Legal Definitions - action, cause of

ACTION, CAUSE OF

When someone has a reason to take legal action against another person or entity, it is called a cause of action. It is the basis for a lawsuit or legal claim.

• A person who slips and falls on a wet floor in a grocery store may have a cause of action against the store for not putting up a warning sign.
• A patient who suffers harm due to a doctor's negligence may have a cause of action against the doctor for medical malpractice.

These examples illustrate how a cause of action can arise from a specific incident or situation where someone has been wronged or harmed in some way. It is the legal basis for seeking compensation or justice through the court system.