16.40 Elements of Claim is a term used by the American Bar Association (ABA) to refer to the elements that must be present in any legal claim in order to make it valid. These elements are: cause of action, actual damages, injury, causation, and legal right. Each element must be present and proven in order for a claim to be successful. There are two types of 16.40 Elements of Claim: legal claims and equitable claims. Legal claims are based on a violation of a legal right, such as a contract or tort, while equitable claims are based on a violation of an equitable right. Both types of claims require proof of each of the 16.40 Elements of Claim in order for them to be successful.