Things You Can Sue for in Civil Court Explained
Explore the range of legal issues that can be addressed through civil court, from everyday disputes to more complex personal claims.
Most legal disputes outside the criminal justice system unfold in civil court. These cases typically involve one party seeking compensation or another remedy from a party they claim has wronged them. Civil lawsuits encompass a wide spectrum, from straightforward disagreements to complex litigation with significant financial implications. Understanding the types of claims suitable for civil court is essential for anyone considering legal action or seeking clarity on their rights.
Personal Injury
Personal injury claims represent a major category of civil litigation. Such cases arise when an individual suffers physical, mental, or emotional harm, and another person or entity may bear legal responsibility.1Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. Personal Injury The primary goal of personal injury law is to allow the injured party to seek compensation for losses resulting from someone else’s conduct or failure to act.
Negligence is the most frequent basis for these claims. It involves the failure to exercise the reasonable care expected under the circumstances, leading to harm. To succeed, the injured party (plaintiff) must typically prove the party being sued (defendant) owed a duty of care, breached that duty, directly caused the injury, and resulted in actual damages. For example, a driver who causes a collision while texting has likely breached their duty to operate a vehicle safely.
Personal injury suits can also result from intentional acts, like assault, or situations involving strict liability, where fault need not be proven, such as injuries from defective products. In all instances, the key issues are establishing who is legally responsible (liability) and demonstrating the extent of the harm suffered (damages).
Harm can range from physical injuries sustained in car accidents or falls on unsafe property to emotional distress. The objective is usually monetary compensation (damages) to cover medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and related costs, aiming to restore the injured person financially to their pre-injury state.
Defamation
Civil courts also address harm to reputation through defamation lawsuits. Defamation involves a false statement made by one party about another that damages the subject’s reputation.2Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. Defamation The law recognizes the value of a good name and provides recourse when false statements cause injury. Defamation includes libel (written or published false statements, including online) and slander (spoken false statements).
To win a defamation case, the plaintiff must generally show several things. A false statement purporting to be fact must have been made about them. This statement must be presented as fact, not opinion, as opinions are typically protected speech. The statement must also have been “published,” meaning communicated to at least one third party.
The plaintiff usually needs to demonstrate fault on the part of the defendant. For private individuals, this often means proving negligence – that the defendant did not exercise reasonable care in checking the statement’s truthfulness. Public officials and figures face a higher standard, established in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan. They must prove “actual malice”: that the defendant knew the statement was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. This standard protects public debate.
Finally, the plaintiff must prove the false statement caused actual harm to their reputation, such as damage to their community standing, business losses, or significant personal distress. In certain cases involving statements considered inherently harmful (like false accusations of serious crime or professional incompetence), damage might be presumed, although proving specific harm is increasingly common.
Breach of Contract
Disputes over broken agreements, known legally as breach of contract, are frequently resolved in civil court. A contract is a legally enforceable agreement creating mutual obligations. It can be written, oral, or implied by actions, though some contracts (like those for real estate) generally must be in writing. A breach occurs when one party fails to fulfill their contractual duties without a valid legal excuse.
A party believing a contract was breached can sue to enforce it or seek compensation. To succeed, the plaintiff must typically show a valid contract existed (involving an offer, acceptance, and exchange of value, known as consideration). They must also demonstrate they met their own obligations or had a valid reason for not doing so.
The core of the claim involves proving the defendant failed to perform their part of the agreement. This could mean not completing work, delivering substandard goods, failing to pay, or violating other terms. The breach might be a complete failure or only partial non-performance.
The plaintiff must also show they suffered losses due to the defendant’s breach, usually financial harm representing the expected benefit had the contract been fulfilled. The goal of the lawsuit is typically to place the non-breaching party in the financial position they would have occupied if the contract had been honored, often through monetary damages.
Property Disputes
Civil courts often handle disagreements over real property (land and attached structures) and personal property (movable items). These disputes involve conflicting claims about ownership, use, boundaries, or access, arising between neighbors, family members, or individuals and government entities.
Boundary line disagreements are common, occurring when adjacent property owners dispute the exact location separating their properties, often triggered by fences or landscaping near the perceived line. Resolution may involve examining deeds and commissioning professional land surveys.
Litigation frequently involves easements, which grant a legal right to use part of another’s land for a specific purpose, like access or utility lines. Disputes can arise over the scope of use, obstruction, or maintenance responsibilities. Courts may interpret easement terms or determine if one exists.
Nuisance claims address unreasonable interference with the use and enjoyment of property, such as excessive noise or pollution. Courts assess the severity and nature of the interference to determine if it warrants a legal remedy, like an injunction or monetary damages. Trespass actions deal with unauthorized physical entry onto someone’s land.
