i have been sued in a civil court what kind of lawyer should i seek?

by Ally Kris 8 min read

Full Answer

What do you need to sue a lawyer?

1 Negligence. To sue lawyer for negligence, you need to be able to prove the attorney didn't use the proper care in your case and missed a deadline, filed the wrong ... 2 Breach of duty. ... 3 Breach of contract. ...

How do I find a lawyer for a civil lawsuit?

Look around for "insurance defense" or "civil litigation - defense" lawyers. If a lawyer is listed as an insurance defense lawyer, they handle your type of case although usually on contract with an insurance company. Warning: it will probably not be cheap to resolve.

Is it helpful to have a lawyer in a civil matter?

It is extremely helpful to have a lawyer in a civil matter. Even in transactional civil matters, such as drafting a contract, a lawyer can be very helpful. A lawyer can make sure contracts are drafted correctly and avoid problems at a later date.

Do I need a lawyer to sue the government after an accident?

If you want to sue a government entity after an accident, you'll probably need a personal injury lawyer. Please answer a few questions to help us match you with attorneys in your area. By clicking “Submit,” you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided.

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Jeffrey Mark Adams

Look around for "insurance defense" or "civil litigation - defense" lawyers. If a lawyer is listed as an insurance defense lawyer, they handle your type of case although usually on contract with an insurance company. Warning: it will probably not be cheap to resolve. You might want to see what they...

Ryan Alexander

Civil attorney who is licensed in Kentucky. Also, "trying to sue" me is cryptic. You need to confirm if you have actually been sued.

Timothy Bernard Spille

Generally, you want to hire a civil defense attorney who routinely defends personal injury cases. I hope you have now secured automobile liability insurance for your vehicle. You will soon learn that paying an insurance premium is a bargain compared to paying for a...

Lars A. Lundeen

I agree with the other attorneys who have responded to your question. You will need an attorney that is well versed in defending personal injury cases specific to motor vehicle accidents.

Christopher S Ison

You need someone with experience defending personal injury law suits. Generally this would be taken care of by your insurance; however, since you did not have insurance the burden will be on you to find and retain an attorney. You can look on Avvo for attorneys who practice in your area...

What is the most common way to respond to a lawsuit?

File an answer. Filing an answer is probably the most common way of responding to a lawsuit. An answer is your opportunity to respond to the complaint’s factual allegations and legal claims. It also allows you to assert "affirmative defenses," facts or legal arguments you raise to defeat plaintiff’s claim.

What happens next if you file an answer in a civil case?

What happens next will depend on what you filed. If you filed an answer, the case will move forward. To see how a civil case moves through the district court or justice court, click on these flowcharts:#N#Flowchart - Civil Case in District Court#N#Flowchart - Civil Case in Justice Court

Why do you file a motion to dismiss?

File a motion to dismiss or for a more definite statement. There are a number of reasons why you might file a motion to dismiss, including: Lack of jurisdiction. In other words, the court does not have jurisdiction over you. Click to visit Deciding Where to File for more information about jurisdiction.

How long do you have to respond to a lawsuit?

However you decide to respond to the lawsuit, remember there are deadlines to take action. Typically, you have twenty calendar days from when you received the summons and complaint (not counting the day of service) to file a response with the court. But that time might be shorter in some cases.

What to do if you do nothing in a lawsuit?

If you do nothing, the plaintiff can – and probably will! – ask the court for a default judgment. You may have other options as well. The best way to evaluate your options is to speak to a lawyer. An attorney might be able to identify defenses that apply to you or even help you settle your case out of court.

What does it mean when you receive a summons and complaint?

Overview. If you have received a summons and complaint, that probably means you are being sued. Being sued can be one of life’s most stressful experiences. Although it might be tempting to ignore a summons and complaint, ignoring a lawsuit does not make it go away.

How long does it take to file a motion to dismiss?

When you file a motion to dismiss, the time for you to file an answer is postponed until the judge makes a decision on your motion. If the judge grants your motion, the case is dismissed and over. If the judge denies your motion, you have ten days to file an answer. (NRCP 12 (a); JCRCP 12 (a).)

How long do you have to file a civil rights lawsuit?

an employee alleging discrimination) must file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before filing any private lawsuit, and must do so within 180 days of the alleged offense. Only after receiving permission from the EEOC may individuals file alawsuit. This permission typically comes in the form of a "right to sue" letter issued by the EEOC, usually only after the EEOC has found sufficient evidence that a civil rights violation has occurred.

What to expect in a civil rights lawsuit?

What to Expect in a Lawsuit. A lawsuit for a civil rights violation will be filed and handled in civil court (federal or state civil court, as discussed above). In a civil case, the person claiming a civil rights violation (the "plaintiff") files a "complaint" with the court. The complaint sets out certain facts and allegations, ...

What to do if you have been a victim of a civil rights violation?

If you believe you have been the victim of a civil rights violation, you most likely have the option of filing a lawsuit against those responsible for any harm suffered as a result. Following are a few things to consider before filing a lawsuit for a civil rights violation -- including the requirement that you file a government claim before filing a lawsuit in some types of cases, the choice of where to file (federal or state court), and what to expect in a lawsuit.

What is a right to sue letter?

This permission typically comes in the form of a "right to sue" letter issued by the EEOC, usually only after the EEOC has found sufficient evidence that a civil rights violation has occurred. State agencies may also investigate a complaint for civil rights violations or discrimination, and may work alongside (or in place of) a federal agency.

What to do if you believe you have been violated?

