What is a cause of action in civil law?

A cause of action in civil law is a legal claim asserted in a lawsuit, which is typically based on a breach of legal duty owed to a plaintiff. Through this legal claim, the plaintiff is seeking redress from the defendant. An example of a legal duty in Minnesota is the duty of reasonable care. This is a duty to exercise reasonable care while performing some activity so as to not cause harm to another person. When a breach of a legal duty occurs, the plaintiff may have a cause of action against the defendant. In Minnesota, a plaintiff may seek relief in the form of compensatory damages, which are damages meant to compensate them for the harm suffered. Additionally, punitive damages may be available if the defendant’s conduct was especially harsh, willful, or negligent. Typically, for a cause of action in civil law to exist, there must be a relationship between the plaintiff and defendant and some injury suffered by the plaintiff as a result of the defendant’s breach of duty. Additionally, it must be proven that the breach of duty is the proximate cause of the harm suffered by the plaintiff. In Minnesota, a plaintiff may bring a civil lawsuit in either state court or federal court. A successful plaintiff may be awarded both compensatory and punitive damages.

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