Should I have my attorney settle or have him go to Jury Trial?

Question

Ok, my former college president refused to allow me to attend one of my relative's open house that they allow another relative of mine to hold at their facility.

He told me no I could not attend that function because I am disabled, had filed previous complaints against the college. He told me that if I attend that function than he would have me remove by the police.

I have already supplied witness statements to my attorney.

His retailation and his threats caused me to have severe anxiety, severe depression, severe panic attacks and to have hypertension which I have to take medication for. Before he threatened me I did not have hypertension. He also caused me to have a nervous breakdown and to be hosptialized on the mental floor.

Should I have my attorney settle or should I have him take it to Jury Trial?

Answer 1

settle.  if he or the college offers you money, take it.  

Answer 2

Impossible to evaluate your case based on the information you supplied.  Do you even have a settlement offer from the other side?  Sit down with your attorney, discuss the strength of your evidence and the opposing evidence, and the cost of prosecuting your case to judgment.

Answer 3

Assuming you are in the USA the Americans with Disabilities Act provides you ample protection. Question? How experienced is your attorney? Did you get him by referral and does he/she know federal law. How much was the offer? Anything that caused the problems you describe should be worth 6 figures as you were hospitalized for a nervous breakdown which seems to be a direct result of the actions of the college president. There easily could be long term repercussions as you are not on medication for hypertension. You should have been able to bring a lawsuit against him, the university, as they would be severally, and individually liable. What advice is your attorney giving you? Check with your attorney and see if he filed a lawsuit in state, or federal court. The other major question I would look at was the nature and number of complaints you filed against the college. Was there a finding of fact in your favor on any of the complaints or would the average person (jury of your peers) think you were looking for special treatment or just a whiner? Feel free to contact me as after I broke my neck while in the Air Force I had to fight the USAF, Veterans Administration, and Social Security to get the benefits due to me. Matter of fact I just got awarded an additional 30% disability for depression, secondary to multiple orthopedic injuries 29 years after my initial injury after the Paralyzed Vets of America (PVA) told me it could not be done. Best of luck to you and if you contact me with additional info I can give you better advice. Many times your lawyer will want to settle because he works on a contingency basis and knows any lawsuit that goes to trial is a crapshoot. Dependent upon the settlement offer I have seen many lawsuits settled in the court room waiting for the judge to appear.