An attorney cannot realistically tell whether you have a "good" case or viable claim without talking with you, looking at the relevant documents and ascertaining the law that applies to your claim.  Maryland law imposes deadlines / statutes of limitation for filing a case, so sometimes even if you have a viable claim you might not be able to pursue it if you wait too long. Most cases must be filed within three years, but some times of claims require that notice be filed in a much shorter time frame.

 

Arden Law Firm offers a no-cost initial phone consult of up to 10 minutes by calling (410)216-7000 (Phones answered 8AM - 7PM Monday - Friday; 10am-1pm is the preferred time to reach an attorney for a phone consult) CALLING THE FIRM DOES NOT GUARANTEE REPRESENTATION OR MAKE YOU A CLIENT.

 (The firm does not handle divorce or criminal cases.  Potential clients needing representation in divorce or criminal matters may wish to call a local Lawyer Referral Service, such as the Lawyer Referral Service for Anne Arundel County at 410-280-6961).

 

 

The firm also represents defendants who are threatened with lawsuits in real estate, business, civil or technology matters.  Few people enjoy being sued but Arden Law Firm helps defendants analyze and address threatened claims.   Because most Circuit Court cases require a formal response within 30 days of service (state District Court cases have a shorter time frame) it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after being served with summons.

 

 

A plaintiff must prove their case by the applicable "standard of proof."  In civil matters, this is a lower threshold than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" measure that applies in criminal cases. 

 

Civil Terminology in Maryland Court Cases:

 

• Answer -- The defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint. 
  
• Complaint -- The plaintiff's first pleading that starts a case and outlines the core factual and legal allegations.
  
• Counter-Claim --- A defendant's claims filed against the person(s) who originally sued.
• Cross-Claim ---  A defendant's claims filed against other defendant(s).  
• Demand Letter - A written request by a plaintiff seeking money or other relief outside of court.
• Discovery -- The formal process of gathering information from the other side in a court case.
• Interrogatories -- Written questions that must be answered under oath.  
• Mediation --- A process where parties discuss claims in front of a neutral third party mediator in an attempt to resolve the conflict outside of court.  Mediators are often licensed attorneys.  
• Merit Trial -- A trial (particularly in District Court) that will involve deciding the case on the evidence (rather than on a procedural issue).  
  
• Motion -- A request to the Court, usually in writing.  
• Motion for Summary Judgment - A request that the Court dispose of some or all of the case based on how the law applies to undisputed facts.  
• Request for Production of Documents -- A formal request for another party to turn over documents or make them available for inspection and copying.  
• Scheduling Order -- The court's list of required timelines in a particular case.
• Subpoena - A court order requiring someone to give testimony or produce documents.  
• Summons - A court order "summoning" a person to court / requiring that they Answer a lawsuit filed against them.

DEADLINES TO FILE --  Some matters require notice within a 90, 120 or 180 day timeframe (such as notice of a mechanics lien).   Generally for most civil claims the law imposes a three year statute of limitations so that suit must be filed within 3 years of the date the injury/occurrence happened or it will forever be time barred.   However there are exceptions to this rule and some statute based claims must be filed within 1 year.   Because you may loose valuable legal rights with the passage of time it is highly recommended to talk to an attorney as soon as possible after something happens that might give rise to a lawsuit.