Should You Sue?
While there are many valid reasons to sue someone, there are just as many frivolous reasons to sue that you may want to forego. You’ll have a better chance of winning a lawsuit if there are legitimate reasons for you to take that person to court. If you’ve tried and failed negotiations, mediation, or arbitration as recommended by Moneycrashers.com your only choice may be to sue.
Reasons to Sue
1. Breach of Contract
If a person owes you money or fails to complete an agreed-upon job according to a contract, you may have to file suit against that person. The court can decide if the contract is valid and legally binding and determine the best way to enforce the contract if it is indeed legitimate.
2. Negligence
You may have slipped and fallen on the ice outside of a local shop, been harmed by a doctor’s malpractice, or injured by a defective product. You may file suit against an individual or a business entity.
3. Protection of Property
Many times, you may have to go to court to protect some of your personal property. This is often seen in real estate, such as in property-line disputes. Even if you don’t have real property, you might sue if your car got repossessed even though you paid the bill or if a neighbor refuses to give back your lawnmower. Oftentimes, the protection of your property may go hand in hand with a breach of contract.
4. Copyright Infringement
Intellectual property has developed a blurred line with the advent of the Internet. However, you can still be protected under copyright law if someone copies or sells all or part of your intellectual property, whether it be written, music, or some other form. If you’re uncertain, you can ask a lawyer to help determine if a copyright infringement exists.
5. Recovering Damages
If you’ve been directly injured by another party, such as in a car accident or sporting incident, you may have reasons to sue. If the other party is found liable, they may be held financially responsible for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, time missed from work due to the injury, and more. It’s best to consult with legal counsel on the best way to proceed to recover damages for an injury.
6. Wrongful Termination
If you were released from your job unjustly or without merit, you might be able to file suit against your boss or the company.
Reasons to Hire a Lawyer
Legal counsel can help you to determine if you actually have a case. They will ask you and help you through these questions:
- Are there merits to my lawsuit?
- Does the other party have a legitimate defense?
- Do I have any witnesses?
- Do I have enough evidence?
- Do I have the time and money to pursue legal action?
A lawyer can help you to decide the answers to these questions, find witnesses, build a case and ensure that you meet the deadline to file a suit.