What is Mediation?

In a video posted on March 22, 2019 to our Facebook page, our very own Attorney Chase Swanson talks a little about March Madness and everybody at our firm filling out their brackets, but he also talks about something else that has our firm very busy – mediations.

In the last few weeks, our firm had three different mediations, which is something most people are never involved with, so they don’t usually know much, if anything about them.

Since most of our clients are unfamiliar with mediations, Attorney Swanson wanted to take this opportunity to explain them – what they are, why we use them, and how they work.

What is Mediation?

Attorney Swanson describes mediation as an opportunity for two sides to get together and have a mediator, someone who is not involved in the case, come and help both sides come up with a resolution. Our firm use mediators regularly, especially during litigation.

Professional mediators are experienced lawyers who can get both sides together and offer insight on a case with the goal of reaching a resolution. Mediations are traditionally conducted at a mediation firm; it will be another office building with various mediators who work for the firm.

What we’ll do is schedule a time to meet with a mediator. We’ll inform the mediator of the facts of the case, and then we’ll spend the rest of the day helping both sides work toward a resolution, explains Attorney Swanson.

Mediation can take place once we file a lawsuit, but sometimes both sides want to delve into the facts and try and save money. “Are mediations 100% successful?” Cases that go to mediation don’t always get resolved, but many times they do, and they are a very useful tool that helps facilitate negotiations and a positive outcome in many personal injury cases.

If you have any thoughts or questions about mediation, we invite you to contact our firm. We’d be glad to answer them for you.