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 South Carolina, 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 a party with a duty to act in another's best interest fails to do so; and negligence, where a party's failure to exercise reasonable care causes harm. These claims can be found in South Carolina's state statutes, such as the South Carolina Code of Laws, and are also derived from common law, which is based on court decisions and precedents. An attorney can help identify the specific statutes or common law principles that apply to a particular case and can provide guidance on the legal requirements and potential remedies available under South Carolina law.