A lawsuit is a legal proceeding in which one party seeks to recover money or property from another party. The parties involved can be individuals, organizations, or government agencies. The purpose of a lawsuit is to obtain the compensation the plaintiff is entitled to, such as money for medical bills, lost wages, or property damage. A lawsuit can also be filed to get retribution for a crime. The process can take anywhere from six months to years. A qualified attorney can help navigate the litigation process.

A lawsuit is filed when two or more legal parties cannot resolve their differences without resorting to litigation. The plaintiff files a lawsuit and serves it on the defendant. The complaint outlines the plaintiff’s legal claims and shows the court has jurisdiction over the case. A plaintiff then asks the court for relief – for example, money compensation, an order to stop the harming behavior, or even a declaration of legal rights. Usually, the plaintiff seeks a jury trial.

If a lawsuit is filed in a civil court, the plaintiff can seek monetary damages, injunctive relief, declaratory judgments, or other legal remedies. Many lawsuits involve multiple parties, such as third-party plaintiffs and defendants, and can determine a percentage of liability. The goal of a lawsuit is to settle a dispute between the parties, and the vast majority of lawsuits settle before going to trial. However, there are important steps to ensure that a lawsuit is filed properly.