Pennsylvania Claims Process - Walker Morgan LLC
Pennsylvania Claims Process
PA
Pennsylvania Courts with Jurisdiction Over Civil Matters Municipal and Magisterial District Courts Have limited jurisdiction, including civil matters with an amount in controversy of up to $12,000. Courts of Common Pleas The primary trail courts of general jurisdiction; hear civil cases with an amount in controversy over $7,000. Superior Court Generally handles appeals of final decisions of the courts of common pleas, including civil matters. Supreme Court of Pennsylvania The highest court in the Commonwealth; hears requests for discretionary appeals from the Superior Court.
$12,000 $7,000 Municipal and Magisterial District Courts
Courts of Common Pleas
Superior Court
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
generally handles
hears requests for
appeals of final decisions of the
discretionary appeals from the Superior
courts of common
Court
pleas
Pleadings In the beginning stages of a lawsuit, legal documents called pleadings are filed. To initiate the suit, the plaintiff files a Complaint which sets forth cause(s) of action against named Defendant(s). After the Plaintiff files the Complaint and properly serves the Complaint on the Defendant(s), the Defendant(s) then have 20 days to file an Answer. The Defendant(s)' Answer will respond to each of the causes of action in the Complaint and set forth any defenses, cross claims and/or counter claims.
Discovery
After the parties file all necessary pleadings, the discovery process will begin. This can include any of the following:
Interrogatories Formal questions and/or requests for information served on one party by and opposing party. The party served with interrogatories must provide written responses or respond with an objection.
Requests for Production of Documents Formal requests for certain documentation relevant to the claims and defenses.
Trial
Depositions Either a party or a non-party witness will provide oral testimony under oath in the presence of a court reporter.
Trials can take from 1 Day
If the parties have not reached a settlement, at the conclusion of discovery, the case then proceeds to trial. Depending on the complexity, a trial can take as little as a single day or as long as several weeks. At the conclusion of a typical civil trial, the jury will return a verdict for the plaintiff and award money damages or the jury will return a verdict finding that the defendant was not at fault.
to 2 Weeks
Motions and Appeals After the jury returns their verdict, the parties may file post trial motions and/or appeal the verdict to the appropriate appellate court in Pennsylvania.
(800) 922-8411 (803) 359-6194
http://www.walkermorgan.com
Copyright © Walker Morgan, LLC
PA
Pennsylvania Courts with Jurisdiction Over Civil Matters Municipal and Magisterial District Courts Have limited jurisdiction, including civil matters with an amount in controversy of up to $12,000. Courts of Common Pleas The primary trail courts of general jurisdiction; hear civil cases with an amount in controversy over $7,000. Superior Court Generally handles appeals of final decisions of the courts of common pleas, including civil matters. Supreme Court of Pennsylvania The highest court in the Commonwealth; hears requests for discretionary appeals from the Superior Court.
$12,000 $7,000 Municipal and Magisterial District Courts
Courts of Common Pleas
Superior Court
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
generally handles
hears requests for
appeals of final decisions of the
discretionary appeals from the Superior
courts of common
Court
pleas
Pleadings In the beginning stages of a lawsuit, legal documents called pleadings are filed. To initiate the suit, the plaintiff files a Complaint which sets forth cause(s) of action against named Defendant(s). After the Plaintiff files the Complaint and properly serves the Complaint on the Defendant(s), the Defendant(s) then have 20 days to file an Answer. The Defendant(s)' Answer will respond to each of the causes of action in the Complaint and set forth any defenses, cross claims and/or counter claims.
Discovery
After the parties file all necessary pleadings, the discovery process will begin. This can include any of the following:
Interrogatories Formal questions and/or requests for information served on one party by and opposing party. The party served with interrogatories must provide written responses or respond with an objection.
Requests for Production of Documents Formal requests for certain documentation relevant to the claims and defenses.
Trial
Depositions Either a party or a non-party witness will provide oral testimony under oath in the presence of a court reporter.
Trials can take from 1 Day
If the parties have not reached a settlement, at the conclusion of discovery, the case then proceeds to trial. Depending on the complexity, a trial can take as little as a single day or as long as several weeks. At the conclusion of a typical civil trial, the jury will return a verdict for the plaintiff and award money damages or the jury will return a verdict finding that the defendant was not at fault.
to 2 Weeks
Motions and Appeals After the jury returns their verdict, the parties may file post trial motions and/or appeal the verdict to the appropriate appellate court in Pennsylvania.
(800) 922-8411 (803) 359-6194
http://www.walkermorgan.com
Copyright © Walker Morgan, LLC
