The COVID-19 public health crisis is not just a novel phenomenon for medical professionals to deal with. It is also having a clear impact on the administration of justice in this country.
Unfortunately, that means that many injured parties are having to take a backseat to other more pressing concerns in the medical and legal system while we sort through these issues.
One recent article in valleycentral.com Discusses the effects on personal injury cases. Among the problem is it notes is that the court system was essentially shut down for several months because of the coronavirus pandemic. The commentary indicates that personal injury cases are likely not to be resolved as quickly or efficiently as under normal situations. While it is true that most cases settle before going to trial, it is common that these cases have some contact with the court in terms of hearings such as discovery or summary judgment. These interruptions in the court system can affect the speed at which those issues are resolved and therefore the resolution of the underlying case.
Course in Texas were authorized by the Supreme Court to extend the statute of limitations based upon the coronavirus pandemic. Depositions are being conducted virtually by zoom.
In the end, personal injury cases should still settle reasonably well, but there may be delays associated with the coronavirus pandemic that ripple through the justice system for months and years to come.
Law Office of Alan Tysinger
110 West Nueva Street
San Antonio, TX 78204
(210) 446-0713 phone/fax
Toll free (866) 957-2667
866-957-COMP
[email protected]
Areas of practice: workers' compensation, personal injury, work injuries, nonsubscriber workplace injuries.
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