Legal Question in Administrative Law in New York

Quick Question: Clarification of common terms

My roommates and I got into a small argument this morning about

the definition of the word ''sue.'' Does suing someone always

mean money is involved? If one sues for punitive damages,

someone still receives money, right? Can one sue without trying

to win anything ''tangible?'' Also, does every lawsuit mean one

party is ''suing'' another? Are the words lawsuit and sue mutally

exclusive?

Any quick help you can provide me with would be greatly

appreciated.

Thanks!


Asked on 11/04/04, 8:57 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Peter J. Kelley Peter J. Kelley & Associates

Re: Quick Question: Clarification of common terms

To "sue" means to begin a legal action, also called a lawsuit. The person asking the court for action is called a "plaintiff" or a "petitioner," depending on the type of proceeding. The person against whom the action is sought is called "defendant" or "respondent." A suit can ask for many things. For example (and this is only a partial list), a person could sue for money, for property, for a court order directing someone to do something, for an order forbidding someone from doing something, or for a court decision interpreting the law or the meaning of a document.

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Answered on 11/04/04, 3:14 pm


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