What does it mean when a case is "dismissed with prejudice"?

When a case is "dismissed with prejudice," it signifies that the case is permanently closed and cannot be refiled. This legal term indicates a final decision made by the court regarding the merits of the case, meaning that the plaintiff is barred from bringing another lawsuit based on the same claim or issue. A dismissal with prejudice is a conclusive resolution and has a significant impact on both parties, particularly the plaintiff, as it prevents them from revisiting the same matter in the future.

In contrast, if a case were dismissed without prejudice, the plaintiff would retain the right to refile the case later, allowing for potential further pursuit of legal action. The other choices reflect misunderstandings of the terminology associated with legal dismissals.