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 Minnesota, causes of action in civil litigation are the legal grounds on which a party can file a lawsuit. These causes of action are derived from a combination of state statutes, federal statutes, and common law (court opinions). For instance, a breach of contract claim arises when one party fails to fulfill their contractual obligations, and the aggrieved party may seek damages or specific performance. Fraud involves a willful misrepresentation of a material fact that results in harm to another party. Breach of fiduciary duty occurs when an individual who has a duty to act in another's best interest (such as a trustee or corporate director) fails to do so. Negligence is a cause of action that arises when someone fails to exercise a reasonable standard of care, resulting in harm to another person. Plaintiffs in Minnesota civil litigation can seek various remedies, including monetary damages, restitution, or injunctive relief, depending on the nature of the cause of action and the harm suffered.