1) I believe that I have been wronged by another individual or entity, what should I do next?

You should contact an attorney promptly. One reason is that you will not run the risk of having your claim barred by the statute of limitations. Also, your recollection of the events is crucial and as time goes by your memory may fade.

2) How do I commence a civil lawsuit in Rhode island?

A civil lawsuit is commenced when a plaintiff serves a Complaint and a Summons upon the defendant. The complaint is the legal document that sets forth the alleged misconduct by the defendant. The summons is the legal document that directs the defendant to appear before
the court.

3) What should I do if I am served with a Summons and Complaint in a Rhode Island lawsuit?

You should seek the advice of a Rhode island attorney immediately. As the summons instructs, you only have twenty (20) days in which to respond to the Complaint. If the 20 days period passes, the defendant will be in default and lose the case. The response to the Complaint is called an Answer. This legal document sets forth the defendants defenses and counterclaims against
the plaintiff.

4) How much will it cost to hire an attorney?

Every lawyer is free to set his own billing method. There are many different types of billing methods: An attorney might choose a contingent fee, where you only pay the attorney if you win the case, or may offer a flat one time fee or may simply bill hourly. Usually the attorney will determine which method is best by the type of litigation in question. Slepkow, Slepkow & Associates never charges any fee in a personal injury case unless successful.

5) How long before the lawsuit will be finished?

It depends. After the pleadings (Complaint and Answer) have been served, there is a discovery process. This is the period when the parties obtain all of the facts of the case. The length of this process depends on the complexity of the case. The overwhelming majority of cases are settled long before trial.