Causes of action in civil litigation are specific claims provided by law that serve as the basis for parties to a lawsuit to recover money or property from each other—or to provide other legal or equitable relief, such as a court order requiring or prohibiting some act (injunctive relief). Examples of causes of action include breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and negligence. Causes of action (also called claims) are usually located in a state or federal statute, or in court opinions (common law).

In Iowa, causes of action in civil litigation are the legal grounds on which a party files a lawsuit to seek relief, such as monetary compensation or injunctive relief. These causes of action can arise from breaches of contract, where one party fails to fulfill their contractual obligations; fraud, where one party intentionally deceives another; breach of fiduciary duty, where an individual fails to act in the best interest of another whom they owe a duty to; and negligence, where one party's failure to exercise reasonable care causes harm to another. Iowa recognizes causes of action based on both state statutes and common law, which is law derived from court decisions. For instance, the Iowa Code contains specific statutes that outline various causes of action, such as those related to personal injury or property damage, while common law causes of action are developed through judicial opinions over time. It is important for parties to identify the correct legal basis for their claim, as it affects the type of relief they may be entitled to and the legal strategy they should employ. An attorney can help identify the applicable causes of action and navigate the complexities of Iowa's legal system.