Stratford Civil Litigation Lawyer
Disputes in areas like employment law and negligence may require a lawsuit, negotiations, and potentially going to court to find a resolution. An experienced Stratford civil litigation lawyer can be a big asset in the pursuit of a fair outcome.
Common Issues in Civil Litigation
Civil litigation is a broad field and really refers to any legal dispute that doesn’t involve criminal charges. The outcome of civil litigation typically aims at some sort of compensation, financial or otherwise.
Problems with employment law are common ones. An example might be someone who believes they were discriminated against in the hiring process, in the pursuit of a promotion, or in a termination decision. Harassment can also fall under the broad purview of civil litigation.
Some employment law disputes deal with how certain types of jobs are classified, a decision that can have an impact on salary and benefit levels. Disputes over hours and overtime, and how time is being clocked on the job may be subject to litigation. If it’s a violation of employment law, be it at the state or federal level, our Stratford civil litigation attorney can look into it.
Negligence by either a person or an institution is quite common in civil lawsuits. Negligence refers to the failure to exercise “a reasonable standard of care” in the conduct of one’s affairs. When that negligence results in someone being injured, then there is the basis for legal action.
Examples include the driver of a car speeding or going too fast for conditions and causing an accident. A retail business that doesn’t keep its physical environment safe for customers could be held liable if something goes awry. The injured person can seek out financial damages from the negligent party.
Attorney Thomas E. Brennan has over 20 years helping clients deal with civil litigation. With offices in both Stratford and Trumbull, Tom serves clients throughout Fairfield County and New Haven County. Call us at (203) 806-9065 or reach out here online to set up a consultation.
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How Civil Litigation Works in the State of Connecticut
The first step is for our attorney to take a look into the case. Whether it’s a dispute on the job or something pertaining to negligence, Tom will gather details that can provide a full picture of what happened.
Then a complaint is filed. This marks the initiation of formal legal action. The issue the plaintiff (the damaged party) has must be spelled out very specifically. This is referred to as their cause of action, or the reason for the lawsuit.
Then the plaintiff waits for the defendant to file their answer. This can include anything from a denial of the charges made in the complaint to a request for further information.
If the exchange of complaint and answer do not bring about a resolution, the next step is discovery. This is where each side can request of the other all relevant documents. For example, in a discrimination case, an attorney might seek to get the internal emails of a hiring manager.
The opposing lawyer might seek to deny a discovery request, but so long as the information requested is relevant to the case, discovery is typically allowed to go forward.
A part of all of this is the prayer for relief. It may sound like a spiritual term, but it’s actually how the legal system precisely describes what the plaintiff wants. It may be financial damages, it may be requiring the defendant to take some action (such as re-hiring an unjustly terminated employee) or it may be both.
Throughout this process, the opposing sides can come to an agreement at any time. Most civil litigation cases are resolved in this manner. But when negotiation does not work, litigation becomes necessary, and the case goes to trial.
Experienced legal counsel can make a big difference in a civil litigation case. Contact Attorney Thomas E. Brennan at (203) 806-9065 or fill out our online contact form to arrange a consultation.
A Stratford Civil Litigation Lawyer Who’s Been There Before
Whether your case has to be resolved in court or through intense negotiations, we believe clients are better off when they have Attorney Thomas E. Brennan in their corner. Tom’s 20-plus years of experience have given him an astute understanding of how to investigate a case, what needs to be asked for in discovery and how to handle the legal thrust and parry that is the settlement negotiation process.
Call our office today at (203) 806-9065 or contact us online to set up a consultation.
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Schedule A ConsultationAttorney Thomas E. Brennan has over 20 years of experience in Estate & Probate legal affairs, he is ready to help you.