The civil remedy that most people know about is the option to request damages. During a lawsuit, those affected by defaults, negligence or illegal conduct can ask for financial compensation. Most people are aware that an award of damages is possible after a successful lawsuit. However, monetary compensation does not always resolve an issue that requires the intervention of the civil courts.
In some cases, plaintiffs may ask judges to issue injunctions. How can an injunction provide relief for those filing a lawsuit over misconduct, a contract breach or a similar situation?
Injunctions limit certain conduct
An injunction is essentially a court order requiring certain behavior or prohibiting specific conduct. Judges can issue preliminary injunctions before they review a case or at the end of litigation.
Preliminary injunctions early in the legal process may help prevent misconduct or transactions that might cause further damage to the plaintiff. Injunctions issued early in a divorce might prevent one parent from leaving the state with transactions that might cause further damage to the plaintiff.
In some cases, an injunction may be part of the final ruling entered by the judge hearing the case. Injunctions can also sometimes require specific behavior, such as the removal of a product listing from a website when that product may be the result of patent infringement. Injunctions can address the very issues that led to litigation and can create additional consequences for continued misconduct.
Those preparing for civil litigation may need to discuss the various remedies available with a lawyer. Requesting an injunction may be part of a broader legal strategy intended to protect an individual or business and hold an outside party accountable.