If you’ve been wronged by another party, pursuing a civil litigation claim in court can help you seek financial compensation for your damages. Civil litigation encompasses any legal dispute in which one or more parties are pursuing monetary damages or specific performance from another party or parties. Although many civil litigation cases are settled out of court, some proceed to trial.
Whether you’re considering pursuing civil litigation to recover damages or you’ve been notified that you’re on the receiving end of a lawsuit, speaking to a skilled attorney is important. The Pittsburgh attorneys at Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace LLP are prepared to carefully review your case, help you understand your potential options, and make informed decisions about how to proceed. We have successfully represented clients in a wide range of industries in various types of civil litigation claims.
What Is Civil Litigation?
Civil litigation is a legal process involving disputes between two or more parties that aren’t based on criminal actions. In a civil lawsuit, one party, called the plaintiff, seeks compensation or another type of remedy from another, called the defendant. Many civil disputes are resolved or settled before ligation begins.
Both parties usually attempt to negotiate a settlement through negotiation on behalf of their attorneys. When a civil dispute cannot be resolved, a court will hear evidence during a trial and issue a ruling. Civil cases can involve an individual, a business, or a government entity.
Common Types of Civil Litigation Cases
As civil litigation encompasses virtually all non-criminal legal cases, the category of civil litigation is broad, and the types of cases are diverse. At Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace LLP, our experienced attorneys have represented clients in a wide range of cases, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Antitrust litigation
- Civil rights
- Personal injury claims
- Product liability suits
- Corporate matters
- Employment issues
- Real estate litigation
- Administrative law hearings
- Business litigation
- Breach of contract
- Breach of lease agreement
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Employment contract disputes
- Contested estates
- Civil rights claims
- Partnership disputes
- Probate litigation
- Professional license issues
- Commercial real estate litigation
- Shareholder disputes and partner rights
- Zoning and land development
Commercial Litigation Attorneys in Pittsburgh
Unlike other types of civil litigation, commercial litigation focuses on legal issues between individuals and businesses or between two businesses. Commercial business disputes can arise from within the business, such as when a shareholder or partner brings a lawsuit against the business with which they associate or through a partner dispute.Â
One of the most common types of commercial litigation includes disputes and breach of contract. Breach of contract claims can involve business partners, employers and employees, and vendors and customers. Intellectual property disputes involving copyright, patent, and trademark violations are also commonly litigated. Other types of commercial litigation cases include defamation, including slander and libel.
Civil Litigation Regarding Breach of Contract
Contracts are an important part of everyday life. Businesses and individuals rely on others to uphold their obligations under their contacts. When a party fails to follow through with their contractual obligations, the other party to the contract can suffer significant financial damages. Understandably, civil litigation related to contracts arises frequently.
Every contract is unique and contains specific provisions that need to be explained closely. If you’re a business or individual and you have suffered damages due to a breach of contract or you anticipate suffering damages in the future, you’ll benefit from speaking to an attorney as soon as possible.
Suppose you’ve suffered damages because of a breach of contract. In that case, you will need to prove a valid contract existed, a material breach of contract occurred, and you suffered financial damages because of the breach of contract. If one party breaches a contract, the non-breaching party can pursue several types of damages, including compensatory damages intended to “make the plaintiff whole.” Plaintiffs can also pursue liquidated damages, restitution, specific performance, and attorneys’ fees and costs.
Class Action Litigation
Individuals, small businesses, and unions can pursue class action lawsuits when they’ve suffered similar injuries from the same defendant. The civil litigation team at Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace LLP has extensive experience representing clients in class action lawsuits.Â
Defective products, such as dangerous medical implants or defective vehicle components, are frequently litigated as class action lawsuits. Other types of class action lawsuits include securities class actions brought on behalf of investors and employment class action lawsuits brought on behalf of employees.
The Standard of Proof in Civil Litigation
The standard of proof is not as strict in civil litigation as in criminal litigation. In criminal cases, state or federal prosecutors must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, a difficult standard to meet.
In civil litigation, the party that succeeds is the one that presents more convincing evidence than the other party. At Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace LLP, we carefully evaluate cases to ensure we develop the best strategy possible to gather evidence proving our claims at court. We will pursue the best possible outcome for our clients.
Skillfully Representing Clients in Civil Litigation Lawsuits in Pittsburgh
The attorneys at Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace LLP understand what it takes to succeed in civil litigation cases. We also understand that many clients understandably seek to avoid the expense and time involved in litigation. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who work diligently to pursue a favorable settlement agreement to avoid litigation.
However, sometimes litigation is unavoidable. We will make the civil litigation process as easy as possible by providing you with honey, experienced legal counsel considering the merits of your case while effectively communicating with you and keeping you informed of all significant developments.
Discuss Your Civil Litigation Case with an Experienced Attorney
The civil litigation attorney at Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace LLP helps clients resolve various civil disputes in state and federal court. Our trial-ready attorneys are prepared to develop an effective litigation strategy and represent your interests in court. Contact Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace LLP to schedule a case evaluation.