What Is the Client’s Role in a Las Vegas Personal Injury Litigation Case?

If a lawsuit needs to be filed in a personal injury case, your injury attorney will be doing much of the work. Your job is get the medical care you need and recover from your injuries.  However, there are three main times in a lawsuit where the client’s involvement is critical.


Prior to any lawsuit being filed, you will have initially met with your injury attorney and had many interactions prior to any lawsuit being filed. These three times of client involvement are what happens after a lawsuit has been filed.

Interrogatories. Soon after a lawsuit is filed, you "the client", will need to answer and sign written questions that the at-fault party’s attorney has submitted in your case. These are called interrogatories. Your answers to the at-fault party’s written questions will be based upon your medical history, medical records and the facts of the case. Your injury attorney will go over the questions with you, so you fully understand what is being asked of you. You will make sure that your answers are true, complete and accurate. Your answers must be verified, i.e., signed in front of notary, as true and accurate. Your attorney will make sure that they have a notary on hand. It is important to note that your answers can be used in court and during your deposition, since they have been verified as true and accurate by you.

Deposition. The next time in a litigation case where the client will need to be involved, is during a deposition. A deposition is a statement made under oath. Your injury attorney will meet with you prior to your deposition, to go over the deposition process with you and tell you what you can expect. The deposition will also be set at a date and time that is convenient for your schedule. Your injury attorney will also be present with you when the deposition takes place.  

Defense Medical Examination. If you are suffering from ongoing pain as a result of the injuries you sustained in the accident, then the at-fault party will likely request that you undergo a medical examination by a physician of their own choosing. This is called a defense medical examination. The defense’s doctor will be provided with all of your relevant medical records and after conducting a physical examination of you, will prepare a report as to their findings. 

Of course, at the conclusion of these three events, it is most likely that both sides will come together to resolve the case, through what is called a mediation or a settlement conference. You, as the client, will be present during any in-person settlement negotiation meetings.

Next time, we will discuss what are mediations and settlement conferences in Las Vegas personal injury litigation cases.