How should you handle frivolous lawsuits?

Question

If a company decides they want to throw money at you just to harass you, but they have no legitimate case against you, is there anything you can do? Or can they force you into spending money in legal fees and travel (if the suit is in another state, for example)?

Answer 1

You have to do everything to protect yourself or they will win by default.   Only the Court can decide if the matter is frivolous, in the meantime, depending on what is at steak, you might not be able to afford not to legally protect yourself and hire a lawyer and ask for them to pay your legal fees and expenses as the matter is frivolous.

Answer 2

Yes, people and companies can and do use lawyers and lawsuits to change the behavior of others, both for legitimate and illegitimate purposes.  

Answer 3

The rules of civil procedure have remedies for "frivolous" lawsuits but the court's notion of what is frivolous may be different from yours.  If you can prove that a plaintiff decided to sue "just to harass you" then your claim is for abuse of process.  Your opinion of someone's motivation, however, is not actual evidence.