--- title: First 3 Things To Do If You Get Sued description: "\"Oh my gosh, I've been sued. What should I do now?\" For businesses and individuals fortunate enough to have never asked this question, the answer is fairly simple." --- [![Goosman Lawfirm](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Goosmannlaw%20October2017/images/Goosmann_Law_Firm_logo_4C-white.png?width=1250&name=Goosmann_Law_Firm_logo_4C-white.png "Goosman Lawfirm")](http://goosmannlaw.com/) - [COVID-19 Toolbox](https://goosmannlaw.com/covid-19-resource-toolbox/) - Our Team - [Attorneys](https://goosmannlaw.com/attorneys/) - [Non-Attorney Staff](https://http://goosmannlaw.com/non-attorney-staff/) - Practices & Industries - [Practices](https://goosmannlaw.com/practices/) - [Banking & Finance](https://goosmannlaw.com/banking-finance/) - [Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Workouts](https://goosmannlaw.com/bankruptcy-restructuring-workouts/) - [Business](https://goosmannlaw.com/business/) - [Divorce & Family Law](https://goosmannlaw.com/divorce-family-law/) - [Employment](https://goosmannlaw.com/employment-law/) - [Environmental, Health & Safety](https://goosmannlaw.com/health-safety/) - [Estate Planning](https://trustlawcounsel.com) - [Gestational Surrogacy & Adoption](https://goosmannlaw.com/gestational-surrogacy-adoption/) - [International Law](http://goosmannlaw.com/international-law/) - [Litigation / Trial Law](https://goosmannlaw.com/litigation-trial-law/) - [Local Counsel](https://http://goosmannlaw.com/local-counsel/) - [Mergers & Acquisitions](https://goosmannlaw.com/mergers-acquisitions/) - [Rapid Response](https://goosmannlaw.com/rapid-response/) - [Industries](https://goosmannlaw.com/industries/) - [Agribusiness & Cooperatives](https://goosmannlaw.com/agribusiness-cooperatives/) - [Construction](https://goosmannlaw.com/construction/) - [Cyber Law and Telecommunications](https://goosmannlaw.com/cyber-law/) - [Education](https://goosmannlaw.com/education/) - [Health Care](https://goosmannlaw.com/health-care/) - [Manufacturing](https://goosmannlaw.com/manufacturing-law/) - [Multifamily Housing](https://goosmannlaw.com/multifamily-housing-law/) - [Non-Profit & Tax Exempt Organizations](https://goosmannlaw.com/non-profit-law/) - [Real Estate](https://goosmannlaw.com/real-estate/) - [Transportation](https://goosmannlaw.com/transportation/) - [Tribal](https://goosmannlaw.com/tribal/) - Our Firm - [Firm News](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/firm-news) - Careers - [Attorneys](https://goosmannlaw.com/careers/attorneys/) - [Administration](https://goosmannlaw.com/careers/administration/) - [Internships](https://goosmannlaw.com/careers/internships/) - [Client Testimonials and Results](https://goosmannlaw.com/our-firm/client-testimonials-and-results/) - [Culture, Diversity, and Community](https://http://goosmannlaw.com/our-firm/culture-diversity-and-community/) - [Women-Owned Business](https://goosmannlaw.com/our-firm/women-owned-business/) - [Associations & Memberships](https://goosmannlaw.com/associations-memberships/) - [Firm History](https://goosmannlaw.com/firm-history/) - Blogs - [CEO Law Review](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/ceo-on-your-side) - [Construction Lawyer](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/construction-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Cyber Lawyer](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/cyber-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Deal Maker](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side) - [Divorce Docket](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/divorce-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Food for Thought](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/agricultural-lawyer-on-your-side) - [HR Legal Insider](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/human-resources-on-your-side) - [Law Doc](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/health-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Paralegal Review](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/paralegal-review/) - [Real Estate Lawyer](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/real-estate-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Risky Business](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/risk-manager-on-your-side) - [The Banker’s Suit](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/banking-lawyer-on-you-side) - [Trial Law Review](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side) - [Trust Law Counsel](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side) - Resources - [COVID-19 Resource Toolbox](https://goosmannlaw.com/covid-19-resource-toolbox/) - [Podcast](http://podcast.goosmannlaw.com/) - [Videos](https://goosmannlaw.com/videos/) - [FREE eBooks & Tools](https://goosmannlaw.com/free-ebooks-tools/) - Contact Us - [Office Locations](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/) - [Sioux City Law Firm](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/sioux-city-law-firm/) - [Sioux Falls Law Firm](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/sioux-falls-law-firm/) - [Omaha Law Firm](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/omaha-law-firm/) - [Spirit Lake & Spencer Law Firms](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/spirit-lake-and-spencer-law-firm/) - [Real Estate Closings Office](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/real-estate-closing-office/) - [Submit a Testimonial](https://goosmannlaw.com/submit-a-testimonial/) - [Sign Up for Our Newsletter](https://goosmannlaw.com/sign-up-for-our-newsletter/) - [Pay Online](https://goosmannlaw.com/pay-online-3/) - [  (855) 843-4531](tel:855-843-4531) ![](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/Lockbox%20Lawyer/close-button.png) [tel:855-THE-GLF1](tel:855-THE-GLF1) [Business News and Insights](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/business-news-and-insights) [Litigation & Trial](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/litigation-trial) [Litigation News and Insights](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/litigation-news-and-insights) # [First 3 Things To Do If You Get Sued](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/trial-first-3-things-to-do-if-you-get-sued) By [Goosmann Law Team](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/author/goosmann-law-team)   |  6, November 2014 [READ NOW](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/trial-first-3-things-to-do-if-you-get-sued) [Read Post](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/trial-first-3-things-to-do-if-you-get-sued#article) [![](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Logo1.jpg?width=60&name=Logo1.jpg)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/author/goosmann-law-team) [Goosmann Law Team](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/author/goosmann-law-team)  Tags: [Business News and Insights](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/business-news-and-insights) [Litigation & Trial](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/litigation-trial) [Litigation News and Insights](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/litigation-news-and-insights) "Oh my gosh, I've been sued. What should I do now?" For businesses and individuals fortunate enough to have never asked this question, the answer is fairly simple. 