Lawsuits are complicated things, and they can be a nightmare to get through if you don’t know what you’re doing. For most people, there isn’t much time to plan, either; no matter which side you’re on, things happen quickly, and there’s usually a lot of rushing about and stress involved.
If you’re soon to be bringing a lawsuit or defending one, or if you’re simply interested in the topic in case you need the information at some point, this article is for you. Here are three lawsuit facts that people often learn too late.
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Three Lawsuit Facts People Learn Too Late – 1. You Might Be Able to File Anonymously
It’s common to assume that if you’re going to file a lawsuit, you’ll have to do so publicly, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Otherwise known as a John Doe/Jane Doe lawsuit, courts sometimes allow people to file under a pseudonym for particularly sensitive cases.
There is a series of rules that govern whether this can or cannot be the case, such as whether the identity of the person presents a high level of risk and whether the plaintiff would be vulnerable to harm should the public know about the case.
You can ask a lawyer about filing anonymously if you want to know more about how this all might apply to you specifically.
Three Lawsuit Facts People Learn Too Late – 2. Deadlines Can Be Extremely Strict
One of the most stressful things to deal with when it comes to managing a lawsuit is the deadlines, which are often much stricter than you might expect them to be.
There are a lot of dates and things you could potentially miss, and a single missed deadline can seriously harm you. For this reason, it’s essential to check and double-check you have the dates right for everything, and set multiple reminders to ensure you’re never at risk of being caught out.
It can also be a good idea to tell someone else the dates so that they can remind you as well.
Three Lawsuit Facts People Learn Too Late – 3. Costs Can Mount Quickly – Especially When it Comes to Discovery
Everyone knows that legal battles are expensive, but most don’t realize the full extent of it. In fact, it’s very difficult to predict just how much a case will cost in the end, and many people simply run out of money.
One element that surprises a lot of people is the cost of discovery, which covers the exchange of key information between parties. This process can take considerably longer than you think and require far more documentation than you first realized, and the longer the process goes on, the more money you’ll need to spend.
Discovery needs to be carefully managed to avoid mounting costs, so if you’ve got a lawsuit coming up, ask your lawyer about it as soon as possible.
Three Lawsuit Facts People Learn Too Late – Wrapping Up
Hopefully, you found the above points both interesting and helpful. There’s a lot to learn when it comes to the law, so keep your wits about you and research as much as you can to ensure you’re as protected as possible. Good luck!