The Truth About Your Rights When a Civil Lawsuit Is Served on Your Los Angeles Business

Being served with a civil lawsuit against your Los Angeles business doesn’t mean the plaintiff wins. It doesn’t mean the allegations are true. And it certainly doesn’t mean you’re without options. What it does mean is that the civil litigation process has begun, and how you exercise your rights from this point forward will determine the outcome. Understanding those rights — clearly and completely — is the foundation of any effective defense.
Your first and most fundamental right is the right to contest the claims against you. Every defendant in a California civil lawsuit has the right to file a formal response denying the allegations, asserting affirmative defenses, and in appropriate cases, filing cross-complaints against the plaintiff or third parties. This right must be exercised within California’s response deadline — typically 30 days from service — and doing so with the help of an experienced civil defense attorney ensures that every available defense is properly preserved.
You have the right to challenge the legal sufficiency of the complaint. If the plaintiff’s allegations fail to state a valid legal claim under California law, your attorney can file a demurrer in Los Angeles Superior Court asking the judge to dismiss the defective claims. Many meritless lawsuits are eliminated at this stage before any discovery occurs.
You have the right to conduct your own discovery. The discovery process runs in both directions — while the plaintiff can request your documents and depose your witnesses, your civil defense attorney can do the same to them. Aggressive defense-side discovery frequently reveals weaknesses in plaintiff cases, including credibility issues, inconsistent statements, and factual claims that cannot be supported.
You have the right to seek summary judgment. After discovery, if the evidence shows there are no genuine issues of material fact and you are entitled to prevail as a matter of law, your attorney can ask the court to rule in your favor without trial. In Los Angeles courts, this motion succeeds more often than many defendants realize.
Businesses in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Downtown LA, and across Los Angeles County turn to Best Civil Attorneys to exercise these rights aggressively. Contact us today.