A plaintiff is a person who starts a lawsuit in court . A plaintiff ( Î in legal shorthand ) , also known as a claimant or complainant , is the term used in some jurisdictions for the party who initiates a lawsuit ( also known as an action ) before a court . By doing so , the plaintiff seeks a legal remedy , and if successful , the court will issue judgment in favor of the plaintiff and make the appropriate court order ( e.g. , an order for damages ) .