If you were served with a lawsuit in Texas, you should not take the matter lightly, no matter how you feel about the case or the person who is suing you. Even if you believe the case brought against you is completely without merit and/or that the plaintiff does not have a leg to stand on, your failure to take the matter seriously could result in a judgment against you – one that could cost you hefty sums of money.
The civil court system in Texas is designed to give parties to a lawsuit their day in court. And, even if you believe that you were sued wrongfully, you must still respond to the lawsuit effectively and abide by court rules and procedures. That includes closely and meticulously following timelines and deadlines. From the moment when you are served with a lawsuit, the clock starts ticking. This clock continues to start and stop when certain events occur – such as the filing of a motion or the date of a court order. The entire process of a civil lawsuit, also known as litigation, is time-consuming and expensive. If you fail to actively and appropriately participate in the process, the consequences could be very far-reaching.
Take The Necessary Steps To Protect Your Rights
If you have been sued in a civil action – for any amount of money or other damages – you should seek legal counsel as soon as possible. You want to ensure that your legal rights are protected in the most efficient and proficient way possible. The last thing you want is to receive an unnecessary, unwarranted, and unfavorable court order because you did not do everything you could to prevent it.
The litigation attorneys at Sheehan Law, PLLC, have years of experience representing those sued in civil actions. The firm has a very successful track record in defending clients and preventing unjust results.
Bringing A Lawsuit
Choosing to bring a lawsuit against someone else – whether it is an individual, company, government entity, or some sort of combination of the above – is not a decision to make haphazardly. A thorough evaluation of your potential case is critical before taking the steps to initiate a lawsuit. The civil attorneys at Sheehan Law, PLLC promise to conduct a risk-benefit analysis of your case and provide you with an honest assessment of what you may face if you choose to “enter the ring.” You may have suffered severe injuries due to the negligence of others, and you deserve to be compensated for your losses. There are countless reasons to choose to bring a lawsuit. However, there are no reasons for doing so without competent and reputable legal counsel.
So, what is one of the most important “countless reasons” to hire an attorney when bringing or defending a civil suit? Well, as mentioned, timing matters. For example, every cause of action (i.e., negligence, products liability, breach of contract, etc.) has what is known as a statute of limitations. That means that a plaintiff has a very specific time period in which to bring a lawsuit based on a particular event – or he or she is out of luck. With respect to a Texas personal injury claim, a plaintiff generally has two years from the date of the injury to bring a civil suit.
With regards to a breach of contract claim, a plaintiff has four years from the date of the breach to bring a civil suit. (Because there are always nuances and exceptions to the norm, it is critical to work with legal counsel to determine the statute of limitations for your particular claim as soon as possible!) And so on, and so on. Failure to bring a lawsuit before the statute of limitations run could result in a dismissal of your case.
Once the lawsuit commences, there are other time-related issues to consider. For example, answers, motions, responses, etc. all must be filed with the court within very specific timelines. Failure to do so can result in a default judgment for the other party. Timing with respect to discovery is also governed by court rules. There are timelines in which discovery must be submitted to the other party, and when answers must be provided.
Contact Us Today
When choosing among civil attorneys in Austin, Texas, you want confidence that the firm you hire will provide you with an honest, realistic picture of where you stand within the letter of the law as well as the practicalities of the court system. Sheehan Law, PLLC strives to give you that perspective to the fullest extent possible. We pledge to handle your lawsuit with the same drive, persistence, and commitment to excellence as if we were in your position. Whether you are involved in business, consumer, real estate, probate contests, or other litigation, you can rely on Sheehan Law, PLLC to represent your best interests.
Contact us for answers to your questions, or for more information.
