Puerto Rico Civil Litigation Lawyers
Under Puerto Rico's law, civil litigation is a legal procedure brought by a private or public entity, which is not concerned with criminal activity.
Puerto Rico civil litigation serves the purpose of providing individuals with compensation for legal injustices or wrongs that have been committed against them.
In Puerto Rico, the basic purpose of civil litigation is not punishment or deterrence. Both of those goals are the province of the criminal justice system. Instead, civil litigation in Puerto Rico is meant to provide the victims of wrongdoing with tangible (usually monetary) redress.
What Are Common Subjects of Civil Litigation in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico civil litigation can come up in essentially any context. However, some situations are more likely to lead to civil litigation than others:
Personal Injury: Personal injury in Puerto Rico is probably the issue that most commonly leads to civil litigation. When someone is physically harmed because of the intentional or negligent conduct of another, they have a right to recover the costs associated with the injury, such as medical expenses, lost wages, etc.
Employment: It's also common for the employment relationship to lead to civil litigation in Puerto Rico. This relationship can become very contentious at times, so this shouldn't come as a surprise. Unlawful practices like racial discrimination, and failing to pay at least minimum wage, are common sources of civil litigation in Puerto Rico.
Family Disputes: Most people in Puerto Rico know that the family relationship can be complicated, to say the least. Disputes involving divorce, community property, and child custody can easily lead to civil litigation in Puerto Rico.
Do I Need a Puerto Rico Civil Litigation Attorney?
In Puerto Rico, many people get involved in civil litigation, thinking that a lawsuit is something that would happen to someone else, but not them. And the issues involved in civil litigation are almost always extremely convoluted.
Therefore, it's prudent to consult with a civil litigation attorney in Puerto Rico if you think that you might become involved in a civil lawsuit in the foreseeable future.
Interesting Facts About Puerto Rico
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean. The islands were ceded to the United States in 1898, as an outcome of the Treaty of Paris. Although Puerto Rico is not a U.S. state, U.S. federal laws apply to Puerto Rican citizens, who were declared U.S. citizens in 1917.
Puerto Rico has a republican form of government similar to that of the U.S. with its three branches. Its capitol is located in San Juan, and is home to the Legislative Assembly. Puerto Rican law is a hybrid system of common law (similar to U.S. case law) and civil law (statutes created by legislature). Thus, lawyers in Puerto Rico must study and examine these two overlapping systems when assisting clients.
Puerto Rico's court system is composed of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, a Court of Appeals, and the Court of First Instance. Selected fundamental rights from the U.S. Constitution apply to Puerto Rican citizens. U.S. Supreme Court cases have commented on which other specific rights apply to the territory. For example, residents of Puerto Rico generally do not have the right to vote in U.S. presidential elections
Lawyers in Puerto Rico assist clients by providing a wide range of legal services. Puerto Rico lawyers are available to assist with legal issues that can be very unique to the area. Attorneys in Puerto Rico are also available for representation in court during lawsuits and other types of legal claims.
