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Claim Preclusion
Claim preclusion means that once a court has made a final decision on a lawsuit, you cannot sue the same person again over the same underlying dispute.
What it actually is
Claim preclusion, also known as res judicata, bars a party from bringing a second lawsuit based on the same claim or cause of action that was already litigated and finally decided in a prior case. It applies not only to issues that were actually raised but also to those that could have been raised in the first proceeding. The doctrine arises procedurally when a defendant files a motion to dismiss or a motion for summary judgment arguing that the plaintiff already had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the matter.
Why it matters in your case
If you are facing a lawsuit, claim preclusion can be a powerful defense that ends the case early if the same dispute was already resolved in a prior final judgment. Conversely, if you are the plaintiff, you must bring all related claims arising from the same transaction or occurrence in one lawsuit, or risk losing the right to sue on them later.
The common misunderstanding
Many people mistakenly think claim preclusion only applies if the exact same legal theory was argued before, but it actually bars any claim that arises from the same core set of facts, even if you raise a new legal argument or seek different relief.
Get the actual rule
Definitions are orientation; rules are authority
This page explains the concept. When it matters to your case, read the rule that governs it in your court — we hold Texas, federal and Washington court rules word for word, and every state's official resources are on the state pages. If someone cites a case at you, check that it exists first.
Related
Terms that travel with this one
General explanation, not legal advice, and not specific to any state — procedures and deadlines vary by jurisdiction and court. If you can get a lawyer or free legal aid, do: every real option.