3 Lawsuits You Might Face in Your Lifetime
August 20, 2018Most people want to live peacefully without bothering those around them. However, it’s not always possible to avoid that, and if you’re not careful, you could find yourself as a defendant in a lawsuit.
If you’re ever sued or have charges placed against you, it can be pretty frightening. You might not know anyone who has been through this before, and it can be confusing. It’s critical to get a great attorney who will fight for you and your case.
It’s also important to be prepared and avoid actions that could make you the victim of a lawsuit. Oftentimes, lawsuits come about because of the ignorance of the defendant. To prepare yourself, read about three lawsuits that might happen to anyone.
- Rental Contract Disputes
When renting a property, a tenant and landlord sign a lease agreement. This document is binding, so if the tenant or landlord does not keep their end of the deal, they can be taken to court. Whether you’re a tenant or a landlord, rental contract disputes are no joke. They can also take some time to resolve.
A tenant may sue a landlord for simple things like:
- Raising rent without just cause
- Discrimination
- Illegally withholding a security deposit
- Being injured on the premises
- Failing to reimburse you for repairs
- Violating your privacy beyond the terms of the lease agreement
- Failing to respond to valid tenant complaints.
Landlords should take note and be smart about keeping their end of the deal. On the other hand, a landlord has grounds to sue a tenant for things like:
- Bringing a pet onto the property when they’re not allowed
- Failing to pay rent
- Recovering money owed for damages
- Intentionally damaging property
If you’re a tenant, you should recognize the importance of making smart choices in your rental to avoid problems. If you’re a landlord, tenant screening services can save you a lot of stress. It can mean the difference between a drawn-out lawsuit and having your rent paid on time every month.
- Criminal Charges
One of the most serious lawsuits is a criminal charge. If you’re found guilty, you’ll be expected to pay a fine at the end or even serve time in county jail or federal prison. You’ll need a local attorney to plead your case, like a Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer who can get you through this difficult journey.
Keep in mind that the term criminal charge covers more than serious crimes like murder. A DUI, petty theft, drug possession, tax evasion, pirating music and movies, taking prescription pills that don’t belong to you, loitering, siphoning gas, protesting without a permit, and other minor offenses also fall into the criminal charges category. As you can see from this list, a criminal charge could sneak up on you, even if you didn’t mean to do it.
Most people in their right minds wouldn’t dream of committing a crime; however, when you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you might let your moral compass slide a little. It’s vital that you avoid drugs and drink responsibly. Surrounding yourself with good friends will also help you stay on the straight and narrow.
- Personal Injury
You hope that you or someone close to you will never be seriously injured, but it can happen. If you were hurt on another person’s property, and the cause of the accident was based on negligence, you have grounds for a personal injury case.
You’ll need a good attorney and as much proof as you can muster. Photographs and eyewitnesses are best. Depending on the situation, it could be settled out of court or turn into a long court proceeding.
On the flipside, if you have hazards on your property that you’ve been ignoring, someone could get hurt and blame you for the injury. Keep your eyes open to potential liabilities on your property to protect yourself and others. The same can happen if you cause a car accident.
Lawsuits are there to protect people, but you don’t want to be on the receiving end of them. Always be wary of your actions, and make good choices to avoid court proceedings.