A lawsuit is not just the result of someone being unhappy or disagreeing with someone. To proceed with a case, a person needs to prove he or she was personally injured in a recognizable manner, according to the courts.
This legal requirement is known as “standing to sue.” It involves a close tie to the controversy, and the claimant will have to demonstrate actual, not hypothetical, damages.
Article III of the U.S. Constitution provides that federal courts can only hear real “cases” or “controversies.” The rule bars courts from considering arguments of a political or speculative nature.
What Must Someone Prove?
There are normally three elements that a court considers in granting a lawsuit:
- Injury in fact
- Causation
- Redressability
In Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife, 504 U.S. 555 (1992), the U.S. Supreme Court outlined these standards.
Injury in Fact
Someone has to demonstrate that he or she was actually injured. The damage can be physical, financial, emotional, or reputational.
For instance, a person who has suffered injuries in a distracted driving accident might have a claim due to medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering. If you filed a personal injury lawsuit, you’ll likely start with evidence that demonstrates the impact the injury had on the victim’s life.
Causation Connects the Harm
The injury must also be a result of the defendant’s actions. This is not a claim courts are likely to uphold because it is based on assumptions or weak links.
Now, think of a grocery store turning a blind eye to a freezer leak for several hours, and the customer gets wet. If this unsafe condition is the source of the injury, the customer may have a claim for a lawsuit.
Courts Need a Possible Remedy
A lawsuit needs a problem that the court can solve. Judges may ask if there is any real relief that could be offered by a decision.
Possible remedies include:
- Financial compensation
- Compensation for treatment expenses
- Property replacement
- The court orders to cease and desist the hurtful action(s)
If the court has no viable option, the case can be dismissed.
Can Someone File a Lawsuit for Another Person?
In certain instances, yes. Parents can file a lawsuit on behalf of an injured child. The executors may stand in place of the deceased family members when making a wrongful death case. Businesses can also be liable in a lawsuit.
Generally, these cases are filed under state law. Errors in filing a claim, for instance, under wrongful death laws, may limit claims to the close family or the estate’s representatives. If no authority is issued, courts can rule that the lawsuit is not worth pursuing.
Why Do Courts Reject Some Lawsuits?
Not all complaints qualify for court. Standing is also a common defense against cases before judges.
Common reasons include:
- No injuries to the person
- Harm based on future possibilities
- Subsequent actions after the statute of limitations has expired
- Suing the right party
- If you cannot legally represent another person
There is also the federal rule of civil procedure 12(b)(1) that provides for dismissal if the court has no jurisdiction.
Key Takeaways
- An individual can only file a lawsuit when there is actual damage.
- Standing is the three-part test that must be met for injury and causation to be possible for legal relief.
- Article III restricts the jurisdiction of courts to actual conflicts.
- The court dismisses speculative or indirect claims.
- In some instances, parents and executors can sue.
- Wrongful death claims are frequently subject to state laws.
- Standing rules are meant to ensure the court can focus on legitimate legal issues.
