claimants

A claimant is a person or entity who makes a claim against another party, seeking relief such as damages, compensation, or other remedies. The term is used across civil litigation, insurance, social security, and administrative processes. In civil proceedings, the claimant is typically the party who initiates the lawsuit.

In the United Kingdom and other common law jurisdictions, claimant is used instead of plaintiff; the opposing party is the defendant. In the United States, the term plaintiff is more common, but claimant is used in certain contexts such as workers’ compensation, disability benefits, or insurance claims.

The claimant bears the burden to establish the facts supporting their claim and to prove that they are entitled to the requested remedy. They may be represented by attorneys and may engage in discovery, negotiation, mediation, or trial. Not all claims proceed to trial; many are resolved by settlement, administrative decision, or dismissal.

The scope of a claimant’s rights can vary by jurisdiction and by the nature of the claim. Common examples include personal injury claims, employment or wage claims, insurance claims for property or life and health coverage, and social security or welfare benefit claims. In class actions or mass torts, multiple claimants may pursue similar claims together.