Legal Definitions - lawsuit

A lawsuit is a legal action taken by one person or entity against another person or entity. It is a civil case that is decided in a court of law or equity. The person or entity who brings the lawsuit is called the plaintiff, and the person or entity being sued is called the defendant.

• A person who was injured in a car accident may file a lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident.
• A company that believes its intellectual property has been stolen may file a lawsuit against the alleged infringer.
• A landlord who is owed rent by a tenant who refuses to pay may file a lawsuit to collect the unpaid rent.

These examples illustrate how a lawsuit is a legal action taken by one party against another to seek a remedy for a perceived wrong. In each case, the plaintiff is seeking some form of compensation or relief from the defendant, and the case will be decided by a court of law or equity.