A lawsuit is a court action initiated by a plaintiff who wants to hold a defendant accountable for an injury. The plaintiff files a complaint with the court and delivers a copy to the defendant. The complaint describes what happened and why the plaintiff wants to hold the defendant accountable. It may also seek monetary compensation or an injunction.

Even minor injuries can quickly add up, and severe injuries can require surgery, prolonged hospital stays, and critical care. In addition, these injuries may cause permanent disabilities that require ongoing treatment, the use of special adaptive devices, and lifelong nursing care. In such cases, it is important to seek the compensation that you are entitled to.

The steps to file a lawsuit vary by state, but the process is generally the same. The plaintiff lists all of the facts in the lawsuit and asks the court to award them compensation for their suffering. In order to win compensation, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant acted negligently or carelessly. A plaintiff also must include a prayer for relief in the complaint.

After the plaintiff and defendant have presented their evidence, the jury decides whether to award damages. In some cases, the plaintiff presents rebuttal evidence after the defendant has finished. The parties then give closing arguments. After the closing arguments, the court will instruct the jury on the applicable law.