2 Ways Legal Dramas And Real Life Differ
There are lots of people who love legal dramas and when they watch them they believe that they understand how the legal system works. Although there is some accuracy in how Hollywood portrays the legal field on television, it is not necessarily true all the time. This is why it is important that you educate yourself on what going through a lawsuit really looks like, so that you can be prepared for reality. Here are some things you should know.
1. Most Cases Are Not Cut and Dry
When watching a movie it may seem that there are certain aspects about the case that are so clear and cut and dry. One side may be blatantly wrong, and the attorney just has to prove it. But that is not how it is in real life. Very rarely is it so clear, and very rarely is just one person in the wrong and one was truly a victim. Even if it is the case that someone was wronged, if nothing illegal was done then you have to wait it out and see what the judge says. This is why lawsuits can be frustrating. You may believe that you were entitled something specific, but when the judgment was made it wasn't in your favor or how you envisioned it. This is why it is important to be realistic about the facts of the case and what you can prove in court.
2. You Probably Won't Be Awarded A Large Amount Of Money
In the movies there is always a very large sum of money at stake. If the defendant wins they get thousands and thousands of dollars, if not millions. However, that is not the norm and shouldn't be expected. The amount that you get awarded will directly correlate with the injuries that you have. You will have to prove every penny that you include in the case, which is why you need to make sure that you are only asking for what you are owed and not asking for an outrageous amount of money.
Additionally, punitive damages are awarded in the movies often, but punitive damages are not normal. These are damages that are awarded to punish the other party. They go above and beyond the injuries. In order to get these awarded the guilty party had to be blatantly dishonest and corrupt. This is hard to prove, and so you shouldn't expect punitive damages. Contact legal help, such as at Madden Law Firm The, for more information.