Complaint
A complaint is the document that starts a lawsuit by saying who is suing, who is being sued, what happened and what relief is being asked for.
Also called: civil complaint, class action complaint, initial complaint
A complaint is the document that starts a lawsuit by saying who is suing, who is being sued, what happened and what relief is being asked for.
What it means
A complaint is the first document filed to start a civil lawsuit. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 3, a civil action begins when a complaint is filed with the court.
Rule 8(a) says a complaint has to contain three things:
- a short and plain statement of why the court has jurisdiction
- a short and plain statement of the claim, showing the plaintiff is entitled to relief
- a demand for the relief sought
In a class action, the complaint also describes the proposed class and why the case should be treated as a class action.
A complaint contains allegations, not proven facts. The company is served with it and must respond. Under the federal rules, a defendant generally has 21 days after being served to answer, or it can file a motion to dismiss instead. Amended and consolidated complaints often follow.
What it means for you
A complaint is where a class action begins, often years before any money is available. It tells you what the plaintiffs say the company did. The company usually denies it, and a judge has decided nothing yet. A newly filed class action does not mean there is a settlement to claim. Nothing can be claimed until the parties settle and the court takes the first step of approving the deal. Until then, the best step is to save your records, such as receipts or account emails, and watch for the official notice. Nobody has to pay to join a lawsuit like this.
Example
Say a customer files a complaint in federal court. She says a retailer added undisclosed handling fees, and she asks to sue for all customers who paid them. The complaint lays out the claims and the money sought. The retailer has 21 days after being served to answer or file a motion to dismiss. Nothing is owed to anyone yet, and the case may take years or never settle.
FAQ
No. A complaint only starts the case. You can claim money only after the parties settle and the court approves the deal, or after a judgment, and many cases never settle.
Under the federal rules, a defendant generally must serve an answer within 21 days after being served with the summons and complaint. A waiver of service, a court order or a motion to dismiss can change the timing. State courts have their own deadlines.
Related terms
- Fed. R. Civ. P. 3, Commencing an Action (Cornell Legal Information Institute)
- Fed. R. Civ. P. 8, General Rules of Pleading (Cornell Legal Information Institute)
- Fed. R. Civ. P. 12, Defenses and Objections (Cornell Legal Information Institute)
Updated Oct 18, 2026. Plain-English definitions for general information — not legal or tax advice.