{"id":368961,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/how-to-sue.html"},"modified":"2024-04-02T16:09:24","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T21:09:24","slug":"how-to-sue","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/how-to-sue.html","title":{"rendered":"How To Sue"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">How To Sue<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/samuel-strom-j-d\/\">Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-bender-esq\/\">Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last reviewed\n        <time>\n                            April 02, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>Once you have decided to file a lawsuit, you may need help figuring out how to get started. Filing a lawsuit is not always a clear and straightforward process.&nbsp;Even basic decisions such as where to sue might be more complex than they seem.<\/p>\r\n<p>In FindLaw&#8217;s section on How To Sue, you can find information about how to decide whether to file a lawsuit, if&nbsp;you need the counsel of an attorney, how to write demand letters before a lawsuit, and what to expect in a lawsuit as it progresses from beginning to end.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Determining if You Should File a Lawsuit<\/h2>\r\n<p>When someone injures you or damages your property, your first instinct may be to think, &quot;I&#8217;m going to sue that person!&quot; However, lawsuits often take up a lot of time, energy, and money. Therefore, it&#8217;s essential to consider your lawsuit carefully before filing it. A few helpful questions to consider when determining whether or not to file a lawsuit include the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Do you have a good case?<\/li>\r\n<li>Are you willing to mediate the case or accept a settlement?<\/li>\r\n<li>Will you be able to collect money from the defendant if you win your lawsuit?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Although there are never guarantees that you will win a case, figuring out if you have a good case is essential. You can break down most lawsuits and causes of action into&nbsp;elements. To determine if you have a good case, you must have enough evidence or proof to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/element.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">satisfy each element<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>For example, suppose you want to file a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/business-contracts-forms\/contract-law.html\">breach of contract lawsuit<\/a>&nbsp;against a contractor. In that case, you must consider whether you can satisfy each&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/business-contracts-forms\/breach-of-contract-and-lawsuits.html\">element of a breach of contract case<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>In the United States legal system,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelawdictionary.org\/article\/what-percentage-of-lawsuits-settle-before-trial-what-are-some-statistics-on-personal-injury-settlements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">most cases settle<\/a>&nbsp;before a jury trial occurs. The best solution to a problem is often to discuss the issue with the other side. You can also&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/adr\/mediation\/mediation-faqs.html\">contact a mediator<\/a>&nbsp;to help resolve the case.&nbsp;Mediation&nbsp;is often a much more low-cost and quicker alternative to a trial. Some judges may require the parties to attempt to mediate or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/adr\/arbitration\/what-is-arbitration-.html\">arbitrate the issues<\/a>&nbsp;before heading to court.<\/p>\r\n<p>Assuming you have positive answers to the first two questions, you should&nbsp;consider whether the defendant has the funds to satisfy a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/judgment.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">money judgment<\/a>&nbsp;in your favor. If the defendant can&#8217;t pay a monetary judgment, there is no point in going through the time, effort, and money suing&nbsp;them.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Statute of Limitations<\/h2>\r\n<p>You must file your lawsuit within its specified time limit. The time limit, known as the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/statute-of-limitations.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">statute of limitations<\/a>, depends on state laws and the cause of action. The court may only hear the case if you file the lawsuit within its statute of limitations. For this reason, it&#8217;s important to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">consult an attorney<\/a>&nbsp;or look up your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state.html\">state&#8217;s laws<\/a>&nbsp;when considering whether to file a lawsuit.<\/p>\r\n<p>The clock for the statute of limitations of a particular cause of action may start running at&nbsp;different times. Three of the most common times that the clock can start to run are as follows:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The date of harm<\/li>\r\n<li>The date of discovery of the harm<\/li>\r\n<li>The date you should have discovered the harm<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The date of harm is when the actual injury occurred. For example, the statute of limitations may begin running on the date that a car accident damaged your car.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>The date of discovery can occur when the plaintiff can only ascertain that injuries or damage occurred at a later date. The date you should have discovered the harm is when a reasonable person would have discovered the harm.<\/p>\r\n<p>You can look up the laws of your state to find out when the statute of limitations begins for the particular harm you have suffered.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Hiring a Litigation Attorney<\/h2>\r\n<p>If you believe someone is responsible for the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/personal-injury-law-the-basics.html\">personal injury<\/a>, property damage, or monetary loss you have suffered, contact a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">local litigation attorney<\/a>&nbsp;to discuss your options. An attorney can provide valuable legal advice as you prepare to file a lawsuit, such as:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Determining whether you should file your case in a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/small-claims-court.html\">small claims court<\/a>&nbsp;or a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/civil-court-cases.html\">civil court<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>How to obtain court forms and how to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/pleading.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">file pleadings<\/a>&nbsp;at a district or county court<\/li>\r\n<li>Different ways to ensure the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/service-of-process.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">service of process<\/a>, such as hiring a private process server or the sheriff&#8217;s office to serve the defendant<\/li>\r\n<li>Determining the amount of money you should claim in your case and whether you can recover your filing fees if you prevail in the lawsuit<\/li>\r\n<li>Information about the different methods of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/alternative-dispute-resolution.html\">alternative dispute resolution<\/a>&nbsp;available, such as mediation and arbitration<\/li>\r\n<li>Specific advice for your legal claim, information about court rules, and how to prepare for an upcoming court proceeding<\/li>\r\n<li>Whether to file your case in a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.findlaw.com\/litigation-disputes\/whether-to-sue-or-defend-in-a-state-or-federal-court.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">state district court or federal court<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>If you have a potential lawsuit or you&#8217;ve received notice of a legal proceeding filed against you, contact a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">civil litigation attorney<\/a>&nbsp;today.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 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2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        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for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n     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       name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    You want an attorney to represent you in court or during appeals\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Complex court cases (such as contract disputes, real estate, family law, personal injury, or employment) generally need the support of an attorney\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>The court process for many cases, such as intellectual property or probate, can be complicated and slow. An attorney can offer tailored advice and help prevent common mistakes during litigation.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum:FL34\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find a local attorney<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                src=\"https://www.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1745902396\/ability-law\/wp-prod\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1.png?_i=AA\"\n                alt=\"\"\n                loading=\"lazy\"\n            \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-content fl-flex fl-flex-wrap\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-text fl-mb25\">\n            <h4 class=\"fl-no-margin\">Enter your email address to subscribe<\/h4>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <form class=\"email-subscription-content-form\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distributionList\" value=\"latl\" \/>\n            <label for=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" class=\"fl-text-sm-bold\">Email (Required)<\/label>\n            <div class=\"email-subscription-content-form-group\">\n                <input 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<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to Findlaw&#8217;s section on How To Sue. 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