What is a civil case?

A civil case is a lawsuit taken out by one person or group against another. It is distinct from a criminal case, which is pursued by the government. In Washington, civil cases are typically handled by the Supreme Court, Superior Courts, or District Courts. In a civil case, a plaintiff (the person or group taking out the lawsuit) must prove their claim against the defendant (the person or group being sued) in order to win the case. Generally, the plaintiff must show that the defendant did something wrong, and that the plaintiff was harmed by this action. If the plaintiff succeeds in proving their case, the judge or jury may award the plaintiff money as a form of compensation for the harm they suffered, or may order the defendant to take an action, such as return money that was wrongfully taken, or stop an activity that is causing harm. The defendant may also be required to pay the plaintiff’s legal costs for bringing the case. Typically, civil cases involve matters related to accident law, such as personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability, and wrongful death. In Washington, the statute of limitations for filing a civil case is three years from the time of the accident or from the time the harm was discovered.

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