A lot has changed in the last few months since coronavirus swept across the globe. Many of our personal injury clients are wondering “what will their day in court look like when courts reopen?”
Locally, courts are reopening step-by-step. For now, courts are operating virtually and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. As courts begin to reopen for matters that must be handled in person, protective gear and maintaining adequate distances between people is required.
The New York Supreme and County Court, Surrogate’s Court, Family Court, and City Court recently began accepting new filings with the exception of landlord-tenant evictions, mortgage foreclosures, and default judgement motions. This means that the courts now are open for the filing of new personal injury cases.
Once your case is filed, parts of the litigation process such as depositions, court conferences, and even mediations can be conducted by video. There’s a lot of uncertainty about how jury trials will be conducted, however. We expect courtrooms will be used only if they’re large enough to support social distancing, and courtrooms will be equipped with plexiglass barriers.
As the legal system adjusts and responds to COVID-19, our clients can rest assured that our office is flexible and well-equipped to represent you. If you’ve been injured, don’t wait to contact an attorney. Our team is available to assist you now, and we have precautions in place including masks, a socially-distanced conference room, and the availability of remote consultations to protect your legal rights while also keeping you safe.
