Worried about a Lawsuit

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Developmental Disorders.

I'm scared. I was emptying out my mailbox for the first time in a month (I haven't been getting my mail unless I see something important in Informed Delivery, as the bulk of my mail is spam and things for the old owner of the house). In the pile of mail was a pink slip from the post office dated 8/3/23. It says on the top "Sorry we missed you while you were out" (PS Form 3849). It said there was an attempt to deliver a letter via certified mail from a law firm but there was nobody around to sign for it. It had my name and address on this slip. I tried scheduling a redelivery online but the site said I couldn't because there was already a redelivery request out (I didn't make this, so no idea what the confirmation number would be). I looked up the article number to find the tracking number. Tracked the package through the USPS website and was able to confirm through the website that the letter was sent to the post office 7/31 and that delivery was attempted 8/3. The site also had an update from 8/8/23, saying that delivery was attempted (though no physical paper was left behind from 8/8). The 8/8 online update told me to schedule a redelivery or the mail would be returned to sender. So, it's likely that the mail has been returned to sender already. I didn't receive any kind of indication in Informed Delivery that this letter was coming on either 8/3 or 8/8. 

My old job where I was working earlier this Summer had some very... interesting clients, which is part of why I moved on to a different job.  I Googled the law firm, and they handle a variety of things, such as liability, wrongful death, automobile accidents. I work in healthcare, and I rarely drive and have never been in a crash. So I'm most worried that it might have to do with healthcare/clients. I'm terrified about getting sued by a former client or family member. 

I checked every court for my state (CT), searching online to see if there are any pending cases that mention my name. I also checked on my nursing license online, and I have no pending disciplinary action posted there. I even Googled my real name as well, and I don't see any complaints about myself posted online. I'm hoping that's a good sign. I just don't know what to do about this certified letter that this law office was apparently trying to deliver to me. 

Thanks for listening.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

Contact the lawyers office, find out situation, offer no info without getting your own lawyer

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Hoosier_RN said:

Contact the lawyers office, find out situation, offer no info without getting your own lawyer

Yes, that's one option.  However, if it were me, rather than contacting the lawyer's office I think I would wait for it to be delivered.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
chare said:

Yes, that's one option.  However, if it were me, rather than contacting the lawyer's office I think I would wait for it to be delivered.

You could, but they could opt not to redeliver, thinking address is incorrect or being ignored. Then, depending on situation, a decision could be made in absentia 

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Developmental Disorders.

I've done some research and noticed that in CT, court summons must be signed by either the court clerk, assistant clerk, or Commissioner of the Superior Court, even if the summons is being sent from the law office. I looked at the Summons forms that were filled out for previous CT cases in order to verify this. So, I think my plan is to call Court Services or the Court Clerk on Tuesday to see if they have a record of them signing a summons with my name on it. This way, I can figure out if I'm being named as a Defendant without drawing attention to myself by calling the lawyer's office. 

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Specializes in Dialysis.
sideshowstarlet said:

I've done some research and noticed that in CT, court summons must be signed by either the court clerk, assistant clerk, or Commissioner of the Superior Court, even if the summons is being sent from the law office. I looked at the Summons forms that were filled out for previous CT cases in order to verify this. So, I think my plan is to call Court Services or the Court Clerk on Tuesday to see if they have a record of them signing a summons with my name on it. This way, I can figure out if I'm being named as a Defendant without drawing attention to myself by calling the lawyer's office. 

It's pretty much like that in any location, court clerk or judge sign off. But instead of drawing attention of the lawyer, you're getting the attention of the court, because both will note that. Regardless of which you call, you don't have to give an address, so it's not like they can reach through the phone and stick the information to your forehead ?  since you're trying to be so incognito with that court system, makes me curious as to what you may be trying to sidestep...

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Developmental Disorders.
Hoosier_RN said:

It's pretty much like that in any location, court clerk or judge sign off. But instead of drawing attention of the lawyer, you're getting the attention of the court, because both will note that. Regardless of which you call, you don't have to give an address, so it's not like they can reach through the phone and stick the information to your forehead ?  since you're trying to be so incognito with that court system, makes me curious as to what you may be trying to sidestep...

Not trying to sidestep anything.  But a court clerk would be more neutral than a law firm, and it seems like either one would give me the information I want. 

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sideshowstarlet said:

Not trying to sidestep anything. ...

My apologies, but it seemed that way to me as well. 

sideshowstarlet said:

... But a court clerk would be more neutral than a law firm, and it seems like either one would give me the information I want.

If you were you to go to the courthouse, with proper identification, and a summons had been registered in your name, the clerk of the court might give you this information.  Possibly while serving it.  

As for calling, I would be surprised if they gave you this information without having verified your identity.

Best wishes.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Developmental Disorders.
chare said:

My apologies, but it seemed that way to me as well. 

If you were you to go to the courthouse, with proper identification, and a summons had been registered in your name, the clerk of the court might give you this information.  Possibly while serving it.  

As for calling, I would be surprised if they gave you this information without having verified your identity.

Best wishes.

Called and got my answer. There is nothing at the court registered in my name. Clerk did say law firms are able to sign a summons (rather than having the court clerk sign it, the way a layperson would have to). She said if there's any summons out there for me, it's for small claims court (I don't owe anyone any money, no credit card debt or student loans), since summons for malpractice, wrongful death, etc cases must be served by a Marshall,  not through certified mail. So... if it's anything,  it's some small claims case I don't know about.  My nursing license is safe. I hate the idea of being sued, but worse case scenario,  I can afford to pay $5,000 (limit for small claims in my state) if someone sues me and I lose. 

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Specializes in NICU.

Maybe some long lost relative is leaving you $1 million and the lawyer wants to give you the check. There is always hope that it is a good thing.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Developmental Disorders.
NICU Guy said:

Maybe some long lost relative is leaving you $1 million and the lawyer wants to give you the check. There is always hope that it is a good thing.

LOL! I'd never be that lucky! But by my calculations, this mailpiece would have been returned to sender on Aug 18 (15 calendar days after the initial delivery attempt), and nobody has tried to resend it. 

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

As a former supervisor,  I was summoned for a deposition regarding staff behaviors and protocols at a previous medical center. Essentially they were trying to make me a free expert witness, but not a party to the suit.  I deposed, but never heard anything back.

I suspect they were supening you as a witness, but you were never served, missed that window, and they just thought "never mind"

Forget about it.

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