Legal Correspondences You Should Never Ignore
Why these legal notices demand your attention

Piles of mail and an overflowing inbox often trigger a sense of dread. If buried within those piles are essential legal correspondences, you may want to think twice before ignoring them any longer. Ignoring or delaying a response to a legal request is rarely, if ever, a wise choice. Among the most important legal notices are jury duty summons, subpoenas, class action notices and consumer recalls. Here’s a breakdown of why you should take each of these four notices seriously:

Jury Duty Summons

A jury duty summons is more than a legal request, but an obligation and fulfillment of your civic duty. If summoned, your participation is crucial to upholding the legal system. Ignoring your summons can lead to serious consequences including fines, being held in contempt of court and even a warrant for your arrest.

How to respond: First and foremost, read the summons carefully and follow all directions. Respond promptly and contact your court’s clerk office immediately with any questions or to request a legal exemption.

Subpoenas

Like a summons, a subpoena is a serious legal command. It is a court order requiring you to appear in court as a witness, to provide testimony or to produce legal documents in a legal proceeding. Ignoring this court order carries similar consequences to that of a summons.

How to respond: Subpoenas often carry strict requirements and deadlines. Address any questions or concerns with an attorney. Legal counsel can help you better understand the subpoena’s demands or challenge the request if you believe it is invalid.

Class Action Notice

A class action notice is important for two reasons - not only does it notify you that you may become part of a class action lawsuit, but it also informs you that you may be entitled to compensation if a settlement is reached. A class action lawsuit, in short, allows a group of people with similar grievances to collectively sue a company over liability of products, data breaches, unfair practices and more.

How to respond: Familiarize yourself with the details of the lawsuit and determine whether you want to participate. Maintaining copies of all documentation related to the case is paramount should you choose to file a claim. You may also opt out of the class or object to the settlement.

Consumer Recalls

Some class action lawsuits result in consumer recalls. Recalls are legal documents that notify consumers that a product they purchased has been identified as defective or unsafe. Recalls cover an array of consumer goods ranging from food and medications to vehicles and appliances. Ignoring a recall notice can wreak havoc on your health and safety.

How to respond: While recalls don’t require any legal action, they do recommend to consumers certain actions to take to protect themselves against the defective item. Steps may include discarding the item or following manufacturer’s instructions to repair, replace or return the item.

Beyond these four notices are a number of other important legal correspondences. So, before deleting an e-mail or discarding a letter, be sure to review its contents to ensure you are up to speed on any legal obligations, potential rights and safety concerns.