What Is a Deposition in New Jersey?

When the plaintiff (the injured party or the estate) files a lawsuit in New Jersey, they have a right to conduct the deposition of the party or parties they have sued. A deposition is a question and answer session in which your lawyer has an opportunity to depose the defendant and ask them questions under oath. Similarly when you file a lawsuit, (plaintiff) the other side also has the same right to take your deposition There is a court reporter who will take transcribe all of the sworn testimony into a deposition transcript.

It is a very important phase in the discovery process on your lawsuit. It is critical that you are prepared since the defense lawyer has the right to ask numerous questions about the accident, your past history, your injuries, treatment, present complaints, and explore other relevant issues. Your sworn testimony can be used for many different purposes. For example if you testify in your deposition and then change or contradict that testimony at the time of the trial ,the lawyer can use the contradictions or inconsistencies to impeach or impair your credibility.

Our office recently conducted depositions on a complex product liability case in which our client sustained serious personal injuries which required multiple surgeries. Prior to the deposition we consulted with our professional engineer to make sure we were properly prepared. Often on complex cases its essential to confer with our experts to get their insight into the case and exploit the weaknesses of the defense. During the deposition of the manufacturing representatives we asked detailed questions about the machine, its research and development, risk assessments (hazard analysis) that were performed to make sure the machine was safe, customs and industry standards, warnings that were considered and other relevant issues.

At Leonard Law Firm, Pa we have been preparing our clients and taking defendants depositions for over 25 years. We will thoroughly prepare you for this important proceeding. Also when we conduct the defendants depositions we will make sure that all of the relevant questions are asked.

Our serious personal injury law firm has been protecting the rights of our clients for over 25 years on all types of serious injuries and wrongful death claims in Union, Springfield, Chatham, Summit, Newark, Chester, Mendham, Morristown, Hackensack, Dover, Randolph, Jersey City, Basking Ridge, Metuchen, Woodbridge, Camden,TomsRiver, Sparta, Clifton, Roxbury, Lopatcong, Belvidere, Wayne, Elizabeth, Perth, Amboy, Edison, New Brunswick, Englewood, Parsippany, Maplewood, Atlantic City, and throughout New Jersey.

Please contact our team of experienced personal injury trial lawyers in our Morristown, Newark, or Denville, NJ offices for a free confidential consultation at (973) 920-7900.