by Lisa White

Civil Lawsuit, Lisa WhiteDecember 9, 20250 comments

What should you do if you are served with a civil lawsuit?

1. Contact a lawyer.

Nobody likes receiving delivery of court documents and finding out they are a defendant in a civil lawsuit – but if you are named as a defendant, be sure to consult with an attorney as soon as possible who is licensed to practice in your state or jurisdiction. Don’t be afraid to ask your lawyer questions during your initial consultation. The more information you provide during this initial meeting, the better your attorney will be able to assist you.

2. Be mindful of deadlines.

A response to the lawsuit will need to be filed with the court within a fixed period of time, calculated from the date on which you received written notice of the lawsuit. Read the delivered papers carefully, and be sure to ask your attorney about your responsive filing deadline.

3. Know your options and your rights.

After receiving notice that you have been named in a lawsuit, you may be tempted to directly contact the person or company that filed, without first consulting an attorney. Giving a written or verbal response to the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney, without first receiving advice from your own attorney, could be very detrimental to your defense. It is essential to have the benefit of professional legal advice and guidance before submitting any response to the person or company that has brought suit.

If you have been served with a lawsuit brought in courts located in Maryland or the District of Columbia, Lewicky, O’Connor, Hunt & Meiser stands ready to provide legal support to you. Call our office at (410) 489-1996 to schedule a consultation with an attorney who can provide you with options and guide you through the litigation process.

None of the information provided in this article constitutes legal advice. Every situation is different and should be thoroughly reviewed by and discussed with your legal advisors. Please do not rely on the contents of this article as the basis for making decisions regarding your particular situation.