Legal Definitions - frivolous claim

A frivolous claim refers to a lawsuit, defense, or legal argument that is so clearly lacking in legal merit or factual basis that it has no reasonable chance of success. Such a claim is often brought for improper purposes, such as to harass an opponent, delay proceedings, or simply to waste the court's time and resources. Courts view frivolous claims seriously because they burden the legal system and can cause unnecessary expense and distress to the parties involved.

Here are some examples illustrating a frivolous claim:

• Example 1: A person files a lawsuit against a major airline, claiming that their flight was delayed by 15 minutes, which caused them "severe emotional distress" and "loss of enjoyment" of their vacation. They demand a million dollars in damages.

  Explanation: This claim would likely be considered frivolous because a minor flight delay, while inconvenient, typically does not meet the legal threshold for severe emotional distress or warrant such a disproportionate amount in damages. There is no reasonable legal basis for such a claim, and it appears to be an attempt to use the court system for an issue that lacks genuine legal merit.

• Example 2: A disgruntled former employee, after being legitimately terminated for poor performance, repeatedly files lawsuits against their previous employer alleging various forms of discrimination, even after multiple courts have already dismissed identical claims due to a complete lack of evidence.

  Explanation: If the employee continues to file the same claims without presenting any new, credible evidence or legal arguments, and the claims have already been adjudicated and dismissed, a court could deem these subsequent lawsuits frivolous. They appear to be an attempt to harass the former employer and burden them with legal costs rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.

• Example 3: A landlord sues a tenant for property damage, claiming the tenant painted the walls purple, even though the lease explicitly states that tenants are allowed to paint and the walls were, in fact, painted a standard beige color before the tenant moved out, as confirmed by move-out photos.

  Explanation: This claim would be frivolous because it is based on a false factual premise that is easily disproven by evidence (the lease terms and photos). The landlord's claim lacks a factual foundation and appears to be an attempt to extract money from the tenant without legitimate grounds.