Civil litigation describes the many different types of cases that are filed in trial courts to seek remedies for what can generally be called “civil” injuries. These wrongs, whether committed by individuals; corporations; municipal, local, state or federal entities, are redressed by the victims who act as the plaintiffs seeking remedies including money damages, injunctions and other remedies. Both parties, the plaintiff and defendant, are seeking what is commonly referred to as justice.

Justice simply means that what should be done will be done. In Oregon, and throughout the entire United States, citizens pride themselves on being able to protect family members, business practices, property interests, and other lawful interests from being hurt, injured, diminished, or the subject of interference by wrongdoers. Civil litigation is similar to chess. It is complicated, appears tedious and is generally more difficult to complete. Successful civil litigation usually may result in monetary recovery.

Typical civil litigation would include negligence cases, perhaps from automobile injuries or wrongful death; products liability cases; property disputes, including those relating to land or commercial and business activities. In a civil case, the plaintiff has the burden of proof, meaning that they are the ones responsible for bringing forth the largest part of the evidence in the case. The defendants are those accused of the wrongful act. The law may distribute the burden of proof between the parties depending on the appropriate statutes or controlling case law. This type of litigation is generally complicated and can be expensive, so there may be companies who have contracted to represent and defend potential civil litigants by corporations known as insurance carriers.