Home > West's Encyclopedia of American Law > Allegation

The assertion, claim, declaration, or statement of a party to an action, setting out what he or she expects to prove.

If the allegations in a plaintiff's complaint are insufficient to establish that the person's legal rights have been violated, the defendant can make a motion to the court to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a CAUSE OF ACTION. If the allegations in the defendant's answer do not contradict the allegations in the complaint, the plaintiff can make a motion for SUMMARY JUDGMENT.