I’ve Been Shot – I Mean Sued!

Consider this scenario: You are in your office working on an important business matter. Your assistant informs you that a deputy sheriff is in the lobby and would like to see you. Worried, you go outside to meet the deputy. He asks you to confirm your identity. As soon as you do, he hands you a Summons and Complaint. You say: “What is the meaning of this?” He says: “Call a lawyer. Have a nice day.”

As soon as the papers are in your hands, you have been sued. It happens. If you run a business, whatever its size, it is almost inevitable that you will get sued at some point by a customer, competitor, disgruntled former business partner or employee, or other person who thinks your business has done something wrong. What should you do when that day comes?

Missing Summons Almost Cost Kalamazoo County Agency $1 Million

A missing court summons nearly cost Kalamazoo County's public mental-health agency $1 million.

How it got lost and where the summons is now remains unclear.

In May 2006, a summons was served on the Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in connection with a wrongful- termination lawsuit filed by a former employee.