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 Utah, 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, or from torts, such as negligence or fraud, where one party's wrongful conduct causes harm to another. Additionally, breach of fiduciary duty occurs when an individual who has a duty to act in another's best interest fails to do so. Utah's causes of action are governed by both state statutes and decisions from state and federal courts, which establish legal precedents. For instance, the Utah Code provides specific statutes that outline the elements required for various claims, while court opinions interpret these statutes and create common law principles that can also serve as a basis for civil claims. An attorney can help identify the appropriate cause of action based on the facts of a case and the applicable law.