What to expect when you’re expecting a judgement

If your case does not settle or liability is denied, usually a lawsuit is the next step in your case. Understanding the litigation process can answer many of your questions and help you have a better grasp of what is to come in your case.

If your case is filed in a District Court in Maryland, here’s what you can expect from the inception of the lawsuit to the conclusion of the case:

The lawsuit is filed;
The Court will issue a trial date, as well as a summons for the Defendant(s);
The Defendant(s) must be served with all pleadings and papers;
The Defendant(s) are given the opportunity to file an Answer and/or other pleadings;
Limited discovery is performed; and
Trial is held.

You will note that each case is unique, and the above steps are merely a basic outline of the process of a District Court case. For example, after a lawsuit is filed, sometimes the Defendant’s insurance company will make an offer to settle the case and trial is no longer necessary. Additionally, a District Court case will typically conclude faster than a case that is filed in the Circuit Court.

If your case is filed in a Circuit Court in Maryland, here’s what you can expect from the beginning of the lawsuit to its conclusion:

The lawsuit is filed;
The Court will issue a summons for the Defendant(s);
The Defendant(s) must be served with all pleadings and papers;
The Court will issue a Scheduling Order, outlining due dates and deadlines. Depending on the county in which the lawsuit was filed, a trial date may or may not be reserved at this time;
Discovery is performed;
Depositions are taken;
The parties attend mediation;
A pre-trial/settlement conference is attended;
Trial is held.

Again, each case is different and not all of the above bullet points will occur in that sequence, if at all. Circuit Court cases, generally speaking, are more in depth than District Court cases. The discovery that is requested in Circuit Court cases will require the Plaintiff to answer numerous questions and produce several documents to the Defendant.

Understanding the litigation process can help alleviate any stress that you may have regarding your case.

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