Small claims lawsuits are lawsuits where the damages are below some specified threshold, such as $5000. One should seek legal assistance from a law firm; or if one cannot afford this, the state's legal department may be able to help.
At the very least, anyone suing a landlord should educate himself or herself about the forms and process, and asking a lawyer how to do that might be an efficient although expensive method. There are many books and online articles about small claims court. Most small claims courts do not allow any attorney to represent a client in court, but that doesn't mean you can't hire one to help you avoid court or to prepare for court.
In most small claims courts, lawyers are not allowed to represent clients; individuals typically represent themselves. However, some jurisdictions may allow legal representation under certain circumstances or for specific types of cases. It's important to check the rules of your local small claims court to understand their policies regarding legal representation. Even if a lawyer can't represent you, they can provide valuable advice and help you prepare your case.
In Colorado, the maximum amount you can sue for in small claims court is $7,500. Small claims court is a division of County Court. If your claim is between $7,500 and $15,000, the case would likely still be filed in County Court, but not in the small claims division. If your claim is above $15,000, then the claim probably belongs in District Court. Small claims cases cannot be filed in Municipal Court. In Colorado, each county has at least one County and District Court location. Probably a trip to your local county courthouse (NOT municipal court) will help you decide how to file your case. For more information on small claims cases, you can consult the Colorado Small Claims Guide related link, as well as the Colorado Small Claims Local Rules related link, which contain county-specific information on filing a small claims case. For other Colorado self-help legal resources, visit the Colorado Courts Self-Help Guide.
Many websites are available to help one prepare a financial statement for a small business. Such websites include the Small Business Assocation, BizFinance About, and Dummies.
The maximum to sue for in small claims cases in Texas is $10,000, including interest. Small claims cases are generally heard by Justices of the Peace. Justices of the Peace may also hear Justice Court cases, for which the jurisdictional limit is $10,000 exclusive of interest, and other civil suits. For self-help resources in filing a Small Claims case in Texas, visit the Texas Courts Self-Help Resources Guide related link.
In Nevada, small claims cases must be for money only and cannot be for more than $5,000. Small claims cases are generally heard in Justice Courts. For more information on filing a small claims case in Nevada, including forms and guides, visit the Nevada Courts Self-Help Resources related link.
$5000 is the limit for a small claims case in Wisconsin. Most small claims cases are heard in Wisconsin Circuit Courts. For more information on small claims cases in Wisconsin, including forms and guides, visit the Wisconsin Court Self-Help Guide related link.
Small claims courts generally handle civil claims for less than $7500 in CA. There are limitations other than just the dollar amount though, for instance, there are limits on the use of CA small claims courts by businesses and organizations. I found this information on the Court Reference page for CA. Court Reference is a great website to check out for this type of information. If you want to delve further into small claims issues in CA, you can click over to the CR website and select "self help" from the drop down menu, and you will find lots of great location-specific information and links.
These are of public record, so you can contact your local small claims court and ask to fill out a public records request form. An open government advocacy agency, such as the ACLU, likely can help you with this process if you need help.
Yes, you can file a lawsuit for being overworked, but the success of such a lawsuit depends on various factors, including the nature of your employment and the specific circumstances. Claims may arise under labor laws if you can demonstrate violations related to overtime pay, unsafe working conditions, or lack of required breaks. Additionally, if overwork leads to health issues, you might explore claims related to workplace harassment or negligence. Consulting with an employment attorney can help determine the viability of your case.
Check out Lawleaf.com for help with lawsuit financing in your area. They are only available to residents of Texas.
The maximum amount you can sue for in Small Claims court in Texas is $10,000, including interest. Small claims cases are generally heard by Justices of the Peace. Justices of the Peace may also hear Justice Court cases, for which the jurisdictional limit is $10,000 exclusive of interest, and other civil suits. For self-help resources in filing a Small Claims case in Texas, visit the Texas Courts Self-Help Resources Guide related link.