Texas All Lines Adjuster Practice Test

What initiates a civil lawsuit by a claimant?

1. A court judgment

2. A complaint

3. A settlement proposal

4. A contract breach notice

The correct answer is: A complaint

The initiation of a civil lawsuit by a claimant starts with the filing of a complaint. A complaint is a legal document that outlines the plaintiff's case, detailing the facts of the dispute, the legal grounds for the lawsuit, and the specific relief or damages sought. It formally notifies the defendant of the claims against them and allows them to respond accordingly. In a civil case, the complaint serves as the foundational document that sets the legal process into motion. Once the complaint is filed with the appropriate court and served to the defendant, it triggers the court's jurisdiction and the legal obligations of both parties to engage in the litigation process. While a settlement proposal can occur during the litigation process, it does not initiate a lawsuit. Similarly, a court judgment is the outcome of a lawsuit rather than the beginning, and a contract breach notice may precede a lawsuit but does not itself constitute the initiation of a formal legal action.