Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: but-for cause
A cross-claim is when one person sues another person who is also involved in the same problem. For example, if two people are being sued for a car accident, one person might sue the other person for money to pay for the damages. This is called a cross-claim. It is only allowed if it is related to the original problem. For instance, if one person is found responsible for the accident, they might ask the other person to pay for some of the damages.
A cross-claim is a legal claim made by one party against another party who is also involved in the same lawsuit.
For example, if two people are suing a third person for damages caused in a car accident, one of the plaintiffs may make a cross-claim against the other plaintiff for their share of the damages.
Cross-claims are governed by Rule 13 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP). According to this rule, cross-claims are only allowed if they arise out of the same transaction or occurrence as the original claim.
For instance, if a defendant is being sued for breach of contract, they may make a cross-claim against the plaintiff for breach of the same contract.
Another example of a permissible cross-claim is a claim for indemnification. If a party is found liable for damages in the original claim, they may make a cross-claim against another party to recover some or all of the damages.
Overall, cross-claims are a way for parties involved in a lawsuit to resolve all of their legal disputes in one proceeding.