cause of action

noun phrase

: the grounds (such as violation of a right) that entitle a plaintiff to bring a suit

Examples of cause of action in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Foster is suing Ball, MB1 Enterprises and Puma for federal and common law trademark infringement, trademark dilution, unfair business practices, fraud and concealment of facts and conversion (LaVar Ball is also included on the last cause of action). —Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023

For the breach of contract cause of action against Shakes and the intentional interference with contractual relations action against Kebe, Hart requests $90,000 in compensatory damages and attorney fees each. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 27 Dec. 2023

The cause of action listed in the suit is gender-motivated violence. —Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2023

The essence of Adolph’s lawsuit is to permit a specific cause of action to challenge this model. —David Astoria, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2023

Finally, the families of the donors may have a private cause of action against the recipient institution or against people who took the remains without permission. —Tanya D. Marsh, The Conversation, 30 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

cause of action

1

: the grounds (as violation of a right) that entitle a plaintiff to bring a suit

an amended pleading reiterating a cause of action for lost profits

—J. H. Friedenthal et al.

also : the part of a suit brought on those grounds

removed the cause of action to the district court

2

: right of action sense 1

the court, led by Justice Brennan, said Congress intended to provide a private cause of action

—National Law Journal