Would you like to sue a person or company in the US for damages or obtain injunctive relief? You have obtained a judgment in Germany against a person or company in the US and want to enforce this judgment?!
Perhaps you were seriously injured while on a Caribbean Cruise or in an amusement park or you were involved in a car accident in Florida?!
We represent you before all courts in the State of Florida and with co-counsel before all courts of the United States. We advise you on the right litigation strategy and conduct settlement negotiations. We also handle traffic and accident law cases together with a Personal Injury Lawyer.
Civil Procedure
A civil process in the US is fundamentally different than in Germany. Following the filing for the Complaint, the judge in the United States does not conduct the taking of evidence, but the parties collect the evidence themselves as part of a discovery process. In doing so, the parties can carry out witness dispositions, request to produce documents, and provide written information requests (interrogatories). After the discovery process is completed, the parties will conduct the trial before the jury. All the evidence found is presented during the trial and the lawyers hold the pleadings (final statement). The jury will decide on the outcome of the proceedings, not the judge. For civil lawsuits in Florida and federal courts, the jury basically consists of 6 normal citizens. Jury members do not have or need any legal background. The jury often makes decisions based on instinct and emotions play a big role. Therefore, there are always very high amounts of compensation in the USA. Many Americans owe their prosperity to a successful lawsuit and they sue a lot and often.
Legal Costs
Civil litigation in the US takes a long time and is very costly. Unlike in Germany, it is not the case that the losing party bears the costs of the winning party. In the American civil litigation each party bears these costs, with a few exceptions, always themselves (so called American Rule).
Because of the high costs and the unpredictability of jury decisions, we advise our clients most of the time to make a settlement with the other side. From an economic point of view, this is often the best solution.
Representation in civil cases in the US is always billed by the hour (hourly fee). A fee schedule, as in Germany, does not exist. However, Class Action and Personal Injury Law Suits are often charged on a profit basis only (contingency fee).
Many don’t know that often the costs of accident disputes are covered by the German legal protection insurance. We are listed with the largest German legal protection insurance.
How do I hire a Lawyer in the US?
After commissioning a US law firm, the law firm will usually require a protective fee (retainer). This retainer is not touched during a mandate; the current invoices have to be paid first and only shortly before completion of the work the retainer is charged (so called Evergreen Retainer). Excess amounts will be refunded.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the American Civil Proceedings, would like legal advice about your case, or if you would like to know how to protect yourself against lawsuits in the US.