Plaintiff

Definition

• The individual or entity that brings a lawsuit before the court. By suing, the plaintiff requests of the court a legal remedy, and if the lawsuit is won, the plaintiff seeks a legal remedy, often in the form of damages (monetary compensation), an injunction (a court order prohibiting an act), or specific performance (a court order compelling the defendant to carry out an act). Also known as a "claimant" or "complainant."

Synonyms
complainant, claimant

Alternate Spellings
lawsuit, suit, defendant

Related Terms and Acronyms

• Abstract of Judgement — Definition,
  • A court document that states how much the loser of a lawsuit owes, and which creates a lien, or a claim on property, when filed with the county recorder where the property is owned.
• Causation — Definition,
  • A method of connecting an entity's conduct with an effect, which in some cases can prove legal liability.
• Collateral Source Rule — Definition,
  • In tort law, the collateral source rule states that the tortfeasor (defendant) cannot deduct payments made by other parties to the plaintiff (such as insurance settlements) from what they are required to pay.
• Contract — Definition,
  • An agreement between two or more parties that can be enforced by law.
• Defendant — Definition,
  • The accused party in a lawsuit or criminal trial.
• Errors and Omissions Insurance — Definition,
  • Insurance that protects architects, home inspectors and contractors from claims by clients for professional mistakes.
• Injunction — Definition,
  • A court order that prohibits a party from taking a specific course of action.
• Lawsuit — Definition,
  • A suit brought before a court in order to remedy an alleged injustice.
• Malpractice — Definition,
  • Negligent acts done by a professional that causes injury to a plaintiff.
• Settlement — Definition,
  • An agreement between the parties of a legal case.
• Specific Performance — Definition,
  • A remedy in a court of equity compelling a defendant to carry out the terms of an agreement or contract. It is available only where the remedy of damages cannot afford adequate relief to the plaintiff.
• Statute of Limitations (SOL) — Acronym,
  • A period of time specified by statute within which an action at law must be brought or else be forfeited.
• Subrogation — Definition,
  • When an insurance company has the right to take legal action against a third party for damages.
• Tort — Definition,
  • An act that causes harm or loss.
• Tort Law — Definition,
  • Civil law or the laws that govern civil lawsuits.
• Tortfeasor — Definition,
  • A party who commits a tort (a civil wrong).