As highly trained and experienced legal professionals specializing in investigating and prosecuting non-criminal cases, our civil litigation lawyers will work diligently to ensure your rights are protected and a fair settlement agreement is reached.
If you have been harmed by an individual, corporation, or defective product, you may benefit from consulting with a civil litigation attorney in Chicago. Below, we explain several occasions where this advice is applicable.
A Definition of Civil Litigation
Stated briefly, civil litigation occurs when two or more parties become involved in a legal disagreement that involves seeking monetary compensation or some other compensatory action. It can be related to damages caused in the commission of a crime, but it is not related directly to criminal charges. If an out-of-court settlement proves impossible, the case may then head to trial where a judge or jury will determine the final outcome.
It should be noted that a majority of civil lawsuits are settled by mutual agreement between the parties and never reach the courtroom. Contending parties can also settle during a trial, even after a jury has begun deliberation or reached a verdict. Furthermore, they can settle or “stipulate” to some aspects of the lawsuit, leaving others in the hands of the judge or jury.
That said, if a civil case goes to trial without a settlement before or during the proceedings, the standard of proof in these proceedings is less stringent than for a criminal case. Attorneys in civil cases must meet the preponderance of evidence standard to win their case, meaning they must simply present more convincing evidence to a judge or jury than their opposition. In contrast, in a criminal trial, lawyers must prove their case “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The Range of Civil Litigation
A lawyer specializing in civil litigation is known as a litigator or trial lawyer, and civil litigation involves a wide range of disputes. Some of the more common include:
- Personal injury claims
- Medical malpractice claims
- Landlord/tenant disputes
- Product liability lawsuits
- Class action suits
- Employment and labor disputes
- Intellectual property disputes
- Construction liability lawsuits
- Workers’ compensation claims
- Real estate lawsuits
- Divorce
Given the wide range of civil litigation, not every litigator will be experienced in every type of dispute. Nevertheless, our team at Zimmerman Law has extensive experience representing litigants in many areas of civil law. So whether you are searching for a knowledgeable defective product attorney in Chicago, or you are seeking compensation for harm suffered due to an auto accident, you can trust our nationally recognized legal firm.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations
When it comes to civil litigation, there is a statute of limitation in place in most instances. This is a limitation imposed, requiring civil cases to be filed within a specific period of time from when the damages were incurred.
While this requirement varies from case to case and from state to state, you need to make sure your case is filed within the statute of limitations guidelines. If you file your case after the statute of limitations has expired, the case will be dismissed, no matter how valid it may be.
Illinois’ statute of limitation laws impose a two-year limit for cases involving personal injuries or medical malpractice, five years for injury to a property, and 10 years for written contracts, among others.
When to Seek the Assistance of a Litigation Lawyer
With this background in mind, you can see there are a variety of circumstances where it would be wise to reach out to a civil litigation attorney from Zimmerman Law Offices. Below, we have listed several examples.
The other party in the dispute has sought legal representation – Rest assured that if the other party in your dispute has an attorney, that lawyer will try to take advantage of you. Your lack of legal knowledge will be used against you in an effort to try to make you and your case appear less credible than their client’s case.
The need for legal representation is especially important if you’ve been unable to reach a mutually satisfactory settlement out of court, and you’re now named as a defendant in a lawsuit.
You have suffered a personal injury or are the victim of medical malpractice – These types of cases can be enormously complicated – often dragging on for months, and even years. Among other things, a civil litigation lawyer can help you document your injuries as well as track and record various things like medical bills and loss of income from time missed at work.
Additionally, your attorney will advise you on how much compensation you may be entitled to based on your specific injuries, emotional strain, and predicted future expenses. That information can be vital in preventing you from settling your case for a lesser amount than you deserve.
You have been the victim of fraud – In this situation, you certainly don’t want to go it alone without proper legal representation. When it comes to fraud, Tom Zimmerman is an experienced trial lawyer who represents individuals and businesses alike. If you have been the victim of consumer fraud, billing fraud, and unfair practices, you will want our legal team on your side.
You have been injured by a defective product – In cases like these you may be taking on a corporate giant, and you’ll need the very best legal representation to get the compensation to which you’re entitled. Thomas A. Zimmerman, our firm’s founder, is a veteran trial lawyer and skilled negotiator who has been recognized as one of the “Top Illinois Lawyers Under the Age of 40.” As a Chicago product liability lawyer, he has extensive experience in this field.
If you have been harmed by a defective product, reach out to our expert team to discuss the particulars of your case and the extent of your injuries. In addition to individual claims, Zimmerman Law has extensive experience as a class action lawyer in Chicago – winning millions of dollars in settlements for their clients.
You are a small business owner facing special issues – While small businesses are often on extremely tight budgets, there are specific situations where you should seek legal counsel. This is especially true if the outcome of a case could affect the survival of your business. These include being sued by a current or former partner, charges of sexual harassment or discrimination, investigations by a government entity, environmental compliance, or when you are negotiating to buy or sell a business.
What to Expect
These are just a few of the circumstances in which it would be advisable to seek the advice of an experienced litigation lawyer from Zimmerman Law. We will discuss the specifics of your case and help you determine if our services are the best option for your situation.
The Cost of Legal Representation
At Zimmerman Law, we believe everyone deserves high-quality legal representation regardless of their financial circumstances. We operate on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay us if and when we win your case. Our fee would come in the form of a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount we obtain for you.
If you feel you have been seriously harmed due to another’s negligence or intentional fraud, we urge you to reach out to us as soon as possible to ensure the statute of limitations does not expire. When you are in need of legal representation in any civil litigation matter, schedule a consultation with our law firm today. Let us put our years of experience in personal injury and products liability cases to work for you.
