Filing a Lawsuit in Sterling Heights, Michigan

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Litigation Lawyers in Sterling Heights

If you live in Sterling Heights, Michigan 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 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 Sterling Heights, Michigan before you proceed.

Your Sterling Heights, Michigan 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 Sterling Heights, Michigan

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

Drafting The Complaint: In Sterling Heights, Michigan, 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: When you have decided that you want to file a lawsuit in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and have drafted the complaint, your next major 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 basic 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 first 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 Sterling Heights, Michigan, the law gives civil defendants a fairly long period of time (a month or two usually) to respond to a lawsuit against them. The most common response is either an answer (where they address the factual allegations against them, usually 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 usually 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 Sterling Heights, Michigan Tort Lawyer Help?

As you can see, it can be a complicated and difficult process to file a lawsuit in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and it is, in fact, much more complicated than the basic outline you just read.

Therefore, it is imperative that you consult a qualified civil litigation attorney before you file any type of lawsuit in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

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Life in Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights, Michigan is an important suburb of Detroit. It is located in Macomb County, about half an hour away from downtown Detroit. The city is most noted as a recipient of various safety awards, and was named Michigan's safest city in 2010. Sterling Heights maintains a "Sidewalk Inspection Program", which utilizes meter readings for reporting hazardous sidewalks conditions.

The local economy of Sterling Heights is stimulated by the presence of over 3,500 industrial and commercial businesses. Major employers in the city include General Dynamics, Visteon, and Detroit Free Press. Of notable interest in Chrysler's Sterling Heights Stamping Plant, the world's largest stamping plant for metals. Sterling Height's close location to Detroit has also attracted several automotive industry companies.

In addition to its diverse economy, Sterling Heights is an excellent city for families. The city holds several very popular events such as Music in the Park, "A Sterling Christmas", and Sterlingfest. Residents can also visit Dodge Park, which serves as host to a number of concerts and events throughout the year.

Lawyers in Sterling Heights, Michigan offer legal service in a wide range of legal fields. They are experienced in a variety of legal matters and disputes. Many Sterling Heights attorneys represent clients in the Macomb County District Court.

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