1. *Consult an attorney immediately.* A defendant typically has 20 or 30 days to file a response to a lawsuit after they are served with the lawsuit papers. Failure to retain an attorney promptly and/or failure to file a timely response to the lawsuit can lead to a "default judgment" being entered against you and/or your business. 1. *Notify your insurers.* Unless you are positive none of your insurance policies could apply to the lawsuit, you should generally notify your insurers of the lawsuit as soon as possible. Your insurers might have a duty to hire a lawyer to defend you and/or your business, and they also might have a duty to pay any resulting judgment if the plaintiff prevails. 1. *Preserve your evidence.* Once you have been sued, it is imperative that you preserve all documents, emails, text messages, and any other tangible items related to the dispute. If there are others (employees, for example) who possess relevant documents, emails or text messages related to the dispute, instruct them to avoid destroying/deleting them. If you follow the above, you will put yourself and/or your business in a good position to respond to the lawsuit and move forward with litigation. While following these 3 steps won't guarantee victory, it's a step in the right direction. Photo Copyright: kzenon / 123RF Stock Photo ### Select Different CTA for each Post from Blog Editor [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/489404/a8cefc17-3b9d-4de0-89cd-e60a64752422.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/489404/a8cefc17-3b9d-4de0-89cd-e60a64752422) ### Subscribe Our Blog Thanks for submission!! - Recent - Popular ### Posts by Topic - [Firm News (212)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/firm-news) - [Business News and Insights (135)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/business-news-and-insights) - [CEO (93)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/ceo) - [Employment News and Insights (85)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/employment-news-and-insights) - [Trust Law Counsel (85)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/trust-law-counsel) - [Agricultural News and Insights (71)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/agricultural-news-and-insights) - [Human Resources (65)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/human-resources) - [Agriculture (62)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/agriculture) - [Family Law News and Insights (59)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/family-law-news-and-insights) - [Litigation & Trial (56)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/litigation-trial) - [Divorce & Family Law (53)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/divorce-family-law) - [Risk Management (49)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/risk-management) - [Litigation News and Insights (42)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/litigation-news-and-insights) - [Construction News and Insights (40)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/construction-news-and-insights) - [Real Estate News and Insights (31)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/real-estate-news-and-insights) - [South Dakota (14)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/south-dakota) - [Cyber Law (9)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/cyber-law) - [Media Law and Technology & Science (5)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/media-law-and-technology-science) - [Communications Law (3)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/communications-law) - [LLC Program (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/llc-program) - [Sioux Falls Attorney (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/topic/sioux-falls-attorney) DISCLAIMER: The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. By visiting this website, blog, or post you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Goosmann Law Firm attorneys and website publisher. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice from Goosmann Law Firm, PLC, or the individual author, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this Post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction. #### Let Us Know What You Thought about this Post. Put your Comment Below. [Previous Post](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/ceo-avoid-boilerplate-get-contract-reviewed) ##### [How to Avoid Boilerplate and When to Get that Contract Reviewed](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/ceo-avoid-boilerplate-get-contract-reviewed) [Next Post](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/risk-the-boomerang-effect) ##### [The "Boomerang" Effect](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/risk-the-boomerang-effect) ### Contact Info **Sioux City Location** P. 712-226-4000 F. (712) 224-4517 **Sioux Falls Location** P. (605) 371-2000 F. (605) 275-2039 **Omaha Location** P. (402) 280-7648 F. (402) 505-3967 --- [Disclaimer](http://goosmannlaw.com/list-all-blogs/disclaimer/) | [Privacy Policy](http://goosmannlaw.com/privacy-policy/) ### Locations **Sioux City Location** 410 5th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 **Sioux Falls Location** 5010 S. Minnesota Avenue, Suite 100 Sioux Falls, SD 57108 **Omaha Location** Advent Building 17838 Burke Street, Suite 250 Omaha, NE 68118 ![Goosmann](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Lockbox%20Lawyer/goosmann-white.png?width=250&name=goosmann-white.png "Goosmann") Goosmann Law Firm is a FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM with locations in Sioux City, Iowa, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Omaha, Nebraska. Goosmann Law attorneys are licensed to practice in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Their attorney team's practices and industries include but are not limited to Agribusiness and Cooperatives, Banking and Finance, Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Workouts, Business, Construction, Cyber Law and Telecommunications, Divorce and Family Law, Education, Employment, Environmental Health and Safety, Gestational Surrogacy and Adoption, Health Care, Litigation and Trial Law, Manufacturing, Mergers and Acquisitions, Municipal, Nonprofit and Tax Exempt Organizations, Real Estate, and Transportation, Tribal, Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, and Probate Law. Goosmann © Copyright 2017