Filing a Lawsuit in Dundalk, Maryland

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Litigation Lawyers in Dundalk

If you live in Dundalk, Maryland and think that you might be the victim of a legal wrong, you may decide that it's worth suing over, to recover compensation from the person who 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 Dundalk, Maryland attorney.

Once you retain a Dundalk, Maryland litigation attorney, he or she will be able to advise you on your chances of succeeding in your lawsuit. Additionally, 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 Dundalk, Maryland

Consultation With Your Attorney: Before filing any lawsuit in Dundalk, Maryland, you should speak with a local attorney. Your Dundalk, Maryland attorney will be able to advise you on the merits of your lawsuit, and your chances of success.

Drafting a Complaint: Once you have decided to go through with filing a lawsuit in a Dundalk, Maryland court, you need to draft a complaint, with the help of your lawyer. A complaint is normally the first step in actually filing a lawsuit. The complaint is the plaintiff's first opportunity to lay out the allegations against the defendant. If a complaint doesn't allege facts that add up to a valid lawsuit (that is, even if everything alleged in the complaint is true, the defendant has still not committed a legal wrong that the court can compensate), the case will have to be dismissed. When a case is dismissed for this reason, the court normally gives the plaintiff a chance to re-submit the complaint, with the errors corrected.

Serving The Defendant: Once you have drafted your complaint, you need to serve the defendant with it, and file it with the court. Dundalk, Maryland requires that lawsuits be served on defendants in a particular way. This is to ensure that the defendant has a good deal of notice that they're being sued, giving them time to find an attorney, and work on how they're going to defend themselves. It is strongly preferred to serve defendants in person (with a disinterested third party delivering the papers to the defendant). Sometimes, however, the defendant cannot be found, or is trying to avoid service, they can be served by mail with court approval.

Await Defendant's Response: When you have served the defendant with the complaint in Dundalk, Maryland, the defendant has time to respond. The most frequent response is known as an "answer," in which they specifically address the factual allegations you've made against them, normally 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 specific 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 Dundalk, Maryland Tort Lawyer Help?

This article gives you a basic picture of what is required to file a lawsuit in Dundalk, Maryland. 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 talk with a qualified Dundalk, Maryland attorney.

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Life in Dundalk

Dundalk, Maryland is a community situated in Baltimore County. It has a population of over 62,000 people. It is a major suburb of Baltimore, and one of the largest unincorporated communities in Maryland.

It is named after the town of Dundalk, Ireland. The name was given to the community by Henry McShane, who established the McShane Bell Foundry in the city, and hailed from Dundalk, Ireland. The McShane Foundry manufactured large church bells, and was one of the first major industrial concerns in the area.

Dundalk, Maryland's general look benefits from the presence of many beautiful historic buildings. Its climate, like the rest of its region, is humid and sub-tropical, which means it has hot and humid summers, but pleasant springs and falls, along with relatively mild winters. Its low elevation and location next to the Chesapeake Bay give it a much milder climate than many nearby areas.

For those who work in or near Baltimore, Dundalk is a good place to live, allowing residents to enjoy the "small town" feel of the local community, while giving them easy access to a major city, and all of the benefits that entails, such as jobs and amenities.

There are many Dundalk, Maryland lawyers who can help you with whatever legal problem you might have. If you are facing any type of legal issue, large or small, a Dundalk, Maryland lawyer can help.

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