Understanding the Civil Justice System

Illustration of interconnected gears labeled trial, plaintiff claims, discovery, appeals, insurance, and collections, symbolizing the civil justice process explained in DEH Law’s Civil Justice 101

Most people know lawsuits exist, but few understand how the civil justice system really works. Hollywood skips the months (or years) of work that go into building a case. In real life, winning a civil case often depends on careful preparation, persistence, and knowing how to navigate a process stacked against ordinary people.

This section explains the basics, from how plaintiff lawyers are paid to what happens at trial, appeal, and beyond. Each topic below links to a fuller guide:

The Elements of a Legal Claim – Duty, breach, causation, and damages explained.
The Litigation Process – From filing a complaint to trial.
Discovery Explained – Depositions, interrogatories, and document requests.
The Jury Trial Process – How juries are chosen, how trials unfold, and why plaintiffs face bias.
Post-Trial Motions – What happens after a verdict.
Appeals in Civil Cases – How appellate courts review errors.
Collections After Judgment – Enforcing a verdict when defendants resist paying.
The Role of Insurance Companies – Why insurers control the defense in most cases.
Insurance Bad Faith and Excess Verdicts – When insurers gamble and lose, exposing policyholders to excess verdicts.
How Plaintiff Lawyers Get Paid – Why contingency fees level the playing field.

The civil justice system isn’t easy. Plaintiffs face delays, skeptical juries, and insurers determined to minimize payouts. But with skilled advocacy and persistence, it remains the only system we have to hold wrongdoers accountable and secure justice for injured people and their families.