---
title: What is a Dismissal Without Prejudice?
description: A lawsuit comes to an end once it is dismissed. However, there are two types of dismissals, a dismissal without prejudice and a dismissal with prejudice. What is a dismissal without prejudice? Read more here.
---

[Goosmann Law Blog](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog)

# [What is a Dismissal Without Prejudice?](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/what-is-a-dismissal-without-prejudice)

 Written by [Goosmann Law Team](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/author/goosmann-law-team) | Jun 2, 2014 2:08:11 PM

June 2, 2014. A lawsuit comes to an end once it is dismissed. However, there are two types of dismissals, a dismissal without prejudice and a dismissal with prejudice. While these two legal phrases are nearly identical on their face, they have dramatically different implications.

A dismissal without prejudice does, indeed, lead to the dismissal of lawsuit, but the plaintiff can bring another lawsuit based upon the same claim at a later date. For example, [Donald Sterling filed a lawsuit](http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/11008282/attorney-says-los-angeles-clippers-owner-donald-sterling-suing-nba-1-billion) against the NBA last week, seeking $1 Billion in damages. However, he could certainly dismiss the lawsuit without prejudice and re-file the lawsuit at a later date, such as after his lawyers obtain more information.

On the other hand, a dismissal with prejudice concludes a lawsuit once and for all. The term with prejudice indicates the court cannot be asked to rule on the same issue(s) again. Thus, once a case is dismissed with prejudice, the plaintiff is forever barred from seeking recovery from the defendant based on the same claim(s).

For more information regarding [litigation](http://goosmannlaw.com/practice-areas/trial-lawyers/) and dismissal without prejudice, contact the [Goosmann Law Firm](http://goosmannlaw.com) at [info@goosmannlaw.com](mailto:%20info@goosmannlaw.com) or call 712-226-4000.

Follow us on Twitter! [@JeanaAtGLF](http://www.twitter.com/JeanaAtGLF) and [@AnthonyAtGLF](http://www.twitter.com/AnthonyAtGLF)

[View full post](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/what-is-a-dismissal-without-prejudice)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Goosmann Law Team"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2015-10-14T19:57:14.001Z",
  "datePublished" : "2014-06-02T14:08:11Z",
  "headline" : "What is a Dismissal Without Prejudice?",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 60,
    "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
    "width" : 60
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/blog/what-is-a-dismissal-without-prejudice",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "Goosmann Blog"
  }
}
```