Can You Reopen a Personal Injury Case?
San Jose, United States - February 26, 2026 / Hann Law Firm /
Accepting a settlement after an accident can feel like a relief, until doubts start to surface about whether the outcome was truly fair. This leaves injured individuals in San Jose, CA, wondering, "Can you reopen a personal injury case?" and searching for answers. Understanding the options that may remain, including the role of witnesses and other factors that shape case outcomes, is something Hann Law Firm can help clients work through.
Can You Reopen a Personal Injury Case?
Many people assume that signing a settlement agreement permanently closes the door on further legal action. In California, this is generally the case, but narrow exceptions do exist. A signed Release of Liability is a legally binding agreement stating that the injured party will not pursue additional compensation related to the same incident.
Courts tend to uphold these agreements, as they promote finality in legal disputes. Still, certain situations may warrant a closer legal review, and knowing what those situations look like can make a meaningful difference.
When San Jose Residents May Have Legal Grounds To Revisit a Claim
There are a handful of circumstances in which a reexamination of a personal injury claim is possible after a case settlement. These situations are limited, and none of them will definitely lead to a reopened lawsuit, but they are worth understanding.
Hann Law Firm identifies a few scenarios that may apply to plaintiffs in San Jose:
Fraud or misrepresentation: If one party deliberately withheld information or misled the other during negotiations, someone may challenge the agreement.
Breach of contract: When the opposing party fails to fulfill their obligations under the settlement terms, further legal action could follow.
Clerical errors: Material mistakes in the paperwork, such as incorrect figures or wrong party names, may give reason to revisit the agreement.
Unsigned release: If the parties reach a verbal agreement but neglect to sign the release, there may still be room to negotiate.
Each situation carries its own legal complexities, and not every case will qualify under these exceptions.
The Difficulties of Challenging a Settlement in San Jose
Even when legal grounds appear to exist, the path forward is rarely straightforward in San Jose, or anywhere else in California. One significant hurdle involves the statute of limitations, which may limit the window for challenging a prior agreement.
Additionally, California law may require the return of settlement funds before a case can move forward. That can be particularly difficult if those funds have already gone toward medical expenses or other costs. Legal representation plays a major role in evaluating whether it's possible to navigate these complexities realistically.
Attorneys can assess the specific details of a situation and help determine whether pursuing further action makes practical sense, assuming it's possible at all. Damages recovery following a reopened lawsuit is not certain.
About Hann Law Firm
Hann Law Firm assists individuals in San Jose, CA, who have questions about their personal injury claim and what avenues may still be available to them. Their attorneys review case details, evaluate potential damages recovery, and guide clients through their legal options.
Can you reopen a personal injury case? Find out what the answer means for a specific situation by calling Hann Law Firm at (408) 755-9793.
Contact Information:
Hann Law Firm
84 W. Santa Clara St. Suite 790
San Jose, CA 95113
United States
James Hann
(408) 755-3498
https://hannlawfirm.com/
Original Source: https://hannlawfirm.com/blog/can-you-reopen-a-personal-injury-case/
