What are claims in a contract?
Asked by: Ms. Jazmin Armstrong | Last update: February 9, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (23 votes)
A contractual claim is a formal, written demand by one party to another for payment, contract adjustment (like time or terms), or other relief, arising from a breach or differing interpretation of a legally binding agreement, often in construction or government contracts. It's a request for remedies, such as extra payment for delays, changes, or losses, based on specific clauses in the contract, rather than just general breach of contract law.
What are claims in contracts?
A claim is a written demand or assertion by one of the contracting parties seeking (i) payment of a specific sum of money, (ii) adjustment or interpretation of contract terms, or (iii) other relief arising under or relating to the contract.
What is an example of a claim?
Claim examples include arguing that "dogs are better pets than cats" (value), stating "the Earth is warming" (fact), or proposing "the city should build more bike lanes" (policy), all of which assert something is true and require evidence to support them, unlike simple statements like "I own a phone".
What is a claim in legal terms?
claim. 1) v. to make a demand for money, for property, or for enforcement of a right provided by law. 2) n. the making of a demand (asserting a claim) for money due, for property, from damages or for enforcement of a right. If such a demand is not honored, it may result in a lawsuit.
What are the three types of claims?
The three main types of claims in argumentation are Claims of Fact, asserting something exists or is true (e.g., "Climate change is real"); Claims of Value, judging something as good/bad or right/wrong (e.g., "That movie was terrible"); and Claims of Policy, arguing for a specific action or solution (e.g., "We should ban single-use plastics"). These claims form the foundation of an argument, requiring evidence to support their positions.
Claims in Contracts- Part One
What are the three examples of claims?
There are three types of claims: claims of fact, claims of value, and claims of policy. Each type of claim focuses on a different aspect of a topic. To best participate in an argument, it is beneficial to understand the type of claim that is being argued.
What makes a claim valid?
In law, a valid claim or colorable claim is a claim that is strong enough to have a reasonable chance of being determined both valid based upon its being sufficiently supported by law and provable fact to be plausibly proved in court.
What do you mean by claims?
A "claim" means to state you have a right to something, demand it, or assert it's true, often requiring proof; it's a formal request for money (like insurance), a legal assertion for a right/remedy, or simply a statement of fact that needs backing, forming the basis of arguments or theses.
Is a claim the same as a case?
A lawsuit is a legal case filed in court when a claim is denied, disputed, or unresolved. Filing a lawsuit means asking a judge or jury to decide whether you are entitled to compensation and how much. Unlike a claim, a lawsuit involves formal legal procedures, including: Filing a complaint with the court.
What is an example of a legal claim?
The end goal of a legal claim is to cover the costs of the plaintiff in a way to make them whole again after they have suffered a loss. An example of a legal claim is a plaintiff who survives a car accident but as a result experiences major injuries.
What is a good claim example?
Good claim examples are specific, arguable statements that take a clear stance, like "Governments should enforce strict carbon regulations to combat climate change," or "School uniforms should be adopted in higher education to promote equality," as opposed to general facts or opinions, focusing on a position that needs evidence to be proven. Effective claims often include a reason (e.g., "Yoga offers significant mental benefits because it reduces stress hormones") and avoid weak phrases like "I think".
What is a claim in simple words?
A claim is a statement asserting something is true or a demand for something as a right, often requiring proof or justification, like claiming you're owed money or claiming a product prevents hair loss, but it needs evidence to back it up. It can be a statement (an assertion) or a demand (a request for something due).
What are 5 claims?
"5 claims" can refer to five types of argumentative claims (fact, definition, cause, value, policy) or common insurance claim types (auto, home, workplace injury, personal injury, weather damage), as well as general concepts like the 5 steps in a claim process or the 5 basic elements needed for a claim (time, duty, fact, injury, causation). The specific meaning depends on the context, whether it's in rhetoric/argumentation, insurance, or legal/administrative processes.
What is a contractor claim?
During a construction project, a “Claim” typically refers to a formal request by one party (usually the contractor or the owner) for compensation or other relief due to change in circumstances that arose during the work or after the parties entered into a contract.
What are the six types of claims?
The six most common types of claim are: fact, definition, value, cause, comparison, and policy. Being able to identify these types of claim in other people's arguments can help students better craft their own.
What is a claims agreement?
A claims agreement is a legal contract that eith concludes a claim or aims to settle a claim between a company and another entity. In other words, when a claim is filed against a company, action is taken to attempt to resolve the claimants complaints.
What are three types of claims?
The three main types of claims in argumentation are Claims of Fact, asserting something exists or is true (e.g., "Climate change is real"); Claims of Value, judging something as good/bad or right/wrong (e.g., "That movie was terrible"); and Claims of Policy, arguing for a specific action or solution (e.g., "We should ban single-use plastics"). These claims form the foundation of an argument, requiring evidence to support their positions.
What does a claim mean in law?
A claim is a set of operative facts creating a right enforceable in court. The term claim is generally synonymous with the phrase cause of action, though some contexts prefer to use one of the terms over the other.
What should you not say in a claim?
Don't Say Things That Will Reduce the Value of Your Claim
- I'm feeling much better.
- This really isn't so bad.
- I've been through worse.
- I don't know what my doctor is so concerned about.
- This isn't such a big deal.
Which is an example of a claim?
An example of a claim is "Climate change is causing more extreme weather events," as it's a debatable statement that asserts something is true and can be supported with evidence, unlike a simple opinion like "I like the weather". Claims are central to arguments, defining the main point an essay or discussion will prove, and can be about facts, values, or policies.
How do you explain a claim?
Claims are challengeable statements supported by reasons and evidence. They're the “main idea” of an argument and represent what the author believes and plans to convince the audience as they read or listen to it. Claims address the “so what” of the argument and tell the audience why they should care about it.
What are some types of claims?
Three types of claims are as follows: fact, value, and policy. Claims of fact attempt to establish that something is or is not the case. Claims of value attempt to establish the overall worth, merit, or importance of something. Claims of policy attempt to establish, reinforce, or change a course of action.
What is the legal basis of a claim?
First and foremost, a plaintiff must have (1) a cause of action recognised by law; and (2) establish the factual basis to support their claim. Both grounds will form the basis of the claim, detailed on the Claim Form, which is submitted to the court alongside the requisite fee.
What are good examples of claims?
Good claim examples are specific, arguable statements that take a clear stance, like "Governments should enforce strict carbon regulations to combat climate change," or "School uniforms should be adopted in higher education to promote equality," as opposed to general facts or opinions, focusing on a position that needs evidence to be proven. Effective claims often include a reason (e.g., "Yoga offers significant mental benefits because it reduces stress hormones") and avoid weak phrases like "I think".
What does a proof of claim mean?
A Proof of Claim is a written statement and any supporting documentation which describes the reason the debtor owes the creditor money. The claim must be filed using Official Form 410.