When a lawsuit starts with bad service, it doesn’t just waste time—it wastes money. Improper service can lead to case delays, legal fees, extra process server costs, and even complete dismissal—forcing the plaintiff to pay thousands in additional expenses or lose their case entirely.
Here’s how bad service drains a plaintiff’s wallet and turns a winning case into a financial disaster.
1. Paying for Repeat Service Attempts
If service is done incorrectly, the plaintiff must pay for additional attempts—each one adding to the overall cost.
Expenses for Reattempting Service:
Hiring another process server ($75–$300 per attempt).
Expedited service fees (extra $50–$150 per rush attempt).
Skip tracing to locate the defendant ($50–$500 if they’re evading service).
A single mistake can force multiple costly service attempts.
2. Attorney Fees for Fixing Service Mistakes
If service is challenged, the plaintiff must pay their attorney to defend or correct it.
Attorney Costs to Fix Improper Service:
Responding to a Motion to Quash Service ($250–$1,000 in legal fees).
Filing a motion for alternative service ($500–$2,000).
Appealing a dismissal due to improper service ($5,000+ in legal costs).
A plaintiff could spend thousands just trying to fix a process server’s mistake.
3. Court Costs for Delays & Additional Hearings
Every time a plaintiff has to go back to court to fix service, they must pay court-related costs.
Court Fees Due to Improper Service:
Filing fees for motions to correct service ($50–$500).
Hearing fees for service challenges ($100–$500 per hearing).
Reissuing court documents for reservice ($50–$200).
Each delay racks up more court fees and wasted time.
4. Losing a Default Judgment & Settlement Leverage
Improper service can give the defendant the upper hand—leading to lost settlements or overturned judgments.
Financial Losses Due to Improper Service:
Default judgments overturned – A plaintiff may have won by default, but if service was improper, the judgment can be thrown out.
Weaker settlement negotiations – If the defendant knows service was bad, they may refuse to settle or demand better terms.
Lost court-awarded damages – If a case is dismissed due to improper service, the plaintiff loses everything.
Winning a judgment means nothing if improper service lets the defendant escape it.
5. Paying Extra for Alternative Service Methods
If a defendant successfully challenges service, the court may order alternative service—which is often more expensive.
Common Alternative Service Costs:
Certified mail service ($30–$100 per attempt).
Publishing notice in a newspaper ($150–$500+).
Hiring a special court-appointed process server ($500–$2,000+).
The more complicated service becomes, the more it costs the plaintiff.
6. Case Dismissal = Losing the Entire Lawsuit
If improper service causes the case to be dismissed and the statute of limitations expires, the plaintiff loses everything.
Financial Losses from Case Dismissal:
Lost legal claim – The plaintiff can’t refile and loses all potential compensation.
Legal costs already paid – Court filing fees, attorney costs, and process serving fees go to waste.
Time lost – The months or years spent preparing the case amount to nothing.
If the statute of limitations expires before service is corrected, the plaintiff is financially ruined.
7. Potential Liability for Frivolous or Abusive Litigation
If a plaintiff knowingly relies on improper service, they may be penalized for abusing the legal process.
Potential Financial Penalties for Abusive Service Attempts:
Court sanctions for improper service ($1,000–$10,000 fines).
Attorney’s fees awarded to the defendant (plaintiff may have to pay the defendant’s legal costs).
Bar complaints against the plaintiff’s attorney (which could add even more legal expenses).
Trying to push a case forward with bad service can backfire—and cost the plaintiff even more.
Total Cost Breakdown of Improper Service for a Plaintiff
| Repeat service attempts | $75–$300 per attempt |
| Expedited or rush service | $50–$150 extra per attempt |
| Skip tracing for evasive defendants | $50–$500 |
| Attorney fees to correct service | $250–$5,000+ |
| Court motion filing fees | $50–$500 |
| Hearing fees for service challenges | $100–$500 per hearing |
| Alternative service methods (mail, publication) | $30–$2,000+ |
| Losing a default judgment | Potentially $10,000s to $100,000s |
| Case dismissal due to service errors | Entire lawsuit lost |
| Court sanctions for improper service | $1,000–$10,000 |
| Paying defendant’s legal fees (if sanctioned) | $2,000–$15,000+ |
Total Potential Financial Damage: $5,000–$100,000+ or Complete Loss of Case
Final Takeaway: Improper Service Can Destroy a Plaintiff Financially
Bad service doesn’t just delay a lawsuit—it can cost the plaintiff thousands, ruin settlement opportunities, and even cause the case to be permanently dismissed.
How Improper Service Drains a Plaintiff’s Finances:
Paying for repeated service attempts.
Spending more on attorney fees to fix mistakes.
Losing settlement leverage or default judgments.
Court fees for delays, hearings, and alternative service.
Facing complete case dismissal—losing all damages sought.
Potential fines, sanctions, or liability for wrongful service.
Explore These Related Topics:
🔹 Most Common Reasons for Improper Service and How It Can Ruin a Case
Identify frequent service errors that can lead to case complications and financial burdens.
🔹 How Improper Service Can Lead to the Dismissal of a Case
Understand why courts dismiss cases due to service mistakes and how to prevent it.
🔹 How to Prove Improper Service and Challenge It in Court
Learn how to contest faulty service and avoid unnecessary legal costs.
🔹 How Improper Service Can Kill a Lawsuit by Running Out the Statute of Limitations
Discover how improper service delays can cause lawsuits to expire before reaching court.
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Phone: +1 (602) 675-2333
Email: service@processserver.io
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