It’s not unusual for people to disagree. When they do, it’s also not unusual for one side to misread the significance or severity of the disagreement. The result can be a blind-siding lawsuit. Whether you have had a personal or professional disagreement, here are five signs that your dispute is headed for litigation.
- You are talking past each other.
Pay attention to how you communicate with the other party. Listen to what they say when they respond to you. If it feels like they’re not answering your questions or you’re not even talking about the same topic, that’s a sign of poor communication.
Although this miscommunication may be a sign of an upcoming lawsuit, it might just be an indicator that you two aren’t understanding each other. Now is a good time to enlist the help of a mediator to help you both better understand what the other person is saying.
- No compromise can be reached.
It is a bad sign if, despite your best efforts, your issue still remains unresolved. When both parties decide that no compromise can be reached, they force themselves into a stalemate. With both parties firmly planted in their opposing beliefs, they will turn to someone else to make the decision. Unfortunately, that often involves a lawsuit.
- Communication ceases.
You know it’s a bad sign when the other party stops talking to you, answering your calls, or replying to your emails. Although it’s possible that they are merely annoyed with you, it’s also possible that they are consulting with a lawyer or building a case against you. You don’t want to be paranoid but, at the same time, it’s important to respect this truly non-verbal cue for what it is – a red flag.
- They file a complaint against you.
If someone has filed a complaint against you, you can be fairly certain that a lawsuit is coming. First of all, when someone is so dissatisfied that they want to discuss it with a higher power and have it recorded, you should automatically know that you’re in trouble. Second, in some cases, filing a complaint may be one of the necessary first steps before filing a lawsuit. It could build a stronger case for your opponent later on.
- “Talk to my lawyer.”
This is the ultimate sign that your dispute is headed for litigation. Once you have reached this point, the other party is no longer interested in talking with you or trying to find a compromise. Additionally, they want any of your responses or comments to be sent exclusively to their lawyer. Normally, this means that they are working to build a case against you.
By no means should you actually talk to their lawyer. Instead, you should get your own lawyer and have your lawyer talk to their lawyer. This will help ensure that you don’t accidentally say or write anything that could incriminate or be used against you.
Get Help
It’s challenging to completely understand the nuances of arguments. If you’re unsure of whether or not your dispute is headed to litigation, ask a professional. At Rodriguez-Albizu Law, P.A., we are here to answer your questions. Whether your dispute is in real estate or business law, we are happy to answer any questions you may have and help you in this challenging time. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
