What are the elements of a prima facie case in civil litigation?

A prima facie case is a set of facts that, if proven, are sufficient to establish a court’s judgment in a civil lawsuit in litigation. To prove a prima facie case, the party bringing the case must present evidence to support the elements of the case. In New Jersey, the elements of a prima facie case are: 1. Duty: The defendant had a duty to act in a certain way or not to act at all. 2. Breach of Duty: The defendant breached this duty by either doing something they should not have done, or failing to do something they should have done. 3. Causation: The defendant’s actions or lack of action caused the plaintiff’s injury. 4. Injury: The plaintiff suffered a legally recognizable harm or loss as a result of defendant’s breach of duty. Additionally, the plaintiff must also prove that they are entitled to the remedy sought, usually monetary compensation. In sum, if the plaintiff is able to prove all of the elements of the prima facie case, the court will usually issue a judgment in favor of the plaintiff. It is important to note, however, that the burden of proof remains with the plaintiff throughout the process. If one element of the case is not proven, the court will likely deny the judgment.

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