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Civil litigation in background checks?

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AlexB18

Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Doesn't matter

I was wondering what kind of experiences people had with civil litigation showing up on background checks. Do most companies do these types of searches? I was the plaintiff in a case that ended in a favorable settlement. However, some of the issues that were brought up in the initial complaint could be damaging to me.
 


sandyclaus

Senior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Doesn't matter

I was wondering what kind of experiences people had with civil litigation showing up on background checks. Do most companies do these types of searches? I was the plaintiff in a case that ended in a favorable settlement. However, some of the issues that were brought up in the initial complaint could be damaging to me.

I don't see how something like that would be relevant unless you actually had a judgement issued against you, or someone is specifically LOOKING for lawsuits filed either by or against you on a particular subject matter.

Keep in mind that the court files would be considered public records. If someone really wants to look that information up, ALL of what is contained in there would be fair game to whoever finds it.
 

AlexB18

Member
I don't see how something like that would be relevant unless you actually had a judgement issued against you, or someone is specifically LOOKING for lawsuits filed either by or against you on a particular subject matter.

Keep in mind that the court files would be considered public records. If someone really wants to look that information up, ALL of what is contained in there would be fair game to whoever finds it.

It just brings up false allegations that someone tried to file against me administratively to sabotage me. The issues were resolved, but I decided to go after them for defamation and interference w/ a contract and what not.
 

sandyclaus

Senior Member
The state actually matters, as there are all sorts of reasons why you might show up in a particular database for having had a court case. Here's just one possibility:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/08/garden/turf-a-blacklist-for-renters.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm

I can certainly understand civil litigation filings in LL/tenant eviction cases being checked, because the ones who usually check these kinds of litigation filings have an interest in the outcome for their own rental screening.

I think that OP's concern is something else entirely, i.e., not having to do with a LL/T issue or eviction.
 

You Are Guilty

Senior Member
Background checks are just one obvious example. There are many other reasons people might check court records. And some will not care whether a party prevailed or not and are only concerned that there was a court action. (Apparently, being litigious can be just as bad as being sued in some people's eyes.)

The original question is so broad it cannot be answered.
 

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