If you’re in the middle of a personal injury claim, you may hear the term “global offer” come up during settlement negotiations. So what is a global offer in personal injury, and what does it mean for your case?
A global offer is a single lump-sum settlement proposal intended to resolve all outstanding claims related to an injury. Understanding how global offers work, and how they can impact your final recovery, is your first step before agreeing to anything. A Hawaii personal injury attorney can help you break down the offer and determine whether it’s truly fair.
How global offers work in settlement negotiations
Global offers are used in a range of injury cases, especially those with multiple types of compensation. The insurance company or defendant offers a single amount to settle the entire case. This is known as a global settlement. It might cover:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages or lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Legal costs, including attorney’s fees
In many civil cases, especially when a class action or mass tort is involved, a global settlement occurs to streamline the process. Often, equitable distribution of settlement funds must be determined among many injured parties, with financial experts involved to assess damages and private investigators gathering evidence to support claims.
The offer usually doesn’t include a breakdown. That means it’s not always clear how much is meant for each category, and it can be difficult for an injured party to know if it truly covers long-term needs.
At Shaheen & Gordon, our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience handling complex cases, whether they’re individual or class action. Our expertise in evaluating global settlement offers, mass torts, and high-stakes civil cases helps ensure your rights and long-term needs are fully considered.
Why are global offers used?
Global offers are common in personal injury cases for several reasons:
- Simplicity: Reduces time spent negotiating separate amounts.
- Cost control: Helps the insurance company or defendant cap their financial exposure.
- Lack of transparency: Avoids scrutiny over how much is being allocated to each category of loss.
These offers are often used to resolve complex civil cases or mass tort claims involving multiple plaintiffs. In some situations, they are proposed at a settlement conference before trial.
While this can be convenient, global offers often benefit the side making the offer. Without legal advice, an injured party could accept far less than what they deserve.
The biggest risk is accepting a settlement that doesn’t reflect the full value of your personal injury case.
Because a global offer rolls everything into one figure, you might not realize how much of the money is actually going to your medical bills, how much is going to your lawyer, or how little is left for future care or pain and suffering.
Pros and Cons of Global Settlements for Plaintiffs
Global settlements can offer a streamlined way to resolve multiple claims in a personal injury case, but they aren’t always in the best interest of every injured party. Understanding the trade-offs is essential before you agree to one.
Pros of Global Settlements
- Faster resolution: Resolves all claims at once, which can avoid drawn-out litigation and lead to quicker compensation.
- Lower legal costs: Settling globally often reduces court costs and attorney fees across multiple claims.
- Predictable outcome: Provides a clear, agreed-upon result instead of leaving the decision up to a jury or judge.
- Useful in complex cases: Particularly helpful in class action or mass tort claims involving multiple injured parties and shared facts.
Cons of Global Settlements
- Lump sums may not reflect individual damages: Without a breakdown, injured parties may not know what portion is allocated to medical bills, pain and suffering, or other losses.
- Uneven distributions: Some claimants may receive significantly more or less than others based on how the settlement is divided.
- Limited recourse after acceptance: Once the agreement is signed and the settlement resolves your case, you generally can’t pursue further compensation — even if new complications arise.
- Pressure to accept quickly: Insurers may push for a fast agreement, which can lead to undervaluing long-term injuries or future expenses.
- Requires group agreement in mass claims: In class actions or mass torts, disputes among plaintiffs can slow the process or prevent resolution entirely.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand the specifics of a global offer and whether it meets your needs.
Should I accept a global settlement?
It depends. In some injury cases, a global offer can be a fair and efficient way to close a claim, especially if your recovery is complete and damages are documented. But in many situations, the offer may be far too low.
A personal injury attorney can help you evaluate the true impact of the settlement and whether it provides enough to move forward confidently. Every case is different, and the wrong decision can have long-term consequences.
Request a free consultation
If you’ve received a global offer in your personal injury case, don’t rush to accept it. Contact us today at (800) 451-1002 or contact us online to request a free consultation with a personal injury attorney. We’ll walk you through your options and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
