Houston Lawsuit Defense Lawyer

Attorney Roger G Jain If you’re facing a lawsuit, you may already know what is at stake. Being sued can disrupt your business, threaten your personal assets, and derail your entire future. Your daily operations might grind to a halt because you’re consumed by demands for documents, depositions, and endless meetings. This takes valuable time and energy away from running your business, serving your customers, or simply living your life.

When a civil lawsuit is filed against you or your business in Houston, our Houston lawsuit defense lawyers help you understand the challenge and build a strong defense. The legal team at Roger G. Jain & Associates, P.C., will work to protect your rights, your reputation, and your assets. Learn more.

We serve all of Harris County, providing direct guidance for anyone facing a serious civil lawsuit. Our office is conveniently located at 9301 Southwest Freeway, Suite 250, Houston, TX 77074. Our main location at Merlyn Plaza is easily accessed by nearly all of Houston’s major highway systems, including South Loop 610, West Loop 610, Southwest Freeway, Sam Houston Tollway & Westpark Tollway. Contact us by calling (713) 981-0600 to schedule a risk-free, no-obligation consultation. Let us be the team that helps protect your assets and future.

Recent Review

“I am extremely impressed with RGJ & Associates. They were very professional and attentive to my needs. I always received prompt callbacks and replies to my questions. Mr. Jain listened and patiently explained the steps I needed to take in order to resolve a subrogation claim against me. I am so happy I found them!”

Verified Google Review by C.J.

When You’re Called to Court in Houston

Being served with a lawsuit means someone believes you are legally responsible for some harm or wrongdoing, and they are asking a court to order you to pay money, or to do or stop doing something. This could stem from many reasons, affecting individuals and businesses alike.

Here in Houston, people and businesses often find themselves defending against various types of civil lawsuits:

Business Lawsuits: These are broad and can include claims like breach of contract (someone says you didn’t fulfill your part of a deal), partnership disputes, shareholder conflicts, or allegations of unfair business practices. This also covers disputes with vendors, suppliers, or customers.
Real Estate Lawsuits: You might be sued over a property transaction that went wrong, a boundary dispute, a landlord-tenant issue, claims of undisclosed property defects when you sold a home, or challenges to property titles.
Debt Collection Lawsuits: Creditors or debt collectors might sue to recover unpaid debts, sometimes involving complex financial agreements or allegations of fraud.
Professional Malpractice Claims: If you are a professional (like an accountant, architect, or even a real estate agent), you might be sued for alleged negligence or errors in your professional services.
Tort Claims: These are civil wrongs that cause a plaintiff to suffer loss or harm, resulting in legal liability for the person who commits the tortious act. This could include claims of negligence, fraud, or defamation.
Property Damage Claims: Someone might sue you, claiming that you or your property caused damage to their property.

The specific type of lawsuit changes the details, but the core need remains the same: you need to understand what’s happening, what’s at stake, and what your options are. Ignoring a lawsuit is never an option; it almost guarantees a negative outcome.

Texas Law and Your Defense

The legal process for defending a lawsuit in Texas is governed by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. When you receive a lawsuit, it typically begins with a “citation” and a “petition” or “complaint.” The petition lays out the plaintiff’s claims against you.

Your first critical step is to file an “answer” with the court within a specific timeframe (usually 21 days from when you were served). In your answer, you respond to each of the plaintiff’s allegations, admitting or denying them. Texas allows for a general denial, where you deny all of the plaintiff’s allegations. This is also where you can raise “affirmative defenses.”

An affirmative defense is a legal reason why the plaintiff should not win the lawsuit, even if what they say is true.

Examples of affirmative defenses in Texas include:

Statute of Limitations: The plaintiff waited too long to file the lawsuit according to Texas law.
Payment: You have already paid the debt or fulfilled the obligation being claimed.
Accord and Satisfaction: You and the plaintiff previously agreed to settle the dispute for a different amount or on different terms.
Waiver: The plaintiff knowingly gave up a right that is now the subject of the lawsuit.
Lack of Standing: The plaintiff does not have the legal right to sue you on this matter.
No Damages: Even if what the plaintiff claims is true, they haven’t actually suffered any legally recognized harm.

The “discovery” phase follows, where both sides exchange information and evidence. This involves written questions (interrogatories), requests for documents, and depositions (sworn out-of-court testimony). This phase is crucial for gathering facts and preparing your case.

Many lawsuits settle before trial through negotiation or mediation. If a settlement can’t be reached, the case proceeds to trial, where evidence is presented, witnesses testify, and a judge or jury makes a decision.

What to Do When You’re Sued in Houston

Getting sued is stressful, but a calm, organized approach is the best way forward.

Don’t Panic, and Don’t Ignore It: The worst thing you can do is nothing. Ignoring a lawsuit means the court can issue a “default judgment” against you, meaning you automatically lose the case without ever having your say.
Note the Deadline: Look immediately at the date you were served and the absolute deadline for filing your answer. This is a critical legal requirement.
Gather All Documents: Collect every piece of paper related to the lawsuit and the underlying issue: the summons, the petition, any relevant contracts, emails, texts, invoices, payment records, and any other communications. Organize them.
Do Not Discuss with the Other Side Without Legal Advice: Anything you say can be used against you. It’s best to let your lawyer handle all communications with the opposing party or their attorney.
Contact a Lawyer Immediately: The complexity of civil procedure and Texas law means you need experienced guidance right away. A lawyer can explain your rights, assess the claims against you, and begin building your defense.

Contact Our Houston Lawsuit Defense Lawyers Today

When you or your business is hit with a lawsuit, you need someone who can stand strong beside you, offering clear strategy and decisive action. We defend individuals and businesses in Houston against a range of civil lawsuits, focusing on protecting your interests and achieving the best possible outcome.

Being sued is a serious matter, but it doesn’t mean you’re defeated. With the right defense, you can protect what’s yours and move forward.

If you’ve been served with a lawsuit in Houston, don’t wait. Call at (713) 981-0600 or fill out our confidential contact form to learn more about your legal options.