Filing a Lawsuit in Port Arthur, Texas

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Litigation Lawyers in Port Arthur

If you are a resident of Port Arthur, Texas and believe that somebody has committed a legal wrong against you, and have determined that the effort and expense involved in seeking payment is worth it, you may consider filing 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 retain a seasoned attorney from Port Arthur, Texas before you proceed.

The Port Arthur, Texas attorney you end up contacting will be able to advise you on whether you have a good case. If you do, they will further advise you on your best options on how to proceed. Your lawyer can also inform you about what their fees are, and if they have multiple payment options.

Steps for Filing a Lawsuit in Port Arthur, Texas

Consultation with your attorney: You should always speak with a Port Arthur, Texas lawyer who specializes in civil litigation before filing any type of lawsuit in a court in Port Arthur, Texas. Your lawyer will have essential 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 Port Arthur, Texas, the initial 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 typically 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: When you have determined that you want to file a lawsuit in Port Arthur, Texas, 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 certain 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 Defendant's Response: In Port Arthur, Texas, the law gives civil defendants a fairly long period of time (a month or two normally) to respond to a lawsuit against them. The most frequent response is either an answer (where they address the factual allegations against them, normally denying most or all of the allegations) or a motion to dismiss (where the contend that, even if everything alleged in the complaint is true, those facts would not establish liability). If the defendant does nothing, and fails to respond, they run the risk of having a default judgment entered against them. This normally means that the court automatically rules against them, treating the plaintiff as if they won the lawsuit. This gives the plaintiff a judgment against the defendant, which they can seek to collect using all legal means.

How Can A Port Arthur, Texas Tort Lawyer Help?

As you can see, it can be a complex and difficult process to file a lawsuit in Port Arthur, Texas, and it is, in fact, much more complex than the basic outline you just read.

Thus, if you want to file a lawsuit against someone in Port Arthur, Texas, you should not delay to talk with an attorney, who will be able to advise you on the best way to proceed.

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Port Arthur

Port Arthur is experiencing an economic revitalization with nearly billion in projects involving energy infrastructure. Golden Pass and Sabine Pass LNG terminals are the largest and would bring in millions of dollars to Port Arthur each year. Port Arthur is one of Texas' leading seaports and was in the news recently when an oil tanker and barge collided. Port Arthur is connected to the rest of Texas intersecting with a number of US and state highways making it ideal for transportation and distribution. Being the center of so much business, Port Arthur has some of the best outlet and shopping in the area. The business boom has also attracted a number of lawyers to the area to help sort out any legal problem that may arise. Port Arthur lawyers know business law well but many also focus their practices in other areas like family, criminal, and immigration law.

Port Arthur offers a number of worthwhile educational outlets like public libraries and schools. The Bob Hope Charter School and Lamar State College are both located in Port Arthur. Notables of Port Arthur include Janis Joplin, Jimmy Johnson, G.W. Bailey, and rap group UGK. Port Arthur has seen major damage from Gulf of Mexico hurricanes and tropical cyclones like Hurricane Rita, Humberto, Ike, and Tropical Storm Eduard. Luckily, Port Arthur residents have prepared successfully beforehand or recovered from the forceful damaging storms.

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