Filing a Lawsuit in Rochester, New York

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Litigation Lawyers in Rochester

If you are in Rochester, New York and believe that some type of legal wrong has been committed against you, and decide that seeking legal redress will be worth the time and expense involved, you may wish to file a lawsuit.

If you are contemplating filing a lawsuit, you should know that there are many factors that need to be considered before doing so. You should definitely hire a good attorney from Rochester, New York before you proceed.

Your Rochester, New York civil litigation attorney will be able to advise you on whether or not you have a legitimate case, and, if so, your best options 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 Rochester, New York

Consultation with your attorney: Before you proceed with any legal action in Rochester, New York, you should seek the advice and counsel of a good Rochester, New York attorney. He or she will be indispensable in helping you succeed in your lawsuit.

Drafting The Complaint: In Rochester, New York, the first step to filing a lawsuit, once you've actually decided to do so (in consultation with your attorney), is writing a complaint. A complaint is simply a list of facts that you allege against the defendant. A court must look at these allegations and determine if they add up to a valid cause of action, assuming they're true. If they do not add up to a cause of action, the case may be dismissed. The complaint also usually ask the court to provide specific relief, should it rule in the plaintiff's favor.

Serving The Defendant: Once you and your attorney have written a good complaint, and filed it with the court, it needs to be served on the defendant within a certain period of time. This is required under the law of Rochester, New York to ensure that the defendant actually knows that he's being sued, and has time to find a lawyer and prepare a defense. Generally, the defendant should be served in person. However, when this isn't possible, service by mail is also acceptable in a few instances.

Awaiting the Defendant's Response: Once a lawsuit has been filed, and the defendant has been served in Rochester, New York, the defendant has time to respond. They usually do so by drafting an answer to the complaint, in which they deny the plaintiff's allegations, or assert a legal defense. If the defendant fails to respond within a set period of time, they will be in default, and you may be able to get a "default judgment" against them, in which all of your allegations against the defendant are treated as if the defendant admitted them, and you only need to prove that you've suffered losses that warrant the damages you're asking for.

How Can A Rochester, New York Tort Lawyer Help?

This article gives you a basic picture of what is required to file a lawsuit in Rochester, New York. 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 Rochester, New York attorney.

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Life in Rochester

Rochester is the second largest regional economy in the State of New York and the seat of Monroe County. They city's had a number of different names bestowed upon it such as "the World's Image Centre," "the Flour City," "and more recently, "the Flower City."

Annual Festivals like the Rochester International Jazz Festival, Rochester-High Falls International Film Festival, ImageOut, Lesbian Gay Film Video Festival, and the Lilac Festival are all attractions bring an average of 500,000 visitors to the city. Many of them take place at the Dryden and Little Theatres. The St. Patrick's Day, Rose Festival, Irish, Greek, Gay Pride, Puerto Rican, and Cold Rush Winter Celebration parades are held in the downtown district of Rochester.

Additional tourist attractions include the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film that is the World's oldest photography museum and the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial which is the main venue for hockey and lacrosse events. The Blue Cross Arena is home to the Rochester Americans hockey team, Rochester Razorsharks basketball team, and the Knighthawks lacrosse team. The Blue Cross Arena was elected the location for the NCAA Division I Men's ice hockey league and was host to the 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey East Regional.

Residents of Rochester enjoy access to a number of bar certified local lawyers. Rochester lawyers regularly practice in local courts and many have specific areas of expertise. If you've been injured, have an immigration issue, or even just want to secure your will, Rochester lawyers can advise you on different options of which you may not be aware.

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