Public Guide
Personal Injury Demand Letters: General Process Overview
General information about demand-letter content, supporting records, liens, releases, insurer responses, and limitation periods.
A demand letter is a pre-suit communication that may describe a claim, alleged responsibility, injuries, losses, supporting records, and a proposed resolution. It is not required or appropriate in every matter.
Liability evidence, medical records, bills, wage information, insurance coverage, liens, subrogation interests, future care, and damages law can affect the content and evaluation. Statements in a demand can later be compared with testimony, records, and pleadings.
An insurer may request more information, deny liability, dispute causation or damages, make an offer, or not respond. Negotiation does not necessarily pause a statute of limitations or other deadline.
A settlement commonly includes a release and can affect health-insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, workers' compensation, tax, confidentiality, and reimbursement issues. The written release—not an informal summary—controls its scope.
This page provides general process information and does not draft a demand, value a claim, select an opening amount, or recommend settlement or suit.