Plaintiff
Updated 2026-09-29
A plaintiff is the party who starts a civil lawsuit, seeking a remedy such as damages or a court order from the defendant. In a scam recovery claim, the plaintiff is usually the victim, or sometimes several victims joined together in one case.
Being the plaintiff comes with the burden of proof, meaning it is the plaintiff’s responsibility to show the court, on the balance of probabilities, that their claim is true.
A plaintiff can be an individual, but claims can also be brought jointly where several people were affected by the same scam, which can sometimes make a claim more practical and cost effective.
When it matters
Understanding the plaintiff’s responsibilities helps set realistic expectations about what evidence and steps a victim will need to provide.
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