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 New Hampshire, causes of action in civil litigation are the legal grounds on which a plaintiff bases their lawsuit to seek remedies such as monetary compensation, the return of property, or injunctive relief. Common causes of action include breach of contract, where one party fails to fulfill the terms of a contract; fraud, involving intentional deception for personal gain; breach of fiduciary duty, where an individual fails to act in the best interest of another while in a position of trust; and negligence, where a party's failure to exercise reasonable care causes harm. These claims can be found in New Hampshire statutes, such as the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA), or can arise from common law, which is law developed through court decisions over time. When filing a lawsuit, an attorney must identify the appropriate cause of action based on the specific facts of the case and the applicable law, whether statutory or common law.