How Long Does a Civil Lawsuit in California Take?

Many legal disputes result in civil litigation. This can include disputes over injuries, as well as disputes over breach of contract. Employment law cases and defective products claims are also among the many types of cases resolved in civil court. Because lawsuits are filed for so many different reasons, many businesses can expect to become involved in at least some civil litigation, either as the plaintiff or the defendant. While it is best to try to reduce your liability and limit your interaction with the court system, there are times when you need to file a suit to exercise your rights or when you need to defend yourself against litigation filed against you.

When you are involved in litigation as either a plaintiff or a defendant, you likely have many questions. One big concern for many parties to litigation is how long a civil lawsuit in California will take to resolve. The answer to this question is going to vary significantly and depend upon many factors including the complexity of your case and what stage your case gets to in the litigation process before it is finally resolved.

At Brown & Charbonneau, LLP, our experienced SoCal business litigation attorneys have helped many individuals and businesses to move forward towards resolving their cases as quickly and effectively as possible while trying to secure the most favorable verdict possible under the law. If you are involved in litigation as a plaintiff or defendant and you need an experienced attorney representing you, give us a call today for help.

How Long Does A Civil Lawsuit in California Take to Resolve?

A civil lawsuit in California may be resolved through settlement if the parties agree to a resolution that satisfies all parties. The case may also proceed to court and be decided by a judge or a jury. In certain situations, one of the two parties to the case will not be happy with the trial outcome and may appeal the verdict. There are substantial differences in the amount of time it takes to resolve a civil lawsuit in California depending upon whether the case settles, when it settles, and whether it is appealed or not.

Some cases settle within days of a lawsuit being filed, or are even settled before the court paperwork is filed by a plaintiff to take civil action. In other situations, a settlement may be reached just before a jury reaches a verdict or even after a jury has made a decision and an appeal is pending. This means that even a settlement is not necessarily a guarantee that your civil case will be resolved quickly.

Cases tend to be resolved in a more timely matter when the evidence is very clear that either the plaintiff or defendant is likely to prevail, and the other party simply wants to accede to some of the plaintiff’s demands in order to get the case over with. Outside of these situations, other factors that can affect the length of time the case takes to resolve include the different types of evidence; whether an insurance company is involved; the risk tolerance of the plaintiff and defendant; the extent of potential loss or damage; and the willingness of the parties to come to an amicable compromise.

Brown & Charbonneau, LLP can work hard to help you resolve your case as quickly as possible- without compromising the outcome of the case.  Call our SoCal business litigation lawyers today to learn more about how we can assist you. 714-505-3000