Location: California. Although that is the location of the lawsuit, most of my family and I not located in the USA.
I am potentially pursuing a co-ordinated lawsuit against a hospital. It would be a civil case including tort (false imprisonment, child abuse), sexual abuse, and maybe some other elements.
My question is could/would my family members or anyone else for that matter be forced to give a deposition? Does being in a different country affect that?
Comments
Yes. If they don’t it is contempt of court which means fines and jail time possible.
They can zoom a deposition, so location isn’t an issue.
Eta: just saw the not in the USA part… Ehh, that adds a big issue. They might not be able to ever come to the US if they get contempt charges on them. But not much the US can do to force it, though some countries are friendlier with the US and may allow it’s enforcement. International civil law is a pretty niche area.
Eta2: who ever wants to enforce the deposition would need a lawyer in that other county also. Gets expensive