Civil Action

What Does Civil Action Mean?

A civil action is a legal action brought by one private citizen against another. This differs from a criminal action, in which a citizen is tried by the state. In the context of insurance, an individual may receive financial assistance for legal fees or legal representation for a civil action if they have liability insurance.

Insuranceopedia Explains Civil Action

A civil action can be initiated when one person claims that another has violated their rights. This differs from a criminal action, where the state prosecutes an individual for alleged wrongdoing. In a criminal case, a government lawyer is assigned against the defendant, while private lawyers are typically hired in civil cases.

An action can be classified as both a civil and a criminal offense. For example, if a man has his fingers broken due to an attack by another person, the assailant could be charged by the state with assault. Additionally, the injured man might pursue a civil action against the assailant to seek compensation, especially if, for instance, he is a pianist and the broken fingers jeopardize his career.

Liability insurance can be purchased to cover legal fees for civil actions and provide legal representation. For businesses, a general liability insurance policy typically covers the cost of defending against civil suits brought by third parties, including claims for bodily injury or property damage. Professionals like doctors, lawyers, and consultants may also need professional liability insurance, which covers civil actions arising from alleged errors or negligence in their work.