What You Need To Know About The Discovery Process During A Lawsuit
by Jo Rodriquez
Lawsuits can be long and complicated. There is nothing easy about a lawsuit, which is why many people try to settle the dispute as quickly as possible. After the initial lawsuit has been filed there will be a time for discovery. Discovery is where all of the facts and evidence about the case are put together to give each side an idea of what they are working with.
Here are some things that you need to know about the discovery process:
Depositions
During the discovery process you will most likely be deposed. A deposition is where you will sit down with the lawyer, and in some cases a judge, to give testimony about what happened in the accident. Everything that you say is under oath. This is not just a conversation, if the lawsuit does go to court, they will use what was said in the deposition as testimony.
This is why it is so important that you properly prepare for a deposition so that you ensure that you are giving the facts of the case as you remember them.
During this time it is important that you tell the truth. For example, if you don't remember something, you simply say that you cannot recall. It is better to avoid giving an answer than saying something that you are not sure about.
Before a deposition you should ask your lawyer to prep you. This doesn't mean that they will tell you what to say; instead they will help you know what to do in the case that you don't remember, if you are uncertain or if you are confused.
Interrogations
In most cases, interrogations will also be part of the discovery process. This is where you will give written questions to the other party to answer. Be aware that in many cases there are only a certain number of questions that you can ask, so you need to be sure that you have thought out the questions before hand. This will help you get the most information possible.
Interrogations do not have to be hostile. They can be simple questions, or they can be hard ones. The important thing is that you work with your lawyer before hand to think of the best questions to ask so that the facts of the case can be present truthfully and in your best interest.
These are just a couple ways that discovery will happen during a lawsuit. To learn more, contact a company like Klafter & Mason LLC.
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We all know that lawyers are professionals who help people interpret and work with the law, but do you know how a law firm works from the inside out? I am a professional paralegal, and I have worked in both large and small law firms during my career. I can tell you that a successful law firm needs more than just lawyers to keep it running smoothly, and sometimes things can get really crazy! Take a tour through a law firm in my blog, and find out what really goes on behind the scenes of an active and successful law firm.