Affiliated Attorney Network
Nashville Injury Attorney, Jim Higgins, works with an exclusive national network of experienced trial lawyers. These lawyers have won million dollar verdicts, are experts in their specialized law practices, and are deeply committed to community values and obtaining justice for their clients. Accordingly, when it is necessary, The Higgins Firm will associate with these other nationally recognized lawyers to pursue complex or nationwide litigation. Similarly, other lawyers will often associate The Higgins Firm to help pursue cases that fall into a category that fits one of the firm’s focused areas, such as nursing home neglect cases, wrongful death and trucking accident claims.
How You can Choose a Venue to File a Lawsuit
If you believe you have a valid claim or lawsuit and are ready to take the necessary steps towards recovering monetary compensation, you will first need to determine where to file. As a general rule, a lawyer can help you to determine what venue is right for your case; however, if you would like to educate yourself, you may consider the following.
When you need help in determining where to file your personal injury claim, you can call The Higgins Firm for guidance and advice. If we are unable to help you with your case, we may be able to refer you to one of our affiliated attorneys in our attorney network.
Depending on your case, you may file a claim in a city or county court, or a court that is dedicated to your specific area of the law. For example, some courts, like The Family Court, are designated for family matters.
Understanding the Term Venue
Venue is a legal word that refers to where you can file a claim or lawsuit. Every court, and state, has its own rules to determine which court can hear a case. It is prudent you choose the right venue. If you do not, and you choose the wrong one, that court will not be able to hear your case; therefore, cannot make a ruling. Factors to Consider
Although the rules related to a venue can vary, in general you can file a lawsuit in a district where:
- The defendant lives
- The defendant conducts business
- The injury, accident, illness, or dispute occurred
- The contract was executed
- Main events that lead up to the lawsuit occured
When Multiple Venues are Involved
It is not usual to discover there are venues in more than one court. For example, the accident might have occured in Nashville, but the defendant lives in Knoxville. Or, you live in Knoxville, but slipped and fell in Louisville, KY, and the owner of the premises resides in Atlanta. In general, you have the right to file a lawsuit at any venue that is legally allowed to hear your case. If you feel confused about venues and where to file a claim or lawsuit, it is recommended to talk with a good personal injury lawyer.
At The Higgins Firm, we work with a large number of experienced, qualified lawyers throughout the United States. If you’re living in Tennessee and need help with a claim, regardless of which state the incident occured in, we would encourage you to call our firm for advice.
Considerations
Before you choose the venue, be sure to consider:
- Your proximity to the courthouse
- Whether potential jurors in your chosen area might favor your case, or be in anyway biased
- Whether there is a reputation for your particular venue to be “hostile” towards claims that are similar to your own
Finally, although you may have the right to choose where you want to file a claim or lawsuit, the defendant could transfer the case if they can demonstrate to the judge a good reason to do so.
Do You Need Help with Your Personal Injury Case? Call the Higgins Firm Today!
The Higgins Firm has a network of lawyers who can listen to what happened and help you with your personal injury claim. Call the Higgins Firm to learn more.