Civil courts also resolve disputes over property ownership (title). Conflicts can arise from inheritance issues, foreclosure sales, errors in ownership records, or claims based on long-term occupation (adverse possession). An action to “quiet title” asks the court to definitively determine the rightful owner and resolve ambiguities.3Investopedia. Quiet Title Action: Definition and How It Works Remedies often include court orders clarifying rights, injunctions stopping wrongful actions, or damages for harm to the property or its use.
Employment Discrimination
Individuals facing unfair treatment in the workplace due to protected characteristics can seek recourse in civil court through employment discrimination claims. Federal laws provide baseline protections.4U.S. Department of Justice. Laws We Enforce Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation), or national origin in hiring, firing, pay, promotions, and other employment aspects.5U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Other federal laws expand these protections. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects individuals aged 40 and older from age-based discrimination.6U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Age Discrimination The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations unless it causes undue hardship.7U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The ADA: Your Employment Rights as an Individual With a Disability These laws define “protected classes” shielded from adverse employment actions based on inherent traits.
Discrimination claims generally fall into two types: disparate treatment and disparate impact. Disparate treatment is intentional discrimination, where an employer treats someone less favorably due to a protected characteristic (e.g., refusing to hire based on race). Proving this usually involves showing the individual belongs to a protected class, was qualified, suffered an adverse action, and circumstances suggest discrimination.
Disparate impact involves seemingly neutral policies that disproportionately harm a protected class and are not justified by business necessity. This doesn’t require proof of intent. For example, a physical test might unintentionally screen out more women. If a policy has such an impact, the employer must prove it’s job-related and necessary. Even then, it might be unlawful if a less discriminatory alternative exists.
Before filing a lawsuit under federal laws like Title VII, ADA, or ADEA, individuals must typically file a “charge of discrimination” with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or a state equivalent.8U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Filing a Charge of Discrimination This administrative step has strict deadlines (usually 180 or 300 days from the discriminatory act). The EEOC may investigate, mediate, or issue a “Notice of Right to Sue,” allowing the individual 90 days to file in court. Failure to follow these steps can lead to dismissal, though the requirement can be waived if not raised promptly by the employer.
If discrimination is proven in court, remedies aim to make the victim whole. Common relief includes back pay, front pay (for future lost earnings), and injunctive relief (orders for hiring, reinstatement, promotion, or policy changes). Compensatory damages (for emotional distress) and punitive damages (to punish malicious conduct) may be available for intentional discrimination under Title VII and ADA, subject to caps. Liquidated damages may be awarded for willful ADEA violations. Attorney’s fees and costs might also be recovered.
Landlord-Tenant Conflicts
Civil courts are a common venue for resolving disputes between landlords and tenants, typically concerning lease agreements and housing laws. Both parties can initiate lawsuits to address alleged violations of rights or obligations.
Tenants often sue over the property’s condition, invoking the “implied warranty of habitability.” This legal principle requires landlords to maintain rental properties in a safe and livable state, ensuring essentials like working plumbing, heat, and structural safety. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after proper notice, a tenant might sue for remedies such as a court order for repairs, rent reduction (abatement), or compensation for damages. Some areas allow tenants to arrange repairs and deduct costs from rent under specific procedures.
Security deposit disputes are another frequent issue. Laws regulate deposit amounts, permissible deductions (usually for unpaid rent or damage beyond “ordinary wear and tear”), and return timelines (often 14-45 days post-tenancy). Landlords must typically provide an itemized list of deductions. Tenants can sue to recover improperly withheld deposits, potentially receiving double or triple the amount in some jurisdictions if the withholding was in bad faith.
Tenants may also sue for wrongful eviction if a landlord attempts to force them out without following legal procedures (like changing locks or shutting off utilities, known as “self-help” eviction) or if the eviction is retaliatory (e.g., initiated after a tenant reported a code violation). Remedies can include damages for the illegal lockout and court costs.
Landlords must respect tenant privacy. While entry is allowed for valid reasons (emergencies, repairs, showings), laws usually require reasonable advance notice (often 24 hours) and entry at reasonable times. Repeated or improper entries can violate a tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment, potentially leading to a lawsuit seeking damages or an injunction.
Conversely, landlords use civil court primarily to address non-payment of rent. They can sue for the overdue amount and seek an eviction order after providing the tenant with legally required written notice (e.g., a “Notice to Pay Rent or Quit”). Landlords may also sue for property damage exceeding normal wear and tear, seeking repair costs beyond the security deposit. Other grounds for landlord lawsuits include tenants remaining after lease expiration (holding over) or significantly violating other lease terms, potentially leading to eviction and damages.
Product Liability
