When you have a contract, consumer, labor, or personal injury claim against a company in Manhattan, you may need to file a lawsuit to pursue relief for your losses in court. However, filing a lawsuit against a business involves various steps and court procedures. Retaining a seasoned trial litigation attorney in Manhattan can help you follow the correct steps for initiating a lawsuit against a business or corporation and give you the best chance of success in your case.
Understand the Validity of Your Claim
Filing a lawsuit against a Manhattan business begins with understanding the validity and viability of your legal claim. A litigation attorney can review the facts of your case to determine what causes of action you might have against a company, such as tort or personal injury claims, contract claims, or consumer protection claims. An attorney can also help you determine whether you have “standing” to bring a claim against a Manhattan company, which includes having a direct interest in the litigation and having suffered injury or harm for which a lawsuit can provide you relief, such as monetary compensation or an injunction.
Gather Evidence and Documentation
Before filing a lawsuit against a company in Manhattan, you must gather evidence or documents to help you prove your legal claims against the company. Depending on your causes of action, evidence you might need for your case includes:
- Contracts
- Receipts and invoices
- Emails and letters
- Photos and videos
- Surveillance footage
- Incident reports
- Staffing records
- Repair and maintenance records
- Warranty documents
- Terms of service
An experienced litigation attorney can help you investigate your claims and obtain evidence to prove your case against a Manhattan business.
Hire Legal Representation
Hiring a Manhattan litigation attorney can make filing a lawsuit against a company less stressful. An attorney will know the local rules and procedures applicable to filing lawsuits in courts in Manhattan. Litigation attorneys will also have developed relationships with court staff, which can help ensure that your case moves through the legal process. A lawyer can take the burdens of pursuing a legal case off your shoulders, including communicating or negotiating with a company’s officials or legal counsel. An experienced litigator can review the answer and other responsive pleadings filed by the company you’ve sued to understand their defenses against your claims. This can help you build compelling arguments to refute those defenses and seek a favorable outcome to your lawsuit.
File and Serve the Complaint
Finally, filing a lawsuit against a company in Manhattan involves filing your complaint with the appropriate Manhattan court. Different courts have jurisdiction to hear various types of cases. A litigation attorney can help you file your case in the correct court, which can avoid delaying your case due to dismissal for lack of jurisdiction.
Once you’ve filed your complaint in court, you must serve a copy of the complaint and the court summons on the company you’ve sued. Conducting service of process against a corporation typically involves serving the company against the company’s agent for service of process; many businesses have registered agents that accept service of process on behalf of companies. However, in some cases, you may ask the company to waive the service of process or to accept service through the company’s legal counsel, avoiding the time and expense of hiring a process service.
An Attorney from Levy Goldenberg LLP Can Help You Pursue Legal Claims Against a Company in Manhattan
When you have legal claims against a business in Manhattan, retaining an experienced litigation attorney can give you the best chance of success in your case. Contact Levy Goldenberg LLP today for an initial consultation with a knowledgeable Manhattan litigation attorney to discuss your legal rights and options and what to expect when filing your lawsuit.