What does compromise settlement in an injury or wrongful death mean?

Answer 1

It is like Let's Make a Deal. Do you go for the million dollar briefcase or take the money already won. A compromise settlement is agreement between the parties to a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit to accept some amount of money other than what the plaintiff wanted and that the defendant was willing to pay in order to avoid the uncertainty of results if the matter goes to trial. For example, in an auto accident case, the plaintiff is certain that the jury will find defendant responsible for the accident and award a million dollars. The defendant is certain that the jury will find that the plaintiff is the one responsible. The reality is that at a trial anything may happen. Total win or total loss. All or nothing. Maybe somewhere in the middle. In order to ensure plaintiff will get something, he settles for less than he thinks he is entitled to. In order to ensure defendant will not have to pay some exhorbitant amount he settles for a bit more than he thinks he is responsible for. Each side compromises his/her claim and settles the case.