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Simple English definitions for legal terms
civil liability
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A quick definition of civil liability:
Civil liability is when someone has to pay for damages or follow court orders in a lawsuit. It's different from criminal liability, which is when the government punishes someone for breaking the law. In civil liability, a person sues another person for money or other help. For example, if someone gets hurt in a car accident, they can sue the driver for money to pay for their injuries. If the court decides the driver is responsible, they have to pay the injured person. This is called being "liable." The court doesn't send them to jail, though. The burden of proof is lower in civil liability cases than in criminal cases. This means it's easier to prove someone is responsible for something in a civil case than in a criminal case.
A more thorough explanation:
Civil liability is a legal responsibility that requires a person or organization to pay for damages or follow court orders in a lawsuit. It is different from criminal liability, which is brought by the government to punish someone for breaking the law. Civil liability is usually brought by a private party who has been harmed and wants to seek compensation or other remedies.
For example, if someone is injured in a car accident, they can sue the driver for damages. The injured party is the plaintiff, and the driver is the defendant. If the defendant is found liable, they will have to pay the plaintiff for their injuries and other damages.
Civil liability can be either contractual or tort liability. Contractual liability is when someone breaks a contract and is held responsible for the damages caused. Tort liability is when someone causes harm to another person or their property and is held responsible for the damages caused.
The burden of proof in a civil liability case is lower than in a criminal case. In a criminal case, the prosecution must prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In a civil case, the plaintiff only needs to prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence, which means that it is more likely than not that the defendant is responsible for the damages.
Overall, civil liability is a way for people to seek justice and compensation for harm caused by others.
- A person slips and falls in a grocery store because of a wet floor that was not marked. The person can sue the store for damages.
- A contractor fails to complete a construction project on time, causing the owner to lose money. The owner can sue the contractor for breach of contract.
- A doctor makes a mistake during surgery, causing the patient to suffer harm. The patient can sue the doctor for medical malpractice.
These examples illustrate how civil liability can be used to hold someone responsible for damages caused to another person. In each case, the plaintiff is seeking compensation for harm caused by the defendant's actions or negligence.