Lawsuits, Courts & Mediation

When people have disputes that need to be settled, they can seek a decision from a court (by filing a lawsuit) or from another party outside of the court system (such as an arbitrator or mediator.)

The term “litigation” means to contest or engage someone in a lawsuit. A civil action is a lawsuit brought by an injured party (the “plaintiff”) who claims to have suffered damages as a result of the wrongful actions of another party (the “defendant.”) Litigation allows for each party to obtain more evidence about their case (discovery and interrogatories), call witnesses to testify and argue the merits of their case. A judge or jury will render a verdict after both sides present their case. The U.S. court system consists primarily of federal courts (making decisions concerning federal law and disputes between residents of different states), state courts, city and municipal courts, appeals courts and courts of special jurisdiction. Small Claims Court is used mostly by consumers to settle small disputes. It is locally accessible, more informal and less costly than most civil courts which usually suggest the need for a lawyer. Arbitration and mediation are alternative forms of resolving legal disputes outside of the court system which are usually less costly, more informal and move more quickly to a conclusion.

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Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
15,241
The Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a Pennsylvania state court to...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
6,113
The North Dakota Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a North Dakota state court to...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
9,314
The South Dakota Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a South Dakota state court to...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
10,779
The South Carolina Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a South Carolina state court to...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
16,133
The North Carolina Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a North Carolina state court to...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
16,351
The New Mexico Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a New Mexico state court to litigate...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
10,136
The New Hampshire Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a New Hampshire state court to...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
7,895
The Nevada Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a Nevada state court to litigate that...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
7,178
The Nebraska Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a Nebraska state court to litigate that...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
6,986
The Montana Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a Montana state court to litigate that...
Michael Wechsler
4 min read
Views
17,270
The Missouri Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a Missouri state court to litigate that...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
10,096
The Mississippi Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a Mississippi state court to litigate...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
7,252
The Maine Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a Maine state court to litigate that...
Michael Wechsler
Updated
3 min read
Views
15,715
The Delaware Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a Delaware state court to litigate that...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
13,659
The Louisiana Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a Louisiana state court to litigate...
Michael Wechsler
Updated
3 min read
Views
8,653
The Minnesota Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a Minnesota state court to litigate...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
7,790
The Hawaii Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a Hawaii state court to litigate that...
Michael Wechsler
4 min read
Views
14,534
The Michigan Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a Michigan state court to litigate that...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
9,915
The Kansas Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a Kansas state court to litigate that...
Michael Wechsler
3 min read
Views
8,851
The Kentucky Statute of Limitations for civil actions sets a time limit after an injury or civil wrong occurs, during which an injured party can file a lawsuit. After that period of time expires, the injured party is no longer permitted to file a claim in a Kentucky state court to litigate that...
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