If you believe you have suffered a civil rights violation,the best place to start is to speak with an experienced civil rights attorney. Important decisions related to your case can be complicated -- including which laws apply, whether you must file a claim with the government, and where you should file your lawsuit.

Is a complaint to the EEOC a dual filing?

As part of its standard procedure, that state agency will usually send the complaint to the EEOC at the federal level, so that it becomes a "dual filing.". An experienced civil rights attorney will be able to tell you whether filing a government claim will be necessary in your case. Thank you for subscribing!

Who is responsible for civil rights violations?

The complaint sets out certain facts and allegations, in an attempt to show that the opposing party (the "defendant (s)") is/are responsible for the civil rights violations alleged in the complaint, and for any harm suffered by the plaintiff as a result.

What to do if you don't have an attorney?

If you have insurance, you should submit the lawsuit to your insurance company and they will provide an attorney free of charge. If you do not have an attorney, you should contact one as soon as possible. Report Abuse. Report Abuse.

What to do if you have not been served with suit papers?

If you have not yet been served with suit papers, notify the agent and claims department immediately and give them all of the information they ask for.

What to do if your insurance company does not provide legal counsel?

If the insurance company does not provide legal counsel, you should identify, interview, and engage a litigation attorney.

Why do lawyers love their clients?

Lawyers love clients who sue over "principle," because their cases usually go on longer than those brought solely for economic reasons. If you're a defendant, resist the urge to countersue unless you have a solid case. See a therapist instead—they're cheaper than lawyers, and you'll feel a whole lot better. 9.

What is the unpleasantness of being a litigant?

The Incredible Unpleasantness of Being a Litigant. There's nothing worse than that sinking feeling you get when you are handed a legal document that announces you're being sued. Say hello to lawyers, courtrooms, big bills, sour stomachs, and sleepless nights. Here are things you may not know about being on the receiving end of a lawsuit.

Do you have to accept papers in a lawsuit?

1. You're it. You don't have to "accept" the papers that begin the lawsuit. You just have to be "given" the papers … which can mean that the server announced what the papers were and then presented them to you … even if you throw them on the ground. (p.s. That may earn you a citation for littering!)

How long do you have to file a claim after an accident?

Cities, counties, and other governments are free to set the rules under which they can be held liable for causing injuries or property damage. As a result of that freedom, most municipalities have put strict procedures in place for a claimant to follow before he or she can get compensation for an injury. You usually need to file a claim within a short amount of time after your accident or injury—30 to 180 days in most cases.

Can you sue a government employee for an accident?

From a procedural standpoint, the kind of case you're talking about is not a " lawsuit "—at least, it won't start out as one. You cannot usually just file a lawsuit against a government agency or government employee after an accident, the way you would a private citizen or business.

Do I need a lawyer for an accident?

If you think that a local government entity (or a government employee) is to blame for an accident, you don't need to hire a special kind of lawyer in order to bring a legal claim. You're most likely looking for a personal injury lawyer who represents people who have been injured as a result of someone else's negligence.

How to win a lawsuit against an attorney for malpractice?

To win when you sue an attorney for malpractice, you need to show that: The attorney was supposed to do something. He or she didn't do it (or did it wrong) This resulted in a financial loss to you (losing the case or losing money)

What happens if an attorney violates the law?

If the attorney violated proper ethics, you can file a grievance with the ethics committee of the state bar association, which ensures all attorneys are in good standing to renew their licenses. The attorney could be disbarred or directed to pay you compensation.

What are the types of malpractice?

Types of Attorney Malpractice 1 Negligence. To sue lawyer for negligence, you need to be able to prove the attorney didn't use the proper care in your case and missed a deadline, filed the wrong papers, didn't comply with court orders, or made other errors that were not intentional but were sloppy. Negligence happens when the attorney makes mistakes that other attorneys normally would not. 2 Breach of duty. This kind of malpractice happens when the lawyer violates his or her responsibilities to you by settling the case without your approval, not preparing the case for trial, lying to you, abandoning your case, misusing funds you provided for court costs, or misusing funds owed to you (such as a settlement amount). The attorney has not done what other attorneys would do in this type of case. 3 Breach of contract. This occurs when an attorney fails to do something he or she agreed to in your contract, such as filing your deed or patent. If the lawyer promised to do something he or she was contractually obligated to do and didn't do it, you have grounds for breach of contract.

What to do when you hire an attorney?

When you hire an attorney, you do so with trust and confidence. Most attorneys are upstanding and do a good job for their clients. Unfortunately, there are also some bad eggs out there. If your attorney has done something wrong, you may want to consider suing a lawyer for malpractice.

What is a breach of contract?

Breach of contract. This occurs when an attorney fails to do something he or she agreed to in your contract, such as filing your deed or patent. If the lawyer promised to do something he or she was contractually obligated to do and didn't do it, you have grounds for breach of contract.

Can an attorney be disbarred?

The attorney could be disbarred or directed to pay you compensation. If you are disputing a fee with your lawyer, the state also likely has a fee dispute committee that can help you obtain an out-of-court resolution. You can hire another attorney to complete or fix your case and obtain the outcome you need.

Can you sue a lawyer for negligence?

To sue lawyer for negligence, you need to be able to prove the attorney didn't use the proper care in your case and missed a deadline, filed the wrong papers, didn't comply with court orders, or made other errors that were not intentional but were sloppy.

3 attorney answers

Depends on what you wish to sue the State for!! Be aware of shorter statutes of limitations and the need for a notice of claim for many State actions.

Eliot M. Wolf

As Mr. Slick and Mr. Wolf indicated, you should seek counsel from some one familiar with bringing law suits against the state, and the type of lawyer depends on the nature of your claim.

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