If you're thinking of suing someone, or concerned that someone might sue you, you're dealing with a civil law issue. In Colorado, Civil Law can usually be divided into two types of disputes: Contracts and Torts.
Contract disputes can refer to any agreement, whether in writing or not, in which two or more people agree to something, but one person (or business) fails to perform. Even an informal agreement, such as "I'll mow your grass every week if you'll let me park in your driveway" is a contract, if both people/parties agree to it. Then, obviously, there are more formal contracts that everyone will sign from time to time.
Contract disputes can be some of the most complex types of lawsuits, but are also extremely common. For example, when a homeowner is dissatisfied with the work of, say, a plumber, that's a contract dispute.
Torts refers to someone harming someone in some way, whether physically, economically, or something like damage to property. Torts can be unintentional or intentional. Fraud, assault and battery, defamation (lying about someone), and theft are all intentional torts, meaning someone purposely harmed someone else, whereas if someone harms another due to negligence, that's unintentional. The victim of a tort can sue for money damages, whether the tort was intentional or unintentional.
Lawsuits often contain elements of both contract and tort issues. Let's say you hire someone to mow your grass, and he fails to mow all of your yard, and then damages your mailbox with his truck - you'll probably want to sue him for both issues, with one being a contract breach and the other a tort (negligence).
If you're considering suing someone for a contract issue or tort, or if you're being sued or threatened by another, why not give me a call? Let's talk about your options.
