et al ???

[redcannon]

I need quick sound advice in Louisiana (the sue me state). If a civil suit is filed for personal damages and the petition states: John Doe vs. John Blow, et al, does this mean that John Blow's attorney should represent any and all additional persons in suit. Or should any additional persons added to suit be clearly named - ex: John Doe vs John Blow, James Blow, et al.??
Also, if the original petition does not have these persons named can they be added later in an amended petition? I'm being told two different things by two different attorneys.
HELP!! I have to go to court next month.

 

[Tracey]

Not only is LA the sue me state, it's the wierd law state. To get a really good answer, you'll need to talk to LA attorneys. Maybe talk to attorney #3 and use him/her as the tie-breaker?

At any rate, any time you appear in court, you may bring your own counsel. Unless John Blow's attorney has also agreed to be your attorney (after written disclosure of the dangers of joint representation), you don't have an attorney. Blow's attorney's goal is to get Blow off as cheaply as possible. If this means throwing you to the lions, so be it. In other words, hire your own attorney!

Et al. usually refers to a big long list of parties who were named in the original complaint (or amended complaint). Et al. is used to shorten the case caption in subsequent pleadings.

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This is not legal advice and you are not my client. Double check everything with your own attorney and your state's laws.

 

[redcannon]

Tracey,
Thanks for the info. I have hired a new attorney and am now fighting that I have been added to the suit 2 years after the incident. (1 1/2 years after the original petition) Exceptions were filed in 1998 by another attorney who no longer represents me (due to a personal disagreement that turned into a business one) and now we are going to court on them. This is one of those cases that is going to drag on for 120 years because the guy thinks he's going to get big $$$$.
Anyway I appreciate the response. Do you know if this guy can legally add my name to the suit? The incident was 7-96. He filed his lawsuit in 11-96 against someone else. They went to deposition 3-98. He filed an amended petition in 4-98. My exceptions were filed 5-98. Now we have been given notice for hearing on exceptions 7-00. Any advice out there? This just seems really crazy to try to add someone later on after you get their name at deposition.