Unfortunately, not all employment relationships end well; some end up at the courthouse. Dallas employment lawyer Keith Clouse explains what happens next.
A lawsuit is typically filed by a former employee, and the defendant company must then answer it within the required timeframe. At that point, the parties will begin the discovery process, whereby each side gathers information about the relevant facts and legal issues. Discovery can take several forms, including written discovery (such as questions to be answered by the other side and written requests for certain categories of documents) and oral and/or videographed depositions. In most employment matters, the parties will depose the former employee, the person who made the decision to discharge the former employee, and other witnesses who may have knowledge of critical facts.
When the discovery period closes, the parties may have gathered sufficient information to assess the case’s worth and to settle the matter. Or, a party (usually the defendant company) may decide to file a motion for summary judgment; if no material facts are in dispute, a judge can rule on a matter without a trial. If the parties do not settle and summary judgment is not granted, the parties will then proceed to trial.
To speak with an employment law attorney about an employment law matter, please contact the employment lawyers at Clouse Dunn Khoshbin LLP at CDKLawyers.com.
