If a judgment is entered against the defendant because the defendant defaulted, the plaintiff may?

• A. Only recover the relief sought in the complaint
• B. The plaintiff may recover whatever the party is entitled to, even if it was not demanded in the complaint
• C. The plaintiff may recover nothing
• D. The plaintiff may recover double the relief requested

Answer: (A)

When a defendant defaults, liability is established on the facts pleaded in the complaint, but the remedy awarded by a default judgment is limited to what the plaintiff asked for in the complaint. The court cannot grant relief that wasn’t demanded, so the plaintiff may recover only the relief pleaded (and any costs allowed by law if requested). This preserves fairness and gives the defendant notice of the potential remedy. Thus the correct outcome is that the plaintiff may recover only the relief sought in the complaint.