Civil Lawsuits: Understanding The Process
Civil lawsuits usually involve private disputes between two or more persons or organizations. Examples of civil lawsuits include:
- Contract disputes (e.g., employee groups, professional associations, wills, probate, estate matters)
- Injuries sustained in a car accident (see also, personal injury)
- Neglect of duty
- Residential evictions
- Wrongful terminations
The goal of every civil lawsuit is to get you the compensation you deserve. A civil case is usually instigated by a private party – a person or business who has allegedly suffered some kind of damage. In contrast, a criminal case is brought by a prosecutor or other attorney representing the government.
An Experienced Litigator Can Help
The standard playbook for civil lawsuits typically involves the filing of pleadings (the complaint, an answer and other responsive documents), conducting discovery (the information gathering stage of a lawsuit), and the trial (presenting the evidence to a judge or a jury). A party who is aggrieved by some aspect of the case can also file an appeal. Parties can circumvent the typical process, however, by settling their dispute prior to the conclusion of the trial. In fact, the majority of civil lawsuits settle before going to trial. Yet another alternative to trial is dispute resolution through arbitration.
Besides negotiating disputes between persons, Michael J. Beatrice has also represented employee groups and professional associations in negotiating public employment contracts. He has an excellent track record of getting his clients the compensation they deserve.
Contact Us For Help With Your Situation
Do you have a civil dispute that requires strategic guidance from an experienced attorney? Michael J. Beatrice, P.C., Attorney at Law can help. Contact us online or call 201-897-3570 for a free consultation.
Sample Case Results: Civil Litigation
Two zoning officers appealed a judge’s decision to dismiss their claim that they wrongfully lost their jobs when the town switched to a regional service. Mr. Beatrice argued that town officials had ignored their tenure and a state statute forbidding volunteer firefighters from being fired from governmental jobs for political reasons.
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The 130-member Waldwick Education Association had worked without a contract for several months. Mr. Beatrice successfully negotiated the settlement.
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The 365-member Ridgewood Education Association reached a contract settlement with the help of Michael J. Beatrice who helped negotiate the terms of their salary-hike demands, which were the highest in the county at the time.
Read more case results here.