What Does It Actually Mean to Sue Someone?
By Trinity Barnette
A breakdown of civil lawsuits, from the filing to the final judgment—and everything in between.
So, What Does It Even Mean to Sue?
To “sue” someone means to file a civil lawsuit against them in court. It’s not just a dramatic TV line—it’s a real legal process. When you sue, you’re basically telling the court, “Hey, I’ve been harmed, and I want compensation or justice for it.” This harm could be physical, emotional, financial, reputational, or even about your rights being violated.
Unlike criminal cases—where the state brings charges against someone for breaking the law—civil lawsuits are disputes between individuals or organizations. They typically involve things like:
Personal injury (e.g., car accidents, medical malpractice)
Breach of contract
Defamation or slander
Sexual assault (yes, survivors can sue in civil court too)
Property disputes
Employment discrimination
Think of it this way: Criminal cases can land someone in jail. Civil cases can make them pay.
What Actually Starts a Lawsuit?
A civil lawsuit begins when the plaintiff (the person suing) files a formal complaint with the court. That complaint lays out:
Who they’re suing (the defendant)
What happened
What harm was done
What they want the court to do about it
After that, the defendant is served the papers and has a chance to respond. From there, the case enters pre-trial stages, where both sides gather evidence (called discovery) and may try to settle out of court.
Real-Life Hypothetical
Let’s say you were hired to plan an event, did the whole job, but the person never paid you. You could file a civil lawsuit for breach of contract, asking the court to force them to pay you what you’re owed. That’s a basic example—but the civil system is also used for much heavier things, like the lawsuits against celebrities for sexual assault or emotional abuse, where criminal charges aren’t always filed (or don’t stick).
What Happens After You Sue Someone?
Once the lawsuit is filed and the other party is notified, you’ve officially entered the civil litigation process. That sounds intense—and it can be—but breaking it down helps:
1. The Complaint & Answer
You (the plaintiff) file a complaint explaining what happened and what you want. The defendant is then served—formally notified—and must file an answer either denying, admitting, or countering your claims.
2. Pre-Trial Motions & Hearings
Either side can file motions, like a motion to dismiss (“this lawsuit is trash, throw it out”) or a motion to compel (“they’re hiding evidence, make them hand it over”). These are the legal chess moves before trial.
3. Discovery (aka the Messy Middle)
This is where both sides collect and exchange evidence:
Emails, texts, contracts, receipts
Depositions (recorded testimonies)
Witness interviews
This phase is often where cases are won or settled. The truth comes out—and sometimes it’s ugly.
4. Settlement Talks
Most lawsuits don’t make it to trial. Why?
Because settlements happen. That’s when both sides agree on an outcome, often involving money or terms like a public apology or NDA. It’s not giving up—it’s choosing peace, privacy, or a faster resolution.
5. Trial (If It Gets There)
If the case doesn’t settle, it goes to trial. You’ll present your evidence, call witnesses, and make your case in front of a judge or jury. Then they decide the outcome—who wins, who pays, and how much.
6. Appeals (Sometimes the Fight Isn’t Over)
Even after a judgment, either party can appeal the decision if they believe legal errors were made. But appeals are a whole new process and can take months (or years).
Real-Life Perspective
Think of lawsuits like a breakup text that turns into a full-blown courtroom showdown. You don’t file just to vent—you file because you want action. Whether it ends in a quiet settlement or a public trial, suing someone means you’re demanding accountability through the law.
What You Need to Sue Someone
Before you even think about filing a lawsuit, there are a few things you need to have—or at least understand. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t just wake up angry, go to court, and expect a judge to fix your problems. Civil lawsuits require:
1. Standing: You Must Be Personally Affected
To sue, you need legal standing—which means you were directly harmed. You can’t sue on behalf of a friend or for something you just don’t like. You have to show the court:
“I was wronged. And I want justice.”
2. A Legal Claim
There has to be a legal reason behind your case. Some common ones include:
Breach of contract
Negligence
Defamation
Property damage
Harassment
Emotional distress
You don’t have to know all the legal terms—that’s what lawyers are for—but you must have a valid cause of action.
3. Evidence, Not Just Emotion
It’s okay to be hurt, angry, or betrayed—but the court needs receipts. That can include:
Text messages
Emails
Photos/videos
Medical records
Eyewitness accounts
Screenshots (yes, even those)
A strong lawsuit is built on proof, not just pain.
