Texas Ranks Third in 'Most Dragged-Out' Federal Civil Lawsuits in the US, Study Says

  

  In Texas, the completion of a federal civil lawsuit typically spans at least 13 months on average, earning the Lone Star State the third spot for one of the lengthiest civil litigation processes in the country. According to a study conducted by the Scott Vicknair law firm in Louisiana, this extended timeline is shared with Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, Massachusetts, and South Dakota.

The research conducted by personal injury lawyers focused on a 12-month dataset, encompassing 12,379 suits that reached conclusions in U.S. courts by March 31, 2022. The study assessed the average duration it takes for each state to initiate a federal civil case in their respective district courts and the timeframe for the court's final ruling to be reached.

A lawsuit alleging unfair felony bail practices in Harris County has been dismissed by a judge. The study reveals that Louisiana tops the list with a lengthy average of 22 months, followed by Idaho at 13.6 months. Texas, along with several other states mentioned in the study, lags behind the U.S. average of 9.2 months when it comes to concluding lawsuits.

While California boasts the highest number of federal civil lawsuits in the nation, it stands out for its efficiency in processing them, taking an average of 7.1 months, as per the study. Nebraska leads as the state with the shortest duration to complete lawsuits, with just over 5 months. Vermont, at 6 months, and Georgia, at 6.1 months, closely follow suit.

The study further reveals that 64% of the civil lawsuits examined concluded either during or after the pretrial phase, indicating that a majority of cases in the country are resolved before reaching trial, according to findings from the Scott Vicknair Law Firm.

According to the Louisiana-based firm, less than 1% of federal civil suits in the United States reach resolution during the trial phase. For individuals contemplating filing a federal lawsuit and seeking a quicker process, understanding the court's jurisdiction is crucial, advised David Vicknair, lead personal injury attorney, and partner at the Scott Vicknair Law Firm. Two prerequisites for a court to have jurisdiction include the defendant residing or conducting business in the state and the case being eligible for federal court consideration.

"State courts typically handle most contract cases, family law, and tort, which includes personal injury," remarked Vicknair.

Additionally, Vicknair suggested that those considering filing federal lawsuits should opt for a legal team based in the same location as the entity or individual they intend to sue.