Then the court issues a process that is served upon you the defendant or many defendants. That process usually states that you must appear in court or file an answer. To help you understand more about the legal system, let's describe briefly some legal terms used in legal proceedings. Jurisdiction is the location where a malpractice lawsuit is to be considered.
State courts have jurisdiction over most malpractice cases.
Venue is the place where a given action will be heard. It is determined at the time the action is filed. Within a jurisdiction, venue is a particular place where the malpractice case is to be tried. In state courts, the issue is generally which county is the appropriate place for a jury trial. The plaintiff's attorney usually prefers a large metropolitan area while your attorney will prefer a small town, preferably your hometown.