Filing a Lawsuit in Lawrence, Massachusetts

Find the right Litigation attorney in Lawrence, MA

  • /10
  • Client Overall
    Satisfaction Rate*
*TrustPilot score as of 010118

Litigation Lawyers in Lawrence

If you live in Lawrence, Massachusetts and think that you might be the victim of a legal wrong, you may determine that it's worth suing over, to recover compensation from the individual who wronged you.

If you think that filing a lawsuit is a good choice in seeking redress, you should not rush into this decision. A lawsuit is a time-consuming and costly process. You should not make a final decision without talking to a Lawrence, Massachusetts attorney.

Your Lawrence, Massachusetts civil litigation attorney will be able to advise you on whether or not you have a legitimate case, and, if so, your best avenues on how to proceed. The attorney will also discuss with you the fees for their services, and whether he or she can represent you on a contingency basis.

Steps for Filing a Lawsuit in Lawrence, Massachusetts

Consultation with your attorney: You should always speak with a Lawrence, Massachusetts lawyer who specializes in civil litigation before filing any type of lawsuit in a court in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Your lawyer will have critical information and advise, helping you decide whether or not your chances of success in the lawsuit make it worth your while to proceed.

Drafting the complaint: In Lawrence, Massachusetts, once you have decided to file a lawsuit, the initial thing you usually have to do is draft a complaint. The complaint is a document that contains all of the allegations you're making against the defendant (the person whom you are suing). It usually must allege all of the facts necessary to constitute a cause of action, though in some systems, very few facts are strictly required to be alleged. It also typically has, at the end, a "prayer" (request) for relief. This final section tells the court what type of relief the plaintiff wants, should the court rule in the plaintiff's favor.

Serving the Defendant: When you have determined that you want to file a lawsuit in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and have drafted the complaint, your next important step is to file the complaint with the court, and serve it on the defendant. The defendant must be given at least several weeks' notice that they're being sued, and as much time to review the complaint. This is a matter of general fairness and due process, and allows the defendant to hire a lawyer and get to work on a defense. The law requires that the defendant be served in a few specific ways. The initial choice is to give it to them in person. This has to be done by a person who does not have any direct involvement in the lawsuit. If that isn't possible, the defendant can be served by giving the complaint to another adult member of their household; this is called substituted service.

Await The Response: The defendant has a certain amount of time to respond to your lawsuit, once they confirm that they've been served in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The defendant will likely respond with an answer to your complaint. An answer is a document in which the defendant admits or denies the specific factual allegations made by the plaintiff. Typically, the defendant will admit the allegations that are not seriously in dispute (for instance, if the lawsuit concerns a car accident, they'll probably admit that an accident did, in fact, take place), but deny the more serious allegations (they'll probably deny that they were responsible for the accident). If the defendant fails to respond within a set period of time, they are in "default," and basically lose the case automatically.

How Can A Lawrence, Massachusetts Tort Lawyer Help?

Filing a lawsuit in a Lawrence, Massachusetts court is a bit more complicated than the basic outline laid out above.

Thus, it is crucial that you consult a qualified civil litigation attorney before you file any type of lawsuit in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Lawrence

Lawrence, Massachusetts is a city located in Essex County. According to a 2007 Census estimate, Lawrence has a population of about 70,000 people. Along with Salem, Lawrence is the county seat of Essex County.

Lawrence, Massachusetts was first founded in 1640, as an English settlement. During the industrial revolution, which went on from the mid-1800s to the early 20th century, Lawrence grew rapidly.

Lawrence quickly became home to many large and productive textile mills. However, like many cities during the industrial revolution, Lawrence underwent significant growing pains. In 1912, a mill collapsed, and killed over 140 workers. This, along with many other factors, such as sub-standard working conditions and low pay, led to a strike by over 25,000 workers, now known as the Bread and Roses Strike, which has since become a rallying cry for many workers' rights organizations.

In the 1950s, Lawrence saw a decline in many of its traditional industries, which led to a period of economic hardship. However, its economy is currentlyseeing some improvement, witha sharp decrease in violent crime, and a spike in private investment, with many investors purchasing the many old mill and factory buildings.

If you live in or near Lawrence, Massachusetts, chances are very good that you'll be able to find a good lawyer. Lawrence, Massachusetts lawyers have to deal with a wide variety of cases, and as a result, tend to be well-rounded.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Howard B.
Howard B.

Business - Litigation

Rye Brook, NY

Mark B.
Mark B.

Business - Litigation

Roseland, NJ

David A.
David A.

Business - Litigation

Walnut Creek, CA