Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Michigan

Rights of Litigants to be kept informed

Are there any limitations or standards in which an attorney, or attorney's have to process your case in a timely manner, after a deposition has been given, and are there any laws that require attorney's to keep their plantiffs informed as to the outcome of the depositions and damage packages. I had a deposition back in May of 2003, and after five months, I contacted the attorney's office, and asked, several times, because I felt they were not keeping me informed of events. This was a class action suit, in which the attorney's contacted me for testimony, and I was to be named in the lawsuit, but noticed where the plantiffs were listed, my name was not amoung them, and when I asked the attorney about this, I was told that Jane Doe was listed and I was in that list. As of this date November9,2003, I still have not heard one word from the attorney's office regarding a damage package that was promised to me by that office. So it has been seven month's. Are they not required to handle this in a timely manner, after testimony has been given and been done for seven month's?


Asked on 11/09/03, 7:12 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Charles Aspinwall Charles S. Aspinwall, J.D., LLC

Re: Rights of Litigants to be kept informed

Litigation, particularly class actions, can take several years to conclude. In the meantime, there are large periods of time when there is no action. Send a certified letter to your attorney requesting a full update and advice on the status of your case. Request a response by a particular date, no less than 15 days after the date of your letter. Keep a file. If you don't get the information you seek, consider contacting your local bar association for assistance.

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Answered on 11/10/03, 8:59 am
William Stern William Stern, P.C.

Re: Rights of Litigants to be kept informed

In a class action case, the judge oversees the case, usually very carefully. Call the judge's clerk to see the time frame of the case. Bill Stern

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Answered on 11/10/03, 11:45 am


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