Definition
Demand letter
Also: settlement demand letter
Direct answer
A written settlement demand sent to an insurance carrier that states liability, describes the injuries and treatment, itemizes damages and requests a specific resolution.
NORBU Demand Editorial · Last reviewed 2026-08-31
In detail
What demand letter means in practice
In personal injury practice the demand letter is the narrative document at the front of a larger submission. It is read alongside the attached record set, and every assertion it makes is checked against those attachments during carrier review.
Why it matters
The letter is only as strong as the file behind it. An assertion the exhibits do not support becomes the carrier's argument rather than the firm's.
Example
A letter states 18 weeks of continuous therapy; the attached billing shows a nine-week interruption. That mismatch is the first thing a reviewer will note.
NORBU Demand provides analytical support for counsel. It does not determine legal value, predict settlement outcomes, or provide legal advice. Every observation is presented for attorney review.
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