Whether you should file a lawsuit depends on your personal situation. The first question to ask is whether the amount of time and stress is worth it. If you do choose to file a lawsuit, consider whether you are likely to win. A lawsuit can also help you get anything of value. If the other party is bankrupt, you may not be able to recover a financial judgment, or you may even lose all of your money. Also, consider the legal fees.

A lawsuit generally starts with the plaintiff filing a complaint with the court. The plaintiff then delivers a copy of the complaint to the defendant. The complaint is a document explaining the incident and why the plaintiff should be held responsible for the damages. It may also ask for money compensation, an order to stop the harming conduct, or a declaration of legal rights. A lawsuit can be filed by a person or a company. The process can take several months.

A civil lawsuit is an action filed in a federal court. There is a fee to file a complaint in federal court. If the plaintiff cannot afford to pay this fee, he or she may request that the court waive the filing fee, and proceed in forma pauperis. If this request is granted, the plaintiff will receive a waiver of the filing fee. It is possible that the plaintiff will prevail and obtain a judgment. In most cases, however, the plaintiff will not receive the money that he or she is seeking.