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Fraud is a serious crime in the Empire State. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most common. While fraud may fall into the category of “white-collar crime,” its effects can be devastating for victims. Individuals may lose thousands or even millions of dollars due to fraudulent business dealings or contracts. Thankfully, there are legal options available to victims of fraud in New York. While the legal process of suing someone for fraud can be quite complex, justice will be served if you take the correct approach.
The first step is to enlist the help of a qualified, experienced attorney. With a legal expert on your side, holding fraudulent individuals and entities accountable for their actions becomes much easier. These professionals can guide you through the entire process and help you achieve a positive legal outcome.
Fraud is Rampant in New York
Fraud is a serious issue in New York. It seems as though every time you read the news, someone is being sued for fraud in the Empire State. There were even people defrauding the healthcare system for millions of dollars during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York. The good news is that these situations are usually dealt with in a proper manner by the legal system.
In the case of the COVID-19 healthcare scam, two pharmacy owners were eventually charged with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. The lesson here is that you should always pursue legal action if you are the victim of fraud. When you hold these individuals accountable, you prevent them from harming more people in the future.
Civil Fraud vs. Criminal Fraud
Civil fraud and criminal fraud are actually two different crimes. While criminal fraud involves illegal activities, civil fraud may technically be legal. However, civil fraud can still cause significant harm to victims, which is why you are allowed to pursue a lawsuit against the guilty party through civil litigation.
How to Pursue a Civil Fraud Lawsuit
In order to pursue a civil fraud lawsuit, you need to prove that you suffered damages as a result of the defendant’s actions. These damages are usually in the form of monetary losses, although they may include other types of losses as well. Unlike a criminal fraud case, there is no need to prove guilt in a civil fraud lawsuit. Your attorney only needs to show that the defendant is liable for your damages.
That being said, you have the burden of proof in this situation. This means that you need to prove that the defendant’s actions clearly caused your damages. If you win a civil fraud lawsuit, the guilty party will be forced to compensate you for your losses. However, it is worth noting that they will not face any penalties beyond that, as this is a civil case and not a criminal case.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Lawyer Today
If you are the victim of fraud in New York, you do not need to simply sit back and accept your losses. Reach out to the Glassman Law Group today, and we can help you hold the guilty party accountable.