Third-Party Complaint / Cross-Claim / Counterclaim

  • Counterclaim: A claim the defendant brings against the plaintiff.

  • Cross-claim: A claim one defendant brings against another defendant.

  • Third-party complaint: A claim the defendant brings against someone not originally in the case.

In a personal injury case:
Used to shift or share liability.

What to know:

  • These don’t usually change your basic claim as the plaintiff, but they affect who pays.

  • Can complicate and lengthen litigation.

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