This field reflects the final disposition status of the situation or lawsuit in the latest court in which it has been considered. Usually, this field is only appropriate if the situation or lawsuit has concluded, but it may also be appropriate if some (but not all) claims or parties are dismissed from the action (see "Dismissed (partial)" below). It also includes non-lawsuit situations that result in a lawsuit, because such situations are considered “concluded” by the lawsuit (see “Lawsuit filed” below).

The choices for this field are:

• Dismissed (total)

Describes a case that has been dismissed by the court. If, however, the court has dismissed without prejudice, thus allowing the party to amend his or her complaint if he or she wishes, the case may still be considered pending.

• Dismissed (partial)

Describes a situation where a portion of the case was dismissed, but some other portion remained alive in either the same court or on appeal to another court. This tag is appropriate regardless of whether the parties have elected to appeal.

• Lawsuit filed

Describes a non-lawsuit legal threat —- such as a letter or email —- that has resulted in a lawsuit. In such a case, choose “Lawsuit filed” for this field, mark the case as “Concluded” in the Status field, and create a separate legal threat entry for the lawsuit.

• Settled

Describes a lawsuit where the parties have reached a court-approved settlement of the case, and thus the case is closed. This also is appropriate in a non-lawsuit situation in which the parties have settled the situation without recourse to the court system.

• Verdict (defendant)

Describes a lawsuit where a judge or jury has found in favor of the defendant after trial. In other words, the judge or jury decided the defendant "won."

• Verdict (plaintiff)

Describes a lawsuit where a judge or jury has found in favor of the plaintiff after trial. In other words, the judge or jury decided the plaintiff "won." This tag is also appropriate in situations where a plaintiff has won a preliminary injunction after a hearing before the court.

• Withdrawn

Describes a lawsuit where the sending/suing party has withdrawn its complaint or otherwise made clear that it will not continue to seek action. This includes non-lawsuit situations in which the sending party has ceased to threaten the receiving party and has not pursued legal action.

• Not Sure

Describes any instance where you are unsure of the situation's status.