A civil law case differs from a criminal case in that the latter comes with punishments like fines or jail time. Civil litigation is not resolved through punitive solutions but monetary ones. A defendant found liable in a civil case will be ordered to pay financial damages to the plaintiff. A lawyer’s help can be essential to the civil litigation process, but how can you know when it's time to bring in an attorney? What are some clear indicators you should have a civil litigation attorney looking out for you? The answers to these questions and more are answered below.

3 Ways to Tell If You Need a Civil Litigation Attorney

1. A Law Has Been Broken—But It's Not a Criminal Violation

Criminal laws are fairly well-defined and well-understood. Civil laws can be less so, mainly because civil wrongs often deal with the unspoken "rules" of living together in society, failures to live up to contractual obligations, or are based upon centuries of case law. For instance, each of us has a duty to act responsibly and safely so we don't endanger ourselves, others, or property; if this duty is violated, it could be considered negligent and the victims of such negligence might be entitled to monetary damages. An example: you don't shovel your sidewalk and someone slips and injures themselves on it. You may have breached your duty to act responsibility and safely, and the injured person could conceivably file a civil litigation suit against you.

Another example would be the situation where someone has trespassed onto property belonging to you or your business and caused damage to the property. The victim of such an act may be entitled to financial restitution and the method of obtaining such relief would likely be through filing a civil lawsuit. Alternatively, if someone has filed a lawsuit against you, run and don’t walk to your attorney’s office. Receiving a civil lawsuit starts the clock on important deadlines. In many cases you or your business may have one or many defenses to such a civil action, but if you do not act, you may lose your chance to present them and defend yourself. 

2. You Cannot Get Insurers to Give You the Coverage You Need

Many civil suits involve injured people seeking compensation. Their first stop is usually an insurance company, either their own or the insurer of the party responsible for their injury. But insurance companies often fight an injured person's request for coverage, and this can be a major setback for someone dealing with challenging health issues. If insurers are not willing to cover the costs of your care, consider it a sign you need a civil litigation lawyer.

3. Your Rights Have Been Infringed Upon

We each have the right to live in a safe and civil society. When criminal laws are broken, the damage is clear: someone has been the victim of a crime. But it may not always be so easy to tell if your rights have been violated in a non-criminal matter. If a wrong has been committed against you, and you feel you deserve some type of monetary compensation for the injustice, it's a strong indication a call to a civil lawyer is in order.

W. Randall Holcomb of The Law Office of W. Randall Holcomb is a civil and business lawyer serving the Greensboro, North Carolina, area. Call (336) 888-8760, visit him online, or find him on Facebook or Twitter to discuss your civil case with a skilled professional. Whether negotiating settlements or representing you at trial, Attorney Holcomb will advocate for your rights at every step.