Summary
- The average cost of a civil lawsuit depends on your location
- Some components that go into the cost include lawyer fees and filing fees
- Consider discussing the costs and benefits of a lawsuit with a lawyer
How Much Does It Cost to Sue Someone?
The first reaction people often have after suffering a legal wrong is to consider a lawsuit. However, the option to use litigation should not be taken lightly. Filing a lawsuit can be costly in time, money, and effort. You must be sure that the benefits you expect from the lawsuit will outweigh its costs.
Under the American Rule, each party bears its own litigation expenses. Thus, you will only get reimbursed by the losing party for your legal fees and costs in very narrow situations. Most of the time, whatever you spend on your lawsuit will fall on your shoulders whether you win or lose.
Additionally, you must weigh your likelihood of success. Even if you have a reasonably good chance of succeeding, you could still lose and bear the litigation costs with no award to pay for it.
How much does it cost to sue someone? The answer is highly dependent on your location. Some components that go into answering “How much does it cost to file a lawsuit?” include the following:
Attorney Fees
How much does a lawyer cost to sue someone? Millions of attorneys practice law in the U.S., and the attorney fees they charge vary widely by state and even by county.
A survey by the American Bar Association shows that about half of all litigation lawyers in Washington D.C. charge between $700 and $950 per hour. This is significantly more than the legal fees in most other cities, including large, expensive metro areas like Los Angeles and New York City.
Thus, just having a lawyer investigate the claims and write a complaint to start a lawsuit could cost thousands of dollars, depending on the nature of the claim. For example, if you’re looking at the average cost of a lawsuit, complex areas of law like patent infringement and antitrust claims are more expensive than common fields like contract law or real estate law.
Court Filing Fees
How much does it cost to file a civil suit? Court costs also vary widely. The filing fees in some states might hover around $100, while other states might charge several hundred dollars for filing a complaint.
Some states also charge a fee for the defendant’s answer, while others allow the defendant to answer for free. Still others charge a fee when the answer contains a counterclaim against the plaintiff.
Is It Expensive to Sue Someone?
Filing the lawsuit is only the start of the costs you could face in a lawsuit. You will incur costs during the lawsuit. How much does it cost to sue someone without a lawyer? Even if you do not incur any legal fees, you will still have litigation expenses.
Litigation expenses cover the hard costs incurred during the case. Some examples of litigation costs include the following:
Expert Witness Fees
Expert witnesses can analyze evidence and render opinions. In court, an expert witness can provide testimony about subjects they did not witness but instead determined using their knowledge, skill, or experience. Some examples of experts you might need for your case include the following:
- Accident reconstruction experts
- Forensic accounting experts
- Medical experts
These experts help the jury understand what might have occurred according to a rigorous analysis of the facts. Thus, a damages expert might explain how a plaintiff’s disability will affect their ability to earn a living over their remaining lifetime.
Deposition Expenses
One of the early stages in a lawsuit is called discovery. During discovery, the parties exchange evidence that they plan to use in their case. This process minimizes surprises and ensures that the case is fully litigated.
A tool often used in discovery is a deposition. In a deposition, a witness gives sworn testimony on the record. The deposition gives both parties a preview of what the witness will say in court if called to testify.
Depositions can be expensive. Since the deposition is conducted on the record, the party scheduling the deposition must hire a court reporter to tape the deposition and create a transcript.
Additional Costs
Depending on the type of case and the issues involved, you might incur additional costs. If you have to file your case in a different state, you might incur travel expenses for you and your lawyer.
You could incur storage and copying fees if you have a document-intensive case. For example, business litigations can produce hundreds or even thousands of boxes of documents that must be cataloged, stored, and copied during the case.
Contact ConsumerShield to Discuss the Average Cost to Sue Someone
While lawsuits are often expensive, they may be necessary. ConsumerShield is dedicated to helping people understand and protect their legal rights. Contact us for a free case evaluation to discuss your case and a referral to a lawyer who can help you understand your potential costs.
