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

A prima facie case is an important concept in civil litigation law in New York. It is the initial burden of proof that needs to be met by the plaintiff to have the case heard by a court. In order to have a successful civil litigation case, the plaintiff must establish a prima facie case. There are four essential elements of a prima facie case. Firstly, a legal duty must be established. This means that there must be a legal responsibility or obligation between the plaintiff and the defendant that forms the basis of the case. Secondly, there must be evidence of a breach of that legal duty. This could be something like the defendant failing to carry out a contractual obligation or breaking the law. Thirdly, there must be evidence of damages suffered by the plaintiff as a result of the breach. Lastly, there must be evidence that the defendant’s breach of their legal duty caused the plaintiff’s damages. If the plaintiff can successfully establish a prima facie case during the early stages of a civil litigation case, the burden of proof will then shift to the defendant to prove their innocence or show why they should not be liable for damages. It is therefore essential for the plaintiff to establish a prima facie case in order to have a successful civil litigation case.

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

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