L O N G E S T P H A S E I N A C A S E ’ S L I F E

DISCOVERY

By: Mary Barnes

TIMELINE

Pre-lit

Complaint & Answer

Discovery!

Mediation

Trial

1 . PLAIN OL ’ DISCOVERY

2 . EXPERT DISCOVERY

Genres

1 . W R I T T E N

2 . O R A L

3 . S I T E I N S P E C T I O N S

4 . P H Y S I C A L & M E N T A L E X A M I N A T I O N S

5 . S U B P O E N A S

Types of Discovery

START!! STOP!!

10* days after service of summons/complaint

30* days before trial

Timing

*There are exceptions!!

1stTYPE OF DISCOVERY

WRITTEN DISCOVERY

1. FROGs

2. SPROGs

3. RFAs

4. RFPDs

Tennis Match

PLAINTIFF DEFENDANT

Form

Interrogatories

Responses to

Plaintiff’s Frogs

TENNIS MATCH

DEFENDANT PLAINTIFF

Form

Interrogatories

Responses to

Defendant’s Frogs

TENNIS MATCH

2ndTYPE OF DISCOVERY

ORAL

DISCOVERY

1. DEPOSITIONS

3rdTYPE OF DISCOVERY

SITE INSPECTIONS

Examples:

Scene of Incident

Things Involved in Incident

HYBRID TYPE OF DISCOVERYAttorney and/or Expert Attends

4thTYPE OF DISCOVERY

PHYSICAL or MENTAL

EXAMINATIONS

RULES:

1. Defendant is entitled to only 1examination;

2. Condition must be at issue or in controversy

5thTYPE OF DISCOVERY

SUBPOENAS

1. Deposition

2. Deposition + Documents

3. Trial Testimony

4. Trial Testimony + Documents

Examples:

Plaintiff’s Medical Records

Witness Deposition