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name: legal-letter language: en description: Drafts professional legal letters for personal injury litigation including settlement demands, cease-and-desist, notice letters, and response correspondence. Tailors tone by recipient type. Use when drafting demand letters, pre-suit correspondence, insurance claim letters, cease-and-desist notices, or litigation response letters.

Legal Letter Drafting

Drafts litigation correspondence that advances settlement positioning, preserves rights, and builds a clean evidentiary record for personal injury cases.

Quick Start

Gather before drafting:

• Case identifiers — case name, docket number, matter number, claim number
• Recipient — name, title, firm/organization, delivery method
• Strategy — purpose, desired outcome, deadlines
• Supporting docs — prior correspondence, medical records, incident reports
• Damages (demand letters) — medical bills, lost wages, future costs

Header Template

[DATE]
Via [Delivery Method]: [address]

[RECIPIENT NAME]
[TITLE]
[FIRM/ORGANIZATION]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]

Re: [Case Name]
    [Court Name] Case No. [Number] (if filed)
    Our Client: [Client Name]
    Matter No.: [Internal number]
    Claim No.: [If applicable]
    [Brief subject description]

Dear [RECIPIENT NAME],

Body Structure

Draft in this order:

1. Opening — Identify client, state purpose, reference prior correspondence or deadlines
2. Factual foundation — Chronological key facts with dates, amounts, parties; cite supporting docs
3. Legal basis — Cite statutes, regulations, case law; connect to client's position
4. Damages (if applicable) — Itemized monetary damages with calculations, non-economic damages, ongoing costs
5. Demand & deadline — Specific demand or action requested, response deadline with consequences, payment instructions
6. Closing — Invite communication, list enclosures, provide contact info

When litigation is anticipated, include preservation language:

Please preserve all documents, electronically stored information, and physical evidence related to this matter as litigation may be reasonably anticipated.

Tone by Recipient

Recipient	Tone	Strategy
Opposing counsel	Professional, firm, respectful	Position client favorably; negotiate or preserve rights
Insurance company	Business-like, documentation-focused	Present clear liability and damages for coverage decision

Letter-Type Variations

Type	Key Requirements
Settlement demand	Lead with strongest liability facts; itemize damages; set firm deadline; leave negotiation room
Cease and desist	Specify prohibited conduct; cite legal basis; state consequences; document prior violations
Statutory notice	Meet statutory notice requirements exactly; use required delivery method; preserve proof of delivery
Response letter	Address opposing points selectively; correct facts diplomatically; preserve position for future proceedings

Signature Block

Sincerely,

[Signature]
[Typed Name]

cc: [Client name]
Enclosures: [List attachments]

Checks

• Extract all available information from provided files before requesting user input; use placeholders for missing details
• Verify all names, dates, case numbers, and amounts against the file
• Base demands on documented losses; include interest and costs where appropriate
• Set realistic deadlines — allow reasonable response time while creating urgency
• Never disclose privileged or confidential information
• Include all referenced attachments in enclosures list
• Maintain firm but professional tone — no overtly aggressive language
• Flag in output that client must review and approve before sending
• FRE 408 considerations apply to all settlement communications
• For Illinois product liability: 735 ILCS 5/2-621 governs strict liability for defective products [VERIFY current statute]