Understandably, victims may be concerned about the cost of filing a civil lawsuit in Maryland. With so many court fees involved, it is hard for plaintiffs to handle independently. Maryland plaintiffs can certainly benefit from hiring an attorney to manage court fees and reduce stress during a civil lawsuit.
There are many fees associated with filing a civil lawsuit in Maryland. These fees vary in cost, and plaintiffs must keep track of numerous payment schedules, which can become overwhelming. Missing one can have a negative impact on your civil lawsuit. By hiring an attorney, plaintiffs no longer have to worry about making timely payments or paying the necessary fees. When your lawyer works on a contingency fee basis, you will not have to concern yourself with legal fees until you recover the compensatory damages you deserve.
For a free case evaluation with the Maryland personal injury lawyers at Rice Law, call us today at (410) 694-7291.
What Are the Costs Associated with Filing a Civil Lawsuit in Maryland?
In your effort to recover compensatory damages against a negligent party, you will have to pay fees for certain actions throughout court proceedings. Keeping track of fees and schedules can be overwhelming, which is why hiring a Baltimore personal injury attorney is beneficial.
Initial Filing Fee
Maryland plaintiffs may have to pay a $185 filing fee for docketing a civil lawsuit with an attorney, and $165 for doing so without representation. There may be additional fees for other related actions, such as filing a notice with a court in another state. This can become confusing quickly, as there are multiple initial filing fees that a victim may be responsible for, which they may not be aware of.
In some cases, we can request that the filing fee be paid later out of your winnings instead of having to pay it upfront.
Dismissal Fee
For voluntary dismissals of a civil lawsuit in Maryland, plaintiffs may be required to pay a $15 fee. Although it is unlikely that this fee will apply to your case, it is yet another example of the various fees plaintiffs may be responsible for during civil proceedings in Maryland.
Recording Fee
If Maryland victims want access to court recordings or other related recordings, they will have to pay a $15 fee. While getting access to such recordings can benefit your case, you may be unaware of the associated fees and have difficulty obtaining them without an attorney.
Copies Fee
Copies of general court documents cost $0.50 per page, although certified copies may incur an additional $5. Maryland victims can also request copies of other court documents or papers, which vary in cost.
Post-Judgement Fees
For any docketing of post-judgment occurrences, a $31 fee may apply. This fee can apply to various post-judgment orders or requests, which our Aberdeen personal injury attorneys can help you understand.
Appeals, Removals, and Transfers Fees
There is also a $60 fee for filing an appeal with the Court of Appeals and a $60 fee for transferring a case to another Maryland court.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Injury Lawyer on a Contingency Fee Basis?
If you are already struggling with medical bills and lost wages after an incident, you may be less inclined to take on additional expenses. Our attorneys understand the financial stress a civil lawsuit in Maryland can cause for victims, which is why our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.
Contingency fees enable plaintiffs to get the necessary legal representation without incurring immediate costs. Instead of charging upfront fees that many clients cannot afford because of the financial impact of their injuries, our lawyers do not make a cent until you do.
That means you will not have to worry about legal fees until you recover compensatory damages for your injuries. With this in mind, victims can file a civil lawsuit against a negligent party without assuming financial risk.
How Much Do Service of Process Fees Cost for Civil Lawsuits??
When you file a lawsuit, the defendant must be “served” and formally notified of the case. It’s the plaintiff’s responsibility to serve the defendant, and there may be an additional cost involved in this process.
Service by Sheriff or Constable
County sheriffs can serve defendants on behalf of plaintiffs in Maryland, and the fee ranges from $40 to $60 per defendant.
Service by Private Process
There are private companies that will serve a defendant on your behalf for a fee. Costs range from company to company. Anyone over 18 who is not a party to the lawsuit may also serve the defendant. Note that you cannot serve the defendant yourself to avoid a fee.
Service by Certified Mail
Defendants may also be served through certified mail, which may be the least expensive option of all. Keep in mind that the adult over 18 sending the documents through certified mail may not be anyone related to the case, including yourself.
When Do You Have to Pay Court Fees for a Maryland Civil Lawsuit?
Generally, a Maryland court will not keep track of outstanding fees and allow victims to settle up at the end of a civil lawsuit. Plaintiffs will be required to pay fees in advance unless an exception is expressly permitted. Keeping track of payments to the court and paying on time is difficult for victims to do independently, so hiring a Maryland personal injury attorney is ideal.
While there are a few exceptions to the prepayment of court fees in Maryland, plaintiffs are typically required to pay in advance. It can be difficult for victims to maintain payments as required, especially when dealing with injuries and associated costs.
What if You Don’t Pay Court Fees for a Civil Lawsuit?
Missing a required payment can negatively affect your case, potentially jeopardizing your access to compensatory damages in Maryland.
If you don’t pay court fees, the judge may dismiss your case. Allow our experienced attorneys to manage court fees and their corresponding payment schedules to avoid any missteps throughout a trial.
How to File Your Civil Lawsuit in Maryland
In addition to paying filing fees to initiate your lawsuit, you must also file the case properly and include all mandatory information.
Prepare Complaint
First, our attorneys can prepare the complaint we file to initiate the lawsuit. The complaint lists the plaintiff’s information, the defendant’s information, the facts of the case, and explains the plaintiff’s “cause of action.” This is why they are filing a lawsuit against the defendant, and what makes the defendant liable.
The complaint must also contain a “request for relief,” which is the compensation we are seeking from the defendant.
File Your Case and Pay the Filing Fee
When the complaint is ready, our attorneys can submit it on your behalf to the appropriate court in your county. Please note that the filing fee must typically be paid at the time of filing; otherwise, your complaint may not be accepted.
Serve the Other Party
You still have to serve the defendant, and should prioritize doing so. Our lawyers can help you arrange service of process from a private company that handles this task quickly.
FAQs About the Cost of Filing a Civil Lawsuit
Can You Recover Court Fees from a Jury Award?
Juries don’t explicitly award plaintiffs compensation for filing fees they’ve paid to initiate lawsuits in Maryland, but for the harms they’ve suffered because of a defendant.
Does it Cost More to File a Lawsuit without an Attorney?
The initial filing fee for civil lawsuits is $165 when plaintiffs are not represented by an attorney, and $185 when they are represented by a lawyer. While the filing fee may be $20 more with an attorney, having a lawyer also helps ensure your case is filed correctly and that you only pay the appropriate court fees.
What if You Can’t Afford to File a Civil Lawsuit?
If you need help covering all the fees associated with filing a civil lawsuit, our lawyers can request that the court waive the prepayment of court fees.
Are Court Fees Refundable in Maryland?
Since court fees for civil lawsuits in Maryland are nonrefundable, it is important to pay the clerk the correct amount for each request made so that you gain access to the information you need during a civil lawsuit in Maryland.
Our experienced attorneys are well-versed in the necessary payment schedules and common court fees and can effectively manage your payments.
Do Civil Lawsuits Cost Less if You Settle?
If your case doesn’t go to trial and settles out of court, you may be able to avoid several of the court fees associated with trials and requesting documents from them.
Is it Worth Filing a Lawsuit Despite the Cost?
Though there are costs involved in filing a lawsuit, the potential recovery typically makes it worth it, especially if you are struggling with expensive bills and other damages. Especially when plaintiffs have attorneys who work on a contingency fee basis, filing a lawsuit becomes much more financially feasible.
Call Our Attorneys to File a Civil Lawsuit in Maryland Today
For a free case evaluation with the Ocean City personal injury lawyers at Rice Law, call us today at (410) 694-7291.