What kinds of personal injury disputes are commonly mediated in North Carolina?

A wide range of personal injury matters are resolved through mediation in North Carolina, including motor vehicle accident claims, slip-and-fall and premises liability cases, catastrophic injury claims, and medical malpractice and professional liability matters. In most personal injury lawsuits, the parties are required to attend a mediated settlement conference before trial. Mediation is well suited to these disputes because it allows the injured party and the defendant — usually represented by an insurance carrier — to negotiate a resolution with the help of a neutral, weighing the strengths and weaknesses of the case privately rather than gambling on a jury. A large majority of personal injury cases settle at or after mediation, making it often the most important stage in the life of the claim.