A crossclaim is a claim brought by one party against another party on the same side of a lawsuit.
In plain language, it is a claim between co-parties, such as one defendant suing another defendant within the same case. Crossclaims often arise when the parties disagree about who is responsible if the plaintiff wins.
Why it matters
Crossclaims matter because lawsuits often include more than two parties. A crossclaim can let related responsibility issues be resolved in one case instead of requiring a separate lawsuit.
They also help clarify contribution, indemnity, fault allocation, or contract obligations among co-defendants.
Where it appears
Crossclaims appear in multi-party litigation, accident cases, construction disputes, insurance cases, product cases, and contract disputes involving several defendants or several plaintiffs.
Practical example
A customer sues both a retailer and a manufacturer over an allegedly defective product. The retailer files a crossclaim against the manufacturer seeking indemnification if the retailer is held liable.
How it differs from nearby terms
A crossclaim differs from a counterclaim. A counterclaim is against an opposing party. A crossclaim is against a co-party.
It also differs from a complaint, which usually starts the lawsuit.
Related terms
Quick knowledge check
Question: What makes a claim a crossclaim?
Answer: It is brought against a party on the same side of the lawsuit, not against the opposing side.