4. Money (Yes, It Costs to Sue)
Filing fees, legal representation, service costs—it adds up. Some people hire attorneys, others use legal aid or represent themselves (pro se). You don’t have to be rich to sue, but you need to be ready for the time, energy, and money it may take.
5. Timing: The Statute of Limitations Is Real
Every legal claim has a deadline. If you wait too long to sue—whether it’s a year or ten—your case could be thrown out before it even starts. This is called the statute of limitations, and it varies by state and situation.
Real-Life Tip
If you’re considering filing a lawsuit, consult an attorney first (even just for advice). They’ll tell you if your case has teeth, what your chances are, and how to protect yourself throughout the process.
What Can You Actually Sue Someone For?
People love to say, “I’ll sue you.” But in real life? You need a legitimate reason—and the law has categories for that. Here’s a breakdown of the most common civil lawsuit types, and what they usually involve:
1. Breach of Contract
Someone didn’t do what they legally agreed to.
Examples:
A brand not paying you after a collab
A landlord breaking your lease agreement
A company ghosting you after signing a freelance contract
Civil Court Goal: Get the money or service you were promised.
2. Personal Injury
You got physically or emotionally hurt because of someone’s actions or negligence.
Examples:
Car accidents
Slip-and-falls in public places
Medical malpractice
Civil Court Goal: Compensation for medical bills, therapy, lost wages, pain and suffering.
3. Defamation (Slander or Libel)
Someone lied about you in a way that caused real damage to your reputation or income.
Examples:
A public figure making false claims about you
A tweet that falsely labels you as a predator
A blog post accusing you of theft when you did nothing wrong
Civil Court Goal: Clear your name and receive damages for what the lie cost you.
4. Property Damage
Someone damaged or destroyed your belongings—whether it’s your car, home, or even intellectual property.
Examples:
A neighbor flooding your basement
A company stealing your copyrighted content
A guest trashing your apartment
Civil Court Goal: Reimbursement for repair or replacement.
5. Emotional Distress or Harassment
This one’s more nuanced, but you can sue if someone’s actions caused severe emotional harm or harassed you repeatedly.
Examples:
A toxic ex sending threats
A stalker showing up at your job
A workplace so hostile it affected your mental health
Civil Court Goal: Protective orders, damages, peace of mind.
6. Sexual Assault or Abuse (In Civil Court)
Criminal charges don’t always happen—but civil court can still hold abusers accountable.
Examples:
Suits like Cassie vs. Diddy
Jane Doe filings against celebrities, coaches, or employers
Civil Court Goal: Justice, even when the criminal system fails.
A Quick Reality Check:
You can’t sue someone because they were rude, rejected you, or made you mad. Civil court is for harm with consequences—not for hurt feelings alone. If it cost you money, opportunity, your health, safety, or rights… then you may have a case.
How Lawsuits End
Lawsuits don’t always end in a dramatic courtroom scene like on TV. In fact, most civil cases never go to trial—they settle. But whether it’s in a courtroom or a conference room, every lawsuit comes to a close. Here’s how:
1. Settlement: The Most Common Ending
A settlement is when both sides agree to resolve the case before it reaches trial.
This could include:
A cash payout
An apology
A public statement
A non-disclosure agreement (NDA)
Why settle?
Because trials are long, expensive, and unpredictable. A settlement gives both sides more control over the outcome.
2. Trial & Verdict: When It Goes the Distance
If no settlement is reached, the case goes to trial. Each side presents their evidence and arguments to a judge or jury, who then decide:
Who wins
How much money (or other remedies) the winner gets
This is where things can get messy—or go viral. Think: defamation trials like Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard or E. Jean Carroll vs. Donald Trump.
3. Default Judgment: When They Don’t Show Up
If the defendant ignores the lawsuit or fails to respond, the court can grant a default judgment.
That means the plaintiff wins automatically—and gets what they asked for (within reason).
4. Dismissal: When the Case Is Thrown Out
Cases can get tossed if they’re filed late, lack evidence, or don’t meet legal standards.
Dismissals might happen with prejudice (you can’t refile) or without prejudice (you can fix the issue and try again).
5. Appeal: The Legal Sequel
If someone believes a legal error happened at trial, they can appeal the decision. But appeals are about procedure, not re-arguing the facts.
It’s rare for an entire case to be reversed—but it does happen.
Real-Life Recap
Lawsuits end with one of two things: an agreement or a judgment. Either way, it’s about accountability. Whether someone cuts a check or stands trial, the end of a lawsuit represents closure—or at least a version of it.
