lawsuit
A legal case in court where one person or group takes another to court to solve a problem or get money.
A legal case in which one person, group, or organization formally accuses another in a court of law and asks for a legal remedy, usually money or an order from the court.
- Base: lawsuit
- Plural: lawsuit, lawsuits
bring a lawsuit
1begin a lawsuit in court
To begin a lawsuit by taking another person or group to court.
- Several customers have brought a lawsuit against the bank over hidden fees.
- Environmental groups are bringing a lawsuit to stop the new mining project.
drop a lawsuit
1stop a lawsuit voluntarily
To decide not to continue a lawsuit and end it before the court makes a final judgment.
- He agreed to drop the lawsuit after receiving a formal apology.
- The organization dropped the lawsuit when the government changed the policy.
file a lawsuit
1officially start a court case
To officially start a lawsuit by giving legal papers to a court.
- The family plans to file a lawsuit against the hospital for negligence.
- He filed a lawsuit after the insurance company refused to pay for the damage.
lose a lawsuit
1be unsuccessful in a lawsuit
To not be successful in a lawsuit and have the court decide against you.
- The company lost the lawsuit and had to pay a large fine.
- If he loses the lawsuit, he may have to sell his house to cover the costs.
settle a lawsuit
1end a lawsuit by agreement
To end a lawsuit when the two sides reach an agreement, usually without a full trial.
- The company settled the lawsuit out of court for an undisclosed amount.
- They decided to settle the lawsuit rather than spend more money on lawyers.
threaten a lawsuit
1warn that you will sue
To say that you will start a lawsuit if the other side does not change something or pay money.
- Residents have threatened a lawsuit if the city goes ahead with the plan.
- Her lawyer threatened a lawsuit unless the newspaper printed a correction.
win a lawsuit
1succeed in a lawsuit
To be successful in a lawsuit and have the court decide in your favor.
- If they win the lawsuit, they could receive millions in damages.
- She won the lawsuit and cleared her name.