I Served Simply Because My Name Was The Same As That Of A Company Owner.

In July of 2024, I was served by a process server for a trucking company in the city I live in. I do not know the company and I am in no way associated with the company. I simply have the same name as the owner of the company. The process server showed me the list of people with the same name as me and he said simply I was the unlucky winner since I was home. He said the others didn't answer.
Anyway, I contacted the lawyer who sent the summons explained the mistake, and offered evidence showing I was not the right person. I said I can prove it by paycheck stubs and tax returns. They can call and verify my employment.

In July of 2024, I contacted the lawyer and informed them of the mistake. They responded with "We will issue a new one for the correct Jeremy Green and inform the court the Summons to you was issued in error."

When asked if my summons was withdrawn The lawyer replied: "We are working on this. Please be aware that it does take time, but you may retain this email as confirmation, we acknowledge receipt of your statement of being the incorrect individual while we get the withdrawal filed."

The lawyer responded and said I could disregard it and they would withdraw the summons and keep the email as record.

Months went by and I never heard anything else. Until today. I received a minute order and notice of trial.

I contacted the lawyer again and he responded with I do apologize for that that. In CA the courts make it very difficult to remove a name once it’s been submitted. You may retain this email as confirmation that the individual we are seeking service on and who the complaint against is a"name of person" of "name of company". If you and this person are not the same individual, you may ignore the TSC you received. The court will automatically mail things out to the last address in their system.

I make a very modest living and I live 1600 miles away from California. I have never been to this place and cannot afford to hire an attorney in CA (or anywhere for that matter). I contacted Legal Aid for advice and was told they could not help me.

I am at a loss for what to do next. Do I trust the lawyer or do I hire my own? If I hire my own, can I sue them for legal expenses?

Update: I just received an email from the lawyer:

"I’m currently researching the way to get the court to allow us to take your name off without having to file service for the other individual.

We’re talking to some of the people that we know who are inside the courts in California to see if they have a way to help us

I may need a letter from you or something else. I will let you know what I need as soon as I find a way to help you."