How Long Do Legal Cases Actually Take?
Typical California Case Timelines
Personal Injury
6-18 months
Simple car accidents settle faster. Complex injuries with surgery take longer.
Employment Claims
8-24 months
DFEH/CRD process adds time. Class actions take years.
Contract Disputes
6-18 months
Business disputes vary widely based on complexity and discovery.
Medical Malpractice
18-36 months
Expert requirements and complex medical issues extend timeline.
What Slows Cases Down?
- Discovery: Gathering documents, depositions, and interrogatories can take 6-12 months
- Expert witnesses: Medical experts, accident reconstructionists add months
- Court backlogs: Some California courts have 12-18 month delays for trials
- Multiple defendants: More parties = more coordination and delays
- Insurance companies: Slow-playing claims hoping you'll give up
- Appeals: Can add 1-2 years after trial verdict
What Speeds Cases Up?
- Clear liability: When fault is obvious, defendants settle faster
- Strong documentation: Photos, records, witnesses ready to go
- Reasonable demands: Realistic settlement expectations
- Smaller amounts: Cases under $25k often resolve quickly
- Motivated insurance: Some insurers prefer quick settlements
- Mediation: Can resolve cases in 1-2 sessions
The Typical Case Timeline
- Demand letter: 2-4 weeks to draft and send
- Response period: 2-4 weeks for other side to respond
- Negotiations: 1-3 months of back-and-forth
- Filing lawsuit: If negotiations fail, adds 6-18 months
- Discovery: 3-9 months of document exchange and depositions
- Mediation: Often required before trial (1-2 months to schedule)
- Trial: If reached, may wait 6-12 months for court date
Is a Faster Resolution Worth Less Money?
Not necessarily. Studies show that cases that settle quickly often achieve similar outcomes to those that go through lengthy litigation. The key factors are:
- Strength of your evidence and documentation
- Clarity of liability and damages
- Quality of your initial demand letter
- Insurance policy limits available
A well-prepared demand letter can often achieve results in weeks that would otherwise take years in court.