offices
We are driven by a passion of the courtroom and a commitment to making that passion and experience work for injury victims. Gregg Durlofsky's years of real-world experience in state and federal courts translates into your advantage over the defense.
We put clients first, not cases. That means we are driven to changing somebody's life for the better.
We are available 24/7 when you need us the most and are bi-lingual for our Spanish speaking clients.
We have a track record of success for over 20 years. Mr. Durlofsky's experience in the PA & NJ courts is invaluable when choosing where to try your case.
Gregg Durlofsky has experience as a defense attorney and brings that knowledge to your advantage when fighting for your case.