Understanding Countercharges in Lawsuits

Countercharges are charges made by the defendant in a lawsuit against the plaintiff. In other words, it is when the defendant alleges that the plaintiff is responsible for the harm or injury that the plaintiff is claiming compensation for.

For example, if the plaintiff sues the defendant for breach of contract, the defendant may countercharge the plaintiff with breach of duty or failure to perform their own obligations under the contract.

Countercharges can be used as a defense in a lawsuit and can help to reduce or eliminate the amount of damages that the plaintiff is entitled to receive. If the court finds that both parties are partially responsible for the harm or injury, they may apportion liability between them based on the strength of their respective claims.