What is a cause of action in civil law?

In civil law, a cause of action is a legal term referring to the set of facts or circumstances that gives a person or entity the right to pursue a claim for injury or damages in a civil lawsuit. In Texas, a plaintiff must prove the elements of the claim in order to establish a cause of action, which is often referred to as the “elements of a prima facie case.” These elements typically include: the defendant’s obligation to the plaintiff, the defendant’s breach of that obligation, damages, and causation. For example, if a person was injured in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, the injured person may have a cause of action to sue the other driver for damages. In order to establish a cause of action, the injured person must be able to prove that the other driver had a duty to exercise reasonable care, that the other driver breached that duty, that the breach of that duty caused the injury, and that the injury resulted in damages. In the event that all of the elements of a cause of action can be proven, the plaintiff may be able to obtain relief in the form of monetary damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. A defendant can also be required to take corrective action, such as returning property or paying restitution for any wrongdoing. Ultimately, a cause of action is the basis for a civil lawsuit and the pathway for seeking justice in civil court.

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What is a cause of action in civil law?

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