A:In our collective experience, quick settlements can occur but almost never in amounts that are realistic or reasonable. If you are willing to deeply discount and compromise your claim, there are healthcare providers and insurance carriers who will be glad to buy you off very cheaply. If you want a settlement that is fair and reasonable, do not expect this to happen quickly. Healthcare providers are reluctant to admit mistakes and almost routinely insist that their insurance companies defend them aggressively. It is usually not until 30 days before trial that serious settlement discussions occur. In the venues in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, most medical malpractice cases can be resolved within 18 months to 2 years, more or less. Therefore, we tell our clients not to anticipate a quick settlement but, rather, to get on with their lives and be very patient in regard to settlement. Impatience can be extremely costly, considering what is at stake in these cases.