Legal Glossary:
Civil Lawsuit

In a civil lawsuit, the victim brings a case for money damages against the offender or a third party for causing physical or emotional injuries. Regardless of the outcome of any criminal prosecution, or even if there was no prosecution, crime victims can file civil lawsuits against offenders and other responsible parties. The person who starts the lawsuit is called the plaintiff, and the person or entity against whom the case is brought is called the defendant. Unlike a criminal case, in which the central question is whether the offender is guilty of the crime, in a civil lawsuit, the question is whether an offender or a third party is responsible for the injuries suffered.

Contact New York City Accident Attorneys Goidel and Siegel for Legal Advice.
We handle personal injury cases exclusively, and our knowledge of this area of the law is extensive.
We have represented victims of serious accidents and assaults for more than 17 years.