Filing a Lawsuit in St. Petersburg, Florida

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Litigation Lawyers in St. Petersburg

If you live in , Florida, and believe that you have suffered some type of legal wrong, you may wish to file a lawsuit against the person who allegedly wronged you.

If you think that filing a lawsuit is a good option in seeking redress, you should not rush into this decision. A lawsuit is a time-consuming and expensive process. You should not make a final decision without speaking to a St. Petersburg, Florida attorney.

Once you hire a St. Petersburg, Florida litigation attorney, he or she will be able to advise you on your chances of succeeding in your lawsuit. Furthermore, your lawyer can inform you on what a lawsuit is likely to cost, both in time and money. Obviously, your lawyer has some control over what it will cost you, based on their fees, and whether they bill an hourly rate, or charge on a contingency rate.

Steps for Filing a Lawsuit in St. Petersburg, Florida

Consultation with your attorney: Before you continue in any legal action in St. Petersburg, Florida, you should speak with a good local attorney in St. Petersburg, Florida. Your legal counsel can make sure you have the best possible chance of winning your case, and help you decide if you should file your lawsuit in the first place.

Drafting The Complaint: In St. Petersburg, Florida, the first step in filing a lawsuit is drafting a complaint. The complaint is a document that lays out all of your allegations against the person you're suing. It generally provides necessary background information, details the injuries you suffered, and why the person you're suing is to blame for those injuries. It also usually contains a specific "prayer" (request) for relief - a brief statement telling the court what the plaintiff is asking of it, such as monetary damages, and injunction, or other relief.

Serving The Defendant: After you draft your complaint, and file it with the court, you have to let the defendant know that they're being sued. The law of St. Petersburg, Florida requires that the defendant be given advance notice of the lawsuit as a matter of basic fairness: if you were being sued, you'd want to be given time to find a lawyer and prepare your defense strategy, right? So, with that in mind, the law prefers that defendants be served personally, generally through the use of a paid process server.

Await Defendant's Response: When you have served the defendant with the complaint in St. Petersburg, Florida, the defendant has time to respond. The most common response is known as an "answer," in which they specifically address the factual allegations you've made against them, usually by denying most of the allegations. They might also move to dismiss the case if they can argue that the complaint is legally flawed. A judge then has to rule on this motion. If the defendant doesn't respond within a certain period of time, they are said to have "defaulted." This allows the court to enter a default judgment, in which the plaintiff essentially automatically wins the lawsuit. Once this happens, the defendant, if they're ever located, can be served with the judgment, and will have very little power to challenge the merits of your case.

How Can A St. Petersburg, Florida Tort Lawyer Help?

This article gives you a basic picture of what is required to file a lawsuit in St. Petersburg, Florida. However, it should not, under any circumstances, be read as a complete guide to the litigation process.

If you have suffered a legal wrong in and decide to sue the person who you believed wronged you, you should consult with a qualified St. Petersburg, Florida attorney.

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Life in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, Florida is the fourth largest city in the state of Florida, and a popular vacation destination for both domestic and international tourists. St. Petersburg is the second largest city in the Tampa Bay area, and home to just under 250,000 residents. The sizeable city is located between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay -- a location that makes St. Petersburg highly accessible. Nicknamed, "The Sunshine City"boasts 360 days of sunshine a year. Not surprisingly, St. Petersburg is also apopular retirement destination. The St. Petersburg Pier, Museum of Fine Arts, and the Salvador Dali Museum are just a couple of the more popular attractions in the sunny city. St. Petersburg is also home to three professional sports teams for football, baseball, and hockey as well as hosts to many amateursports teams. Professional athletes are not the only professionals that thrive in St. Petersburg. Doctors, lawyers, and accountants are also plentiful in the city. St. Petersburg lawyers have a range of skills and are available to help their clients with big or small legal problems. St. Petersburg lawyers are skilled in any issue a client may be dealing with. With the great weather and growing industries, it is no wonder that St. Petersburg also attracts so many fabulous attorneys.

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