A lawsuit is a civil legal action that’s brought by one person against another. It can be filed over injuries sustained in a car accident or contract dispute. The purpose of a lawsuit is to seek monetary damages and equitable relief from the defendant.

Lawsuits can be time-consuming and expensive. When you’re filing for a personal injury claim, make sure your case is valid. Also, it’s important to have the right insurance. If you don’t, the defendant may be able to undervalue your claim, so you won’t get the money you deserve.

In some cases, the court will award damages to cover lost income, advancement loss, or other damages. Damages can also cover future work days that were missed.

In order to file a lawsuit, the plaintiff must establish a legal basis for the court’s jurisdiction and the facts that give rise to the plaintiff’s claims. These facts are usually based on the plaintiff’s knowledge and information.

Once the complaint is served, the defendant must respond with an answer. This response gives the defendant notice of the plaintiff’s claims and affirmative defenses.

Before the facts can be determined by the court, the parties must reach an agreement on a fair settlement. This settlement defines the legal obligations of the parties. Sometimes, the parties settle before the lawsuit even goes to trial.

Once the lawsuit is concluded, the court will decide whether the plaintiff’s claims were justified. If the plaintiff was found to be right, the defendant must pay the judgment.