What happens after I win a personal injury verdict at trial?

Winning a trial verdict is not the immediate end of your case. After the jury returns a verdict in your favor, the court enters a formal judgment. The defendant then has a set period (typically 30 days) to file post-trial motions — seeking a new trial or asking the judge to reduce the verdict amount. If those motions are denied and no appeal is filed, the judgment becomes final. The defendant (or their insurer) then has an obligation to pay the judgment. In cases with insurance coverage, the insurer typically pays promptly once all post-trial proceedings are resolved. If the defendant is uninsured or underinsured, collecting on the judgment requires additional legal steps: identifying and levying bank accounts, garnishing wages, or placing liens on real property. Defense appeals are common in large verdicts and can delay payment by 1 to 3 additional years while the case proceeds through appellate courts. Your attorney handles post-verdict proceedings through collection.