Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A claim is a set of facts that create a right that can be enforced in court. It is also known as a cause of action. For example, if someone is injured in a car accident, they may file a claim against the driver who caused the accident to recover damages for their injuries.
It is important to have a valid claim when filing a lawsuit. If a lawsuit is filed without a valid claim, it may be dismissed by the court. A claim must be plausible and establish that the defendant is liable.
Res judicata is a legal principle that prevents a party from bringing a claim to court if it has already been adjudicated in a previous trial. This means that if a claim has already been decided in court, it cannot be brought up again in a new lawsuit.
In patent law, a claim is a technical description of each part of an invention that is protected by the patent. The first claim usually describes the invention broadly, while subsequent claims describe the invention in more detail.
For example, if a person slips and falls in a grocery store due to a wet floor, they may file a claim against the store for negligence. If the claim is valid, the person may be able to recover damages for their injuries.
Another example is a patent for a new type of phone. The first claim may describe the phone as a whole, while subsequent claims may describe specific features of the phone, such as the camera or the screen.