Filing a Lawsuit in Antioch, California

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Litigation Lawyers in Antioch

If you live in , California, 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're considering filing a lawsuit, there are many things you need to consider, and it is not a decision to be made lightly. You should not file a lawsuit without seeking the advice of an Antioch, California civil litigation attorney first.

When you retain a civil litigation lawyer in Antioch, California, they'll be able to give you some very useful advice, particularly in devising a strategy that maximizes your chances of winning your lawsuit. You'll probably also wonder how much this lawsuit is going to cost you, especially if you don't win. This largely depends on the attorney's fee structure. If the attorney charges an hourly rate, you will simply have to pay the lawyer for every hour they work. This can add up to a huge amount of money, very quickly. If they charge on a contingency basis, you do not have to pay any attorney's fees unless you win, and payment comes in the form of the percentage of the judgment. However, if you lose, you might still be responsible for costs, such as court fees, which are incurred no matter what happens to the case.

Steps for Filing a Lawsuit in Antioch, California

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

Drafting The Complaint: In Antioch, California, 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, or your lawyer, have drafted a complaint, the defendant must be served with it, so they have notice that they're being sued, and are given time to prepare a defense. Antioch, California has specific rules governing how a complaint must be served, for the service to be valid. Personal service (having someone give the documents directly to the defendant) is preferred. However, some courts will also accept service by mail in limited circumstances, or service upon an adult member of the defendant's household.

Await the Response: The defendant in Antioch, California has an opportunity to respond to the allegations against them. They have several options in how they respond to a lawsuit. They can move to dismiss the case (arguing that, even if everything the complaint alleges is true, they would still not be liable for anything), or they can file with the court, and serve upon the plaintiff an answer. An answer is a point-by-point disposal of every allegation against the defendant. The defendant can admit the allegations, deny them, or claim that they do not have enough information to admit or deny them (which basically operates as a denial). Usually, the defendant will admit the inconsequential allegations, so they don't have to be litigated (if the lawsuit is about a car accident involving the plaintiff and defendant, they'll probably go ahead and admit that the accident took place), but deny any allegation that could establish liability, if true (they'll deny responsibility for the car accident, for example). If the defendant does not respond by the deadline, they will have a default judgment entered against them, and automatically lose the case.

How Can A Antioch, California Tort Lawyer Help?

This simple outline is meant to give you a general idea of what goes into filing a lawsuit in Antioch, California, but it is by no means a comprehensive guide.

You should seek the advice of a qualified litigation attorney if you are planning on filing a lawsuit against somebody who you think has wronged you in Antioch, California.

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Life in Antioch

Antioch, California is a city of about 103,000 people. It is located in Contra Costa County, California, in the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta. It is considered a suburb of San Francisco and Oakland.

Antioch is one of the oldest towns in California. It was founded in 1850. A few years later, coal was discovered in some of the nearby hills, and coal mining became the first major industry in Antioch, California.

Modernly, Antioch is a mostly-residential community, where many professionals who work in the larger cities nearby, such as San Francisco and Oakland, live. Its economy is based largely on retail, healthcare, and white-collar services, such as law offices and lawyers.

If you live in Antioch, California, and need legal advice, it's almost certain that there's an Antioch, California attorney who can help.

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