Filing a Lawsuit in Hempstead, New York

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Litigation Lawyers in Hempstead

If you are in Hempstead, 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 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 Hempstead, New York attorney.

When you hire a civil litigation lawyer in Hempstead, New York, 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 Hempstead, New York

Consultation with your attorney: You should always speak with a Hempstead, New York lawyer who specializes in civil litigation before filing any type of lawsuit in a court in Hempstead, New York. Your lawyer will have crucial 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 Hempstead, New York, the first 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 usually 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 decided that you want to file a lawsuit in Hempstead, New York, 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 particular 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: When you have served the defendant with the complaint in Hempstead, New York, the defendant has time to respond. The most prevalent response is known as an "answer," in which they specifically address the factual allegations you've made against them, typically 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 given 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 Hempstead, New York Tort Lawyer Help?

Filing a lawsuit in a Hempstead, New York court is a bit more intricate than the basic outline laid out above.

You should seek the advice of a knowledgeable litigation attorney if you are planning on filing a lawsuit against somebody who you think has wronged you in Hempstead, New York.

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Life in Hempstead

Hempstead comprises one third of the municipalities in Nassau County and is situated in the southeast. Hempstead is much larger than nearby Buffalo playing host to 756,000 New York residents. It is the 14th most populous city in the State of New York. The Town of Hempsead is the 47th largest employer in Long Island with 2,000 employees. The Village of Hempstead is incorporated within the Town of Hempstead that also includes a total of 22 villages and 37 hamlets. There are many lawyers living in Hempstead. Those lawyers are familiar with Nassau County courts and procedures in many different areas of law.  

Hempstead plays host to a number of outstanding parks and recreational areas including the Hempstead Lake State Park, Valley Stream State Park, and Jones Street State Park. The New York State Parks in the Town of Hempstead incorporate fishing areas, covered picnic areas, tennis courts, sports fields, boat launches, hiking, and nature trails. In the winter ice fishing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling are just a few of the activities offered by state parks in Hempstead. 

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