General Civil Litigation
Not every legal dispute fits neatly into a single category. Beyond our specialized practice areas in civil rights, personal injury, and business law, our firm represents individuals who have suffered harm due to the wrongful conduct of others — whether that harm was caused intentionally, through carelessness, or by a dangerous condition or product. These types of civil claims are collectively known as "torts," which is simply the legal term for a civil wrong that causes someone harm and gives the injured person the right to seek compensation.
At Justly Prudent, our general civil litigation practice handles cases that span a wide range of legal issues. Whether you have been harmed by a negligent professional, a dishonest business partner, a defamatory statement, an invasion of your privacy, or any other wrongful act, our attorneys will evaluate your situation, explain your options in clear terms, and pursue the best course of action to protect your rights and recover the compensation you deserve. We serve clients in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Florida, and Massachusetts.
Contact us to discuss your specific situation and legal needs.
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General Civil Litigation Practice Areas
Negligence
Negligence is the most common basis for civil lawsuits in the United States. A negligence claim arises when one person or entity fails to exercise the level of care that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances, and that failure causes harm to another person. To succeed in a negligence claim, the injured person must generally prove four things: that the other party owed them a duty of care, that the other party breached that duty, that the breach caused the injury, and that the injury resulted in actual damages. Our attorneys represent individuals who have been harmed by the negligent conduct of others and work to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. Contact us to discuss your specific legal situation.
Intentional Wrongs (or Torts)
Unlike negligence, which involves carelessness, intentional torts involve harmful actions that the wrongdoer carried out on purpose. Common intentional torts include assault and battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, conversion (the wrongful taking or destruction of someone's property), and trespass. Because these harms are committed deliberately, courts may award additional damages known as punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and discourage others from engaging in similar conduct. We represent individuals who have been deliberately harmed by the intentional actions of others. Contact us to discuss your specific situation and legal needs.
Defamation
Defamation is the act of making a false statement about a person that is communicated to others and that damages the person's reputation. Defamation that is spoken is called slander, and defamation that is written or published is called libel. To succeed in a defamation claim, the injured person generally must prove that the statement was false, that it was communicated to at least one other person, that the person who made the statement was at fault, and that the statement caused damage to the injured person's reputation or livelihood. The deadline to file a defamation lawsuit is relatively short—usually 1 year from the date of the defamatory statement—so it is important to speak with a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible. Our firm represents individuals who have been harmed by false statements, and we work to recover compensation for the damage to their reputation and any financial losses they have suffered. Contact us to discuss your specific situation involving defamation.
Fraud & Misrepresentation
Fraud occurs when one person intentionally makes a false statement of fact, knowing it is false, with the intent to deceive another person, and the other person relies on that false statement and suffers harm as a result. Misrepresentation is similar but may not always involve intentional deception — negligent misrepresentation occurs when a person carelessly makes a false statement without verifying its accuracy. Fraud and misrepresentation claims arise frequently in business transactions, real estate deals, investment relationships, and consumer transactions. Our attorneys represent individuals who have been deceived by false or misleading statements and work to recover compensation for the financial and other harm they have suffered. Contact us to speak with a knowledgeable legal representative about your situation involving fraud or misrepresentation.
Tortious Interference
Tortious interference occurs when a person or company intentionally disrupts another person's business relationships or contractual agreements. There are two main types: tortious interference with a contract, which involves intentionally causing one party to breach an existing contract, and tortious interference with business expectancy, which involves intentionally disrupting a prospective business relationship that has not yet been formalized in a contract. These claims often arise in competitive business environments and can result in significant financial losses for the party whose relationships were disrupted. Our attorneys represent individuals and businesses that have been harmed by the intentional interference of others. Contact us today to discuss your specific situation and legal needs.
Invasion of Privacy
Every person has a right to a reasonable degree of privacy in their personal life. Invasion of privacy claims can take several forms, including the unreasonable intrusion into someone's private affairs, the public disclosure of private facts, placing someone in a false light in the public eye, and the unauthorized use of a person's name or likeness for commercial purposes. With the growth of digital technology and social media, invasion of privacy claims have become increasingly common and complex. Our firm represents individuals whose privacy has been violated and works to hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact us today to discuss your specific real estate dispute or legal issue.
Wrongful Death
When a person dies as a result of another person's or company's wrongful conduct (whether through negligence, an intentional act, or strict liability), the surviving family members may have the right to bring a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death claims can provide compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost income and benefits, loss of companionship and consortium, and the pain and suffering the deceased experienced before their death. Each state has its own wrongful death statute that determines who may bring a claim, what damages are available, and the applicable filing deadline. We assist families who have lost loved ones, and we work to hold responsible parties accountable. Contact us today to discuss your specific situation.