If you have been injured by another’s negligence, suffered damages, or another owes you money, you may need to file a Belleville lawsuit. The Kellogg Law Firm has represented clients throughout Missouri and Illinois for many years with results.
Finding help for your Belleville lawsuit
A lawsuit entails many steps and requires a law firm experienced in Belleville lawsuits. Steven E. Kellogg has spent years honing his trial skills and fine tuning his knowledge of law in Belleville. He offers considerable expertise to clients requiring lawsuit assistance.
Steps to filing a lawsuit in Belleville
A Belleville lawsuit begins by filing a complaint and serving the defendant with a summons. The complaint contains a short statement of the remedy requested which may include:
- Monetary damages
- Return of certain property
- Injunctive relief
The defendant has a limited period to answer the complaint. If the defendant fails to answer the complaint, the court can enter a default judgment in your favor. When a default judgment is entered, often you are not required to prove your claim except for the amount of damages requested.
Belleville law states that the defendant may also file a counterclaim, meaning a lawsuit naming you the plaintiff, as at fault in the matter. Additionally, a defendant in a Belleville lawsuit has the option of filing a motion to dismiss your complaint.
Once a lawsuit is filed, both sides pursue discovery—the process of gathering information and evidence about the case. Discovery may include:
- Interrogatories
- Depositions
- Police reports
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- Medical reports
- Financial records
- Witness statements
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Depending on the circumstances of the case, a jury trial or bench trial is held. A bench trial is simply a trial before a judge without a jury. Both sides present evidence and call witnesses to testify. Once all the evidence is presented in your Belleville lawsuit and witnesses have testified, the determination of responsibility ensues.
In jury cases, the jury deliberates and provides a verdict. In a bench trial the judge determines the outcome. In either case, the judgment is based on Bellville laws and determines what relief if any, is awarded. Both parties have a right of appeal if legal errors existed in trial.
Get advice for your Belleville lawsuit
The Kellogg Law Firm has years of experience in Belleville lawsuits. Contact our Belleville lawyers today to schedule a consultation to discuss your lawsuit in Belleville by dialing 618-207-3381 or by filling out this quick contact form.