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plaintiff

Plaintiff is the party who initiates a lawsuit in a civil case by filing a complaint against the defendant or, in some proceedings, the respondent (depending on the type of civil case). The plaintiff seeks a legal remedy , such as damages  or injunctive relief , and bears the burden of proof  to establish the claims  made in the action .

See also: civil procedure

[Last reviewed in September of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team
]

Wex

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