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 Mississippi, causes of action in civil litigation are the legal grounds on which a plaintiff bases their lawsuit to seek remedies such as monetary compensation, restitution, or injunctive relief. These causes of action can arise from breaches of legal duties or violations of rights established by Mississippi state statutes or federal laws, as well as from precedents set by court opinions, which constitute common law. Common examples of causes of action in Mississippi include breach of contract, where one party fails to fulfill their contractual obligations; fraud, involving intentional deception for personal gain; breach of fiduciary duty, where a party violates the trust placed in them by another; and negligence, where a party's failure to exercise reasonable care causes harm to another. The specific elements and requirements for each cause of action are detailed in the relevant statutes or case law, and an attorney can provide guidance on the applicability and strength of a particular claim in a lawsuit.