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Can My Lawyer Settle My Personal Injury Claim Without Me in New Jersey?

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Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

10b9db026d89119e951a851045ac17eee7784f79

Written/Reviewed By:

Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.

Last Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Read Time: 3 mins

Your personal injury lawyer is duty-bound to be your strongest advocate for your cause and to fight for the largest settlement or damages award that may be available. However, they should never make the final decision to settle your case without your approval.

At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., we represent New Jersey accident victims in personal injury lawsuits in Bergen County and elsewhere in the state. We communicate every detail and all case developments with the clients that we are honored to represent and always involve our clients in settlement decisions.

Accident and injury attorneys conduct settlement negotiations on behalf of their clients

You retain a personal injury attorney after you have been hurt due to someone else’s negligence. That party and their insurance company must address all communications, including settlement offers, to your attorney. However, if you are not represented by a lawyer, an insurer has every right to contact you directly and attempt to settle your case– typically for far less than it may be worth.

The insurance company, for example, might offer to reimburse you only for your property losses and your actual and immediate medical bills. By contrast, your lawyer will likely respond with a demand for damages that include those items plus– lost wages, occupational therapy, rehabilitation services for your injuries, future medical expenses, and pain and suffering, including emotional trauma. At no point should your lawyer accept a settlement offer without your explicit approval.

Your lawyer will explain the strengths, shortcomings, and overall value of your case

A New Jersey personal injury lawyer with years of experience will rely on that to assess the facts regarding your accident. That same experience will also help them determine the highest potential damages award or settlement that you might recover. They will also explain the benefits and drawbacks of settling a case and taking the matter to trial to allow a jury and a judge to determine a damages award.

You can make a fully informed decision of how you want to proceed. If you elect to settle the case, that decision is entirely yours. Your lawyer should never accept a settlement offer or make any other critical decisions in your case without your input.

A final settlement will be reflected in a settlement agreement that you will sign

Your personal injury claims will not be fully settled until you sign a settlement agreement. It should include the details of the specific damages award that you will receive. The settlement agreement is a binding contract between you and another party– and your lawyer should never sign it on your behalf. Just as important, you should not sign that agreement until you are satisfied that you understand it and your lawyer has answered all of your questions.

Your lawyer cannot settle your case without you. Because once the settlement agreement is accepted and signed, you will not be able to make any other claims against the defendant. Your right to recover damages is specific to you and not your lawyer. Their role in the settlement is to argue for the largest award available to you.

Contact us for a free consultation

Call the personal injury attorneys at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. directly for experienced legal representation in your New jersey accident and injury case. We will explain all of your options, and inform you of every step in any settlement negotiations.

Why Trust Us?

150+ Reviews

50+ Years of Service

Full-Service Law Firm

Client Reviews

    
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   LWelsh 
 8 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clever and efficient.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Kenny Perlow 
 29 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Aliza Ali 
 93 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Jana Montero 
 96 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a wonderful experience working with Sam Smith. He was very responsive, thorough, and easy to work with from start to finish. He walked me through everything clearly and made what started as a very stressful situation for me into something completely manageable. I would not hesitate to recommend him and the firm!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Mike Sakmann 
 102 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Liz Hecker 
 108 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't say enough about this firm. They manage to comfort you during the whole legal process while staying professional and doing what is right. I would recommend them to anyone and also hire them again if I need legal help.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Brandy Miller 
 131 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate is the best. She helped me very quickly, and was very attentive with all of my needs. So thankful for her
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Mike Greenspan 
 144 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Jonathan Sampson 
 151 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommend
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Vinnie Kung 
 154 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!

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Can My Lawyer Settle My Personal Injury Claim Without Me in New Jersey?

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