Practice areas · St. Louis attorney
Practice Areas: Injury, Civil, Federal and Business Law in St. Louis
The Law Offices of Harjot Singh Padda practices in four areas: personal injury, civil litigation (lawsuits), federal court cases, and business and corporate law. Each area is listed below with every type of case the firm handles. Find the one that fits your situation and go straight to it.
Personal injury
An injury claim starts with one question. Did someone fail to act with reasonable care, and did that cause your harm? The answer decides who pays.
In Missouri, you usually have five years to file an injury lawsuit (RSMo § 516.120(4)). Some claims have shorter deadlines. Injury consultations are free. Cases are handled on a contingency fee under a written agreement.
How Missouri injury claims work, start to finish.
Fault, insurance and damages after a crash.
Claims against trucking companies and their insurers.
Crashes where the rider takes the worst of the impact.
People hit while walking or crossing the street.
Riders hurt by drivers, opening car doors and road hazards.
Crashes involving Uber and Lyft drivers and their coverage.
Claims against drunk or impaired drivers.
Using your own policy when the other driver cannot pay.
Injuries caused by unsafe conditions on property.
When a dog owner is responsible for a bite in Missouri.
Claims a family may bring when carelessness costs a life.
Concussions and other brain injuries after an accident.
Spine injuries and the proof they need.
Workplace injuries: third-party claims
Claims against someone other than your employer.
Injuries caused by unsafe or defective products.
Civil litigation
Civil litigation is how a court settles a dispute the two sides could not settle themselves. It covers broken contracts, property fights, disputes between business owners and fraud claims.
Smaller disputes may belong in small claims court. In Missouri, that court hears cases worth $5,000 or less, not counting interest and costs (RSMo § 482.305). Larger cases go to circuit court.
The steps of a Missouri lawsuit.
When someone does not keep a signed agreement.
Disputes between businesses and with their customers.
Partnership and shareholder disputes
Conflicts among the owners of a company.
Title, boundary, sale and construction disputes.
Leases, deposits, repairs and evictions.
Insurance coverage and bad faith
When an insurer denies or delays a valid claim.
Claims based on lies that caused you a loss.
Injunctions and restraining orders
Court orders that stop harm before the case ends.
Suing to collect a debt, or defending against one.
Settling disputes outside the courtroom.
Asking a higher court to review a judgment.
Federal court litigation
Federal courts hear cases that arise under the U.S. Constitution or federal laws (28 U.S.C. § 1331). They also hear cases between citizens of different states when more than $75,000 is at stake, not counting interest and costs (28 U.S.C. § 1332).
A defendant sued in state court on a claim a federal court could have heard can usually move the case to federal court (28 U.S.C. § 1441). This is called removal. Federal rules and deadlines differ from Missouri’s, and careful preparation pays off.
How civil cases move through federal court.
Moving a case out of state court, or fighting the move.
When parties from different states can use federal court.
Civil rights lawsuits (Section 1983)
Claims when officials violate your constitutional rights.
Job discrimination and retaliation claims.
Injury claims against the United States government.
The rules for a federal civil case.
Review of a federal court judgment.
Business and corporate law
Business law is mostly about preventing problems. The papers written when a company is formed, funded or sold decide what happens later. They matter when owners disagree, a partner leaves or a deal falls apart. Business matters start with a paid consultation.
Legal help for Missouri businesses and their owners.
Setting up the company and filing with the state.
The contract among the owners of an LLC.
Agreements written so they hold up.
From the first offer letter to closing day.
What happens to an owner’s share when that owner leaves.
Negotiating and reviewing leases for business space.
Corporate governance and compliance
Keeping records, meetings and filings in order.
Employment agreements and non-competes
Hiring terms and limits after a job ends.
Commercial real estate transactions
Buying, selling and financing business property.
Passing a business to the next owner.
When a matter crosses practice lines
Legal problems do not always fit under one heading. A few common examples:
- A crash with an out-of-state trucking company can start as a truck accident claim in a Missouri court. Then the company may move it to federal court.
- A falling-out between LLC owners is a civil dispute. How it ends often depends on the operating agreement they signed years earlier.
- An insurer’s refusal to pay an injury claim can turn into a separate coverage dispute.
- Selling a business can call for a lease transfer, new employment agreements and a buy-sell agreement, all at the same closing.
One office handles all four areas. So you work with someone who sees those connections from the first meeting.
Start with the guides
Not sure what kind of problem you have? The legal guides are a good first stop. State court vs. federal court and Missouri small claims court explain where a case is filed. How long an injury case takes helps you know what to expect.
Common questions
What kinds of cases does the firm handle?
Personal injury, civil lawsuits, federal court cases, and business and corporate matters, as listed above. The attorney page explains how Mr. Padda works with clients.
My problem does not fit any of these pages. Should I still call?
Yes. Call or text (314) 314-9529 or use the contact page. Describe the problem briefly. The office will tell you whether it is something the firm handles.
Does the firm represent both sides of a dispute?
In civil and business disputes, the firm may represent either side, depending on the matter. In injury cases, it represents the injured person. Civil litigation explains the process.
How do I know whether my case belongs in federal court?
It usually depends on two things. Does your claim arise under federal law? Or are the two sides from different states, with more than $75,000 at stake? See diversity jurisdiction.
What does a consultation cost?
Injury consultations are free. Business matters start with a paid consultation. Contingency fees explained covers how injury fees work.
Related reading
Find the right starting point
Not sure which practice area fits? Call or text the office and tell us what happened.
4477 Woodson Rd
St. Louis, MO 63134
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. This page is general information, not legal advice, and reading it or contacting the office does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Sources
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120. Missouri Revisor of Statutes
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 482.305 (small claims jurisdiction). Missouri Revisor of Statutes
- 28 U.S.C. § 1331 (federal question jurisdiction). Cornell LII
- 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a) (diversity jurisdiction). Cornell LII
- 28 U.S.C. § 1441(a) (removal of civil actions). Cornell LII