What is a judgment?
A judgment is the official decision of a court that finally resolves a lawsuit between the parties. In an injury case, a money judgment says the defendant owes the plaintiff a set amount. It turns a verdict or a default into an enforceable debt, but the court does not collect the money for you.
Last checked November 9, 2026 · Official sources (4)
What happens after a judgment in an injury case? An example
EXAMPLE ONLY. A jury awards Kim $120,000 after a crash. The court enters a judgment for that amount. The at-fault driver's policy limit is $50,000, so the insurer pays $50,000. That leaves $70,000 of the judgment unpaid.
Kim now holds a judgment for the rest against the driver personally. If the driver owns a house, Kim can record the judgment so it becomes a lien on the property. If he has a steady job, wage garnishment may be possible. If he has little money, the $70,000 may stay on paper for years.
Why does a judgment matter to someone who was hurt?
It is the end point of a lawsuit and the legal tool for getting paid. Damages are money a defendant pays a plaintiff who has won, and the judgment is what makes that payment enforceable. Before you go to trial, it helps to know how much insurance and how many assets the other side has. A large judgment against someone with nothing may be worth less than a smaller settlement.
Most injury cases never reach this point. They settle, and a settlement is paid by agreement instead of by court order.
How is a judgment collected?
California's court self-help guide is a clear example. It says the court does not collect the money for you. The usual steps are:
- Ask the debtor, or the debtor's insurer, to pay voluntarily.
- If you do not know what the debtor owns, ask the court for a debtor's examination.
- Get a writ of execution to levy a bank account or garnish wages.
- Record an abstract of judgment to put a lien on real estate.
Judgment vs. verdict vs. settlement
Jurors hand down the verdict, and the court then turns it into a judgment, its official order. A settlement is a deal the two sides make themselves, with no verdict and usually no judgment. Settlements are paid by agreement. Judgments can be enforced by the court's collection tools.
Questions
Does a judgment mean I get paid right away?
No. The court does not collect the money for you. The insurer usually pays its share once the judgment is final, and you collect the rest yourself.
What if the judgment is more than the insurance policy?
The amount over the limits is usually the defendant's personal debt. Collecting it depends on their income and property.
Can a judgment be appealed?
Yes. The losing side can usually appeal, which can delay payment for months or longer.
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See if I’m owed moneySources (4)
- U.S. Courts, Glossary of Legal Terms, checked 2026-11-09. “Judgment The official decision of a court finally resolving the dispute between the parties to the lawsuit.”
- California Courts Self-Help Guide, checked 2026-11-09. “This says the other person (the debtor ) owes you money. But the court doesn't collect the money for you.”
- California Courts Self-Help Guide, checked 2026-11-09. “If the person owns real estate , you can put a lien on their property.”
- U.S. Courts, Glossary of Legal Terms, checked 2026-11-09. “Money that a defendant pays a plaintiff in a civil case if the plaintiff has won. Damages may be compensatory (for loss or injury) or punitive (to punish and deter future misconduct).”