A civil lawsuit is a legal dispute between two or more parties where one party claims to have been harmed by the actions of another. These cases typically involve issues such as contracts, property disputes, or personal injuries. The party bringing the lawsuit, known as the plaintiff, seeks compensation or a specific action from the other party, called the defendant. In a civil lawsuit, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff, who must demonstrate that their claims are valid. Unlike criminal cases, which involve the government prosecuting an individual for breaking the law, civil lawsuits focus on resolving private disputes and may result in monetary damages or injunctions rather than criminal penalties.