What is involved in a pleading?

During pleading, the plaintiff submits a complaint to the court alleging injury caused by the named defendant. Once the defendant receives the complaint, it has a specified amount of time to file its answer. The defendant may also file a motion to dismiss, which must show that even if the allegations made in the complaint are true, the law does not sup- port liability. Motions to dismiss are rarely granted and, when there is a deficiency, it is common for courts to allow plaintiffs to amend their complaints. Here, well before the lawsuit goes to trial, legal fees and expenses start adding up.