From our Clients
What is the court system in Puerto Rico?
Like most of the states of the United States, Puerto Rico has two parallel systems: a Federal Court system and a state court system. In order to file a case in Federal Court, there are two main reasons for accessing that court system: (a) you are domiciled (residence and intent) stateside or (b) you have a claim based on a federal law or the U.S. Constitution.
What language is used in the courts of Puerto Rico?
The language of the Federal Court system is English. The language of the state court system is Spanish.
Why should I file in Federal Court?
There may be multiple reasons. But the one big difference between the two systems is that, in Federal Court, there is a right to a jury trial in civil cases.
What do we do if we need an expert for our case?
Many times we have to contract an expert from the States, particularly in cases of medical malpractice. There are, however, many experts in Puerto Rico that span a wide range of expertise.
Do I have to go to Puerto Rico to file my case or after its filed?
You do not have to be in Puerto Rico to file your case but you will likely need to be there to have your deposition taken and possibly examined by a doctor, if you are claiming personal injuries. Of course, if the case goes to trial, you must be there for trial.
Can my family members also file suit in Puerto Rico?
Often times they can.
When do I have to file my lawsuit in Puerto Rico?
Typically, a case must be filed within one year of the facts occurring. That applies to most personal injury and medical malpractice claims. There are exceptions to the general rule and different periods for cases based on contract or federal laws may apply.
How much does it cost to file a lawsuit?
Filing fees in Federal Court (charged by the U.S. Government) are currently $400.
What do I do about the expense in my case?
If you have a personal injury case or medical malpractice case, those expenses are deducted from your recovery at the time of settlement or from the recovery from a trial verdict. We can discuss with you various options of how expenses can be handled.
Why should I choose Indiano & Williams to represent me?
Once you have all the information, we are sure that you will know the answer to that question.
Ready to find out more?
Drop us a line today for a free consultation.