Lawsuits may be used to resolve disputes that arise between two individuals, such as between you and the roofing contractor, or two drivers who are involved in an auto accident, or a couple contemplating a divorce. Lawsuits may be used to resolve a dispute between an individual and a business, perhaps over a defective product, a service, or lease of property, or between two businesses who may be having a dispute over patent rights or the terms of a contract between them. Lawsuits also involve disputes between an individual or business with a Government agency. Generally, judges and certain other government employees cannot be sued for their official acts. What remedy you ask for depends on the type of claim you have, the harm you have suffered or may suffer, the nature of the defendant's conduct, and the authority of the court itself.
Most civil cases involve a claim for money damages to be paid by one party to the other.
Money damages may consist of compensatory damages, punitive damages, nominal damages, interest, and attorney's fees. That depends on the nature and amount of your claim. In some circumstances there may be several courts you can choose to bring suit in, and sometimes there may be only one. Other matters are to be brought in state or local courts. Each system typically has a threshold dollar amount or authority based on subject matter.