Content Warning: This recording contains the sound of a car crash.
| Level |
Topic |
Speakers |
Length |
| Difficult |
Lawsuit Settlements |
Man |
00:30 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
People sometimes find them in situations where they decide to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice or personal injury in an accident. What things would you look for in an attorney or law firm to help you through these difficult circumstances? When you find one, what advice on accident claims do you think is the most helpful?
Agree or Disagree? Let’s Spark Some Conversation!
These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, exploring ideas, and sharing opinions.
-
In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way?
-
In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms.
-
For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate.
-
- Lawsuits are necessary to protect people’s rights.
- Some people use lawsuits to get money unfairly.
- Justice is the same in every country’s legal system.
- It is important to have a lawyer in every lawsuit.
- Lawsuits often take too long to resolve.
- Public trials help make the justice system fairer.
- People should always try to solve problems without going to court first.
- The court system is too expensive for many people to use.
- Judges should be completely independent from politics.
- Lawsuits can improve laws and make society better.
Idioms
“lie through one’s teeth” = lie so you don’t get in trouble
“The man lied through his teeth even though he was guilty of the crime.”
“rip someone off” = cheat someone
“I decided to hire a lawyer because the salesman ripped me off.”
Listening Exercise
Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Post-Listening Exercise
Have you ever considered hiring a law firm to settle some form of dispute? If so, describe the situation and talk about why legal action through a lawyer was an option you considered. Are there other ways to resolve problems without going to court? If a family member owed you money but refused to pay you back, would you take the person to court? Why or why not?