Legal Definitions - CAUSE OF ACTION

A cause of action refers to a set of facts that give someone the right to sue another person in court. It is a situation where one person has been wronged by another and is seeking a remedy. This can include a violation of a person's rights, a threatened violation, or a situation where there is doubt about a duty or right that needs to be cleared up.

• After the car accident, Sarah had a cause of action against the other driver for damages to her car and injuries she sustained.
• John has a cause of action against his former employer for wrongful termination.
• A patient may have a cause of action against a doctor for medical malpractice if they were harmed by the doctor's negligence.

These examples illustrate how a person can have a cause of action when they have been wronged by another person or entity. In each case, the person has a legal basis for suing the other party and seeking a remedy in court.