{"id":392883,"date":"2026-02-22T16:07:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T21:07:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=392883"},"modified":"2026-02-22T15:59:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T20:59:49","slug":"what-does-cause-of-action-mean","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/what-does-cause-of-action-mean.html","title":{"rendered":"What Does “Cause of Action” Mean?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Does "Cause of Action" Mean?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

A cause of action<\/span> is a set of facts<\/span> and legal grounds for a person to seek a legal remedy<\/span>. The grounds can arise from a state statute or case law<\/span>. The legal remedy<\/span> can be in the form of money, specific performance, restitution, or an injunction.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Before you can file a lawsuit, you must have a \u201ccause of action<\/span>.\u201d In simple terms, a cause of action<\/span> is the reason why you need to go to court and why the judge should rule in your favor.<\/p>\n

As with any legal issue<\/span>, there is more to a cause of action<\/span> than just wanting to win your case in court. In order to prove your case, you must have a specific <\/span>cause of action<\/span> that meets the legal elements of your case and provides the grounds for the remedy you seek.<\/p>\n

If you aren’t sure whether you can sue, get legal advice. A litigation attorney<\/a> can review your case to determine whether you have a cause of action.<\/p>\n

Elements of a Cause of Action<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

In legal terms, a cause of action<\/span> is a set of facts<\/span> that allows a claimant a legal remedy<\/span>. The facts needed for a specific <\/span>cause of action<\/span> may come from a state statute<\/a>, case law<\/span><\/a> or judicial precedent<\/span>, regulations, or common law<\/span><\/a>. This is sometimes called the legal theory<\/span> or legal basis<\/span> for a complaint.<\/p>\n

The circumstances of your particular case must meet all the elements of the legal theory<\/span>. For example, in a breach of contract<\/span> case<\/a>, your cause of action<\/span> must explain that you had a contract and the other party failed in their duty in some way.<\/p>\n

A cause of action<\/span> must have a legal remedy<\/span>. When you ask the court for relief, your pleading must ask for a specific result, usually monetary<\/a> or injunctive relief<\/a>. If you fail to ask for a remedy or ask for something the court cannot provide, a judge may dismiss your case for failure to state a request for relief.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s examine the elements that your cause of action<\/span> should include.<\/p>\n

Legal Theory<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The legal theory<\/span> is the set of elements or factors that you must prove to win your case. In tort<\/span> law<\/a>, all civil <\/span>causes of action<\/span> must prove each element for the case to succeed.<\/p>\n

For example, a breach of contract<\/span> suit must show that:<\/p>\n