Legal Question in Personal Injury in Virginia

Alright -- I understand your confusion! Let me clarify a couple of points for you, and I think it will make sense. We handle quite a few civil litigation cases involving companies, and it is not uncommon to face what you are just now attempting to grasp.

Generally, when you want information about what and how a corporation acts, or what the corporation has done, you serve notice on the corporation for a deposition. Because the corporation itself is not an individual (obviously!), the company must send a representative, of the company's choosing, to be present at the deposition and answer your questions. The corporation has the right to select their own person, however, the individual sent must be able to answer the questions you are seeking. For this reason, it is common to outline the thrust of your inquiry when serving the corporation so they can send the right person (again, obviously). If you don't let them know what the nature (in general terms is fine) of your inquiry, they can't send the right person...and you usually waste a lot of time.

If you want a specific person to answer questions, then you must serve that person with a subpoena individually. However, if the person is protected behind the corporate veil, they have may present a valid motion to object to the subpoena, and you'll have to demonstrate why this person, and no other, is the right person to question in regards to the corporate matter. Remember, corporations can select their own person to send to a deposition -- they are not bound by what you want (so long as that person can answer the questions). Often, for this reason, the CEO, or other officers involved with the suit, are named in the actual filing. This ensures that they have to respond as party opponents and cannot hide behind the corporation. For the same reason, you will often find that corporations seek to remove named officers from suits ASAP to avoid just this problem (usually through some form of judgment on the pleadings prior to discovery being had).

You can beat a motion to quash your subpoena...sometimes. That's an entirely different kettle of fish -- and takes a bit of work. But don't be surprised to see such a motion if you try to get someone who lives behind the corporate veil.

If you would like to discuss further, I would be glad to help. 703-402-2723