The plaintiff’s petition or complaint is the document filed with the court and delivered to the defendant (served) that initiates a lawsuit and puts the defendant on notice of the plaintiff’s claims against the defendant and the relief the plaintiff is asking the court to award (usually money or injunctive relief).
In Alabama, the plaintiff's petition or complaint is the initial legal document filed in a civil court to start a lawsuit. This document outlines the plaintiff's allegations against the defendant, the factual basis for the claims, and the specific relief or damages the plaintiff is seeking, which could be monetary compensation, injunctive relief, or both. Once the complaint is filed with the court, it must be formally served on the defendant, which provides the defendant with official notice of the lawsuit and the claims against them. The service of the complaint is governed by the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, which detail the methods of service and the time frame within which the defendant must respond to the complaint, typically by filing an answer or a motion to dismiss.