Accountability Tool
Civil suits allow individuals, governments and groups to seek compensation and force changes in business practices when they believe a company's conduct caused harm.
In plain English
When courts make you pay for harm.
Being legally on the hook to pay for harm you caused, decided in a lawsuit rather than a criminal case.
Simple example
Under New York's 2021 firearms law, the state attorney general and private plaintiffs can sue gun industry members whose sales or marketing practices are alleged to endanger public safety.
Why it matters
What the term actually changes.
Business Risk
The threat of large damage awards and litigation costs can shape how industries operate, including decisions about product design, marketing and distribution.
How it works
The mechanics, in practice.
Filing a Claim
A plaintiff files a lawsuit in state or federal court alleging that a defendant's conduct caused harm and violated a legal duty established by statute or common law.
Burden of Proof
Plaintiffs generally must prove their case by a 'preponderance of the evidence,' a lower standard than the 'beyond a reasonable doubt' threshold used in criminal cases.
Remedies
Courts can order defendants to pay monetary damages, change business practices through injunctions, or both, depending on the claims and evidence presented.
Related guide
Can states sue gun manufacturers for firearm-related harms?
A 2005 federal law shields gunmakers from many lawsuits, but a growing number of states are testing its limits.
Read the guide → Related issue brief
Should states be allowed to sue gun manufacturers for harms caused by firearms?
A 2026 Supreme Court decision leaves intact state laws opening the firearms industry to civil suits, reigniting a debate over federal preemption and industry accountability.
Read the brief →You’ve learned the term. Now vote.
Should states be allowed to sue gun manufacturers for harms caused by firearms?
Live results
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