Tracking Settlement Checks in Las Vegas

It can feel frustrating to find out that you will not get paid instantly when a legal settlement is reached with the at-fault party’s lawyer. However, there can be several reasons why individuals generally do not receive their checks right away. 

The Defendant Lacks Funds 

If the at-fault party is responsible for paying your damages, they might simply not have the money to do so. In this case, your attorney might suggest an agreement with a payment plan, for example. 

Your Check Is Lost in the System

Receiving a settlement check entails several steps and a great deal of paperwork. Documents and checks can get lost in the system at any stage of the process. Bureaucracy can cause legitimate and unreasonable delays.

The Process Takes Time

The process of receiving a settlement check simply takes some time, in some cases, up to a month. However, if you have not received a check after a month or more, you should investigate the reasons for the holdup.

Your check will have to pass some hurdles before you can hold it in your hands, including the internal procedures and policies of an insurance company. Other reasons for a delay can include:

• You have not signed or returned the release form
• The release form was incorrectly signed
• Insurance employees dealing with your claim are off work due to illness or vacation
• The claim involves an estate or a minor

If you have an attorney represent you, there could be additional reasons why your check might be delayed:

• Your attorney has yet to receive the check from the insurance company 
• The attorney was at a trial or on vacation while your check arrived 
• There are liens against your settlement 
• Your attorney is negotiating your medical liens

If there is a legitimate reason for the delay in receiving your check, such as your attorney negotiating liens, being patient can pay off. Your lawyer is negotiating for the best possible outcome so you can retain as much money from your settlement as possible. However, if your check is stuck due to an insurance company drawing out the process, you should take action.

What to Do if an Attorney Represented You

If you hired an attorney for your claim and the settlement check seems delayed, get in touch with your lawyer. They can track your settlement check in Las Vegas and find out why it could be delayed. Your attorney typically receives your settlement check from the insurance company and deducts amounts for:

• Attorney’s fees and expenses
• Medical and other liens

Your attorney is legally required to keep hold of the funds until all liens are paid. Their hands may be tied while they wait for lienholders to issue billing statements. 

What to Do if You Handled a Case on Your Own

When you handle your claim without legal representation and are not receiving your check within a reasonable timeframe, get ready for some detective work. In the first instance, you can call the claims adjuster, who should have an answer for you. If they tell you that the check is on its way, ask them how long they expect the process to take. 

Make a note of the date and time of your call and the expected timeframe for receiving your check. If the time has passed and you have not received your payout, call a few more times, always noting the date and time of your calls.

If you have not received your check after a month or six weeks, try to go higher up the chain and speak to the manager or supervisor of the insurance claims adjuster. Make sure to note down a summary of all communication with the insurance company. If you feel that you are given excuse after excuse, consider contacting a personal injury lawyer and filing a complaint with the Nevada Division of Insurance.

A personal injury attorney can help you track a settlement check in Las Vegas. If you are working with a lawyer, they will receive the check and should be following up on any delays for you. Your lawyer can contact the at-fault party’s insurance company to find out why a check is delayed. 

If you did not work with an attorney, you could track your settlement check by calling the insurance company. If you do not have any luck with receiving your check in a timely manner, consider seeking legal advice. 

Generally, having legal representation when suffering harm due to another’s negligence can be vital. An attorney can help you get a resolution of your case and ensure you receive a settlement check in a timely manner. 

If you are involved in endless calls with an insurance company and are still waiting for your check, the best way to hurry the process along can be having a lawyer fight for you. Unfortunately, simply missing a signature or initial somewhere in the stack of legal documents can delay your check indefinitely. 

An attorney can review all settlement documents to prevent delays. Your lawyer can also facilitate the payment of liens and investigate any delays. If an insurance company or other party unreasonably delays your check, an attorney can get in touch with the responsible party and push them into action.  

Preparing Important Documents Before a Case is Settled

In some cases, an attorney can also take proactive steps before your case concludes. Preliminary actions by an attorney can include:

• Drafting a release form before your case is concluded
• Preparing drafts of necessary documents for the other party’s attorney before the end of the settlement process
• Use expedited mail for important documents

Making sure that the relevant documents are ready for signing before a case is concluded means that the paperwork can be dealt with quickly once a resolution is reached. Using tracking and expedited mail for all important documents speeds up receiving the necessary paperwork. Moreover, the at-fault party’s attorney cannot blame holdups on waiting for documents in the mail. 

While the settlement process can, unfortunately, take quite some time, there are ways in which a motivated attorney can help you receive your money quicker.  

Having an experienced attorney from Morgan & Morgan in your corner can help with so much more than negotiating a fair settlement for your losses. Our attorneys work tirelessly to help victims recover what they deserve in a timely manner. We do not stop working for you when your case is resolved. Morgan & Morgan can track settlement checks in Las Vegas and is here for you until you hold the check in your hands.

If you have been injured and now face long delays of the funds you need to pay your bills and go on with your life, we could help. We believe that you are entitled to a timely payout and can fight for your rights if an insurance company or defendant is giving you the runaround.

Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case.