IN THE _____ JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
_____ COUNTY, TEXAS
[PLAINTIFF FULL LEGAL NAME],
Plaintiff,
v.
[DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME],
Defendant.
Cause No. _____
ORIGINAL PETITION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION COMPLAINT
(Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §§ 17.41 et seq.)
[// GUIDANCE: This template is drafted for a Texas state-court consumer-fraud action primarily under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act (“DTPA”). It also pleads common-law claims to preserve alternative theories. Customize bracketed fields, verify all factual allegations, and confirm venue facts before filing.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Discovery Control Plan ................................................................................. 2
- Parties ............................................................................................................. 2
- Jurisdiction and Venue .................................................................................. 3
- Conditions Precedent & Notice ..................................................................... 3
- Definitions ..................................................................................................... 4
- Factual Background ....................................................................................... 5
- Causes of Action ............................................................................................ 6
7.1 Count One – Deceptive Trade Practices (DTPA) ........................................ 6
7.2 Count Two – Common-Law Fraud ........................................................... 7
7.3 Count Three – Negligent Misrepresentation .............................................. 7
7.4 Count Four – Breach of Express Warranty ................................................ 8 - Damages & Risk Allocation .......................................................................... 8
- Request for Injunctive Relief ........................................................................ 9
- Attorney’s Fees .............................................................................................. 9
- Limited Arbitration Statement ...................................................................... 9
- Jury Demand ................................................................................................. 10
- Prayer ............................................................................................................. 10
- Verification ..................................................................................................... 11
- Signature Block ............................................................................................. 12
1. DISCOVERY CONTROL PLAN
1.1 Plaintiff intends that discovery be conducted under Level [2/3] of Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 190.
[// GUIDANCE: Level 2 is standard unless the case merits a customized Level 3 plan.]
2. PARTIES
2.1 Plaintiff [PLAINTIFF FULL LEGAL NAME] (“Plaintiff”) is an individual residing at [PLAINTIFF ADDRESS] and is a “consumer” as that term is defined in Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. § 17.45(4).
2.2 Defendant [DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME] (“Defendant”) is a [corporation/LLC/etc.] organized under the laws of [STATE] with its principal place of business at [ADDRESS]. Defendant may be served with process by serving its registered agent, [NAME], at [REGISTERED AGENT ADDRESS].
3. JURISDICTION AND VENUE
3.1 The Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under Tex. Gov’t Code § 24.007 because the amount in controversy exceeds the minimum jurisdictional limits of this Court.
3.2 Venue is proper in _____ County, Texas under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 15.002(a)(1) because all or a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to this suit occurred in this county.
3.3 Pursuant to the forum-selection metadata, Plaintiff invokes this Court’s jurisdiction and does not consent to removal or transfer.
4. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT & NOTICE
4.1 Plaintiff has satisfied all conditions precedent to filing this action, including the 60-day pre-suit notice required by Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. § 17.505(a), as evidenced by the notice letter dated [DATE] attached hereto as Exhibit A.
4.2 All other conditions precedent have occurred or have been performed.
5. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Complaint, the following capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below:
“Act” means the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act, Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. §§ 17.41 et seq.
“Consumer Goods” means the [product(s)/service(s)] purchased by Plaintiff from Defendant on or about [DATE].
“Defective Condition” means the material non-conformities, misrepresentations, or omissions alleged herein regarding the Consumer Goods.
“Laundry-List Misrepresentation” means any false, misleading, or deceptive act enumerated in Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. § 17.46(b).
“Treble Damages” means statutory additional damages up to three times the amount of economic damages permitted under Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. § 17.50(b)(1).
[// GUIDANCE: Add or delete definitions so every capitalized term appears at least once in the body.]
6. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
6.1 On [DATE], Plaintiff visited Defendant’s place of business in [CITY] and purchased the Consumer Goods based on Defendant’s representations that the goods were “[SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIONS].”
6.2 Defendant expressly warranted that the Consumer Goods were “[WARRANTY LANGUAGE],” and that any related services would be performed in a good and workmanlike manner.
6.3 After purchase, Plaintiff discovered the Defective Condition, including but not limited to:
a. [DESCRIPTION OF DEFECT 1];
b. [DESCRIPTION OF DEFECT 2].
6.4 Plaintiff relied on Defendant’s Laundry-List Misrepresentations, which were material and induced the transaction.
6.5 Defendant failed and refused to cure or refund despite Plaintiff’s timely demand.
7. CAUSES OF ACTION
7.1 Count One – Deceptive Trade Practices (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §§ 17.46, 17.50)
7.1.1 Plaintiff is a “consumer” and Defendant is subject to the Act.
7.1.2 Defendant engaged in Laundry-List Misrepresentations, including § 17.46(b)(5), (7), and (24) by [SPECIFY CONDUCT].
7.1.3 Such acts were producing causes of Plaintiff’s damages.
7.1.4 Defendant’s conduct was committed knowingly and/or intentionally, entitling Plaintiff to Treble Damages under § 17.50(b)(1).
7.2 Count Two – Common-Law Fraud
7.2.1 Defendant made material misrepresentations.
7.2.2 The representations were false and either known to be false or made recklessly without knowledge of their truth.
7.2.3 Plaintiff relied on the misrepresentations and suffered injury.
7.3 Count Three – Negligent Misrepresentation
7.3.1 Defendant supplied false information in the course of business.
7.3.2 Defendant failed to exercise reasonable care or competence in obtaining or communicating the information.
7.3.3 Plaintiff justifiably relied on the information and suffered pecuniary loss.
7.4 Count Four – Breach of Express Warranty (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 2-313)
7.4.1 Defendant’s affirmations became part of the basis of the bargain.
7.4.2 The Consumer Goods failed to conform to the express warranties.
7.4.3 Plaintiff suffered damages as a result of the breach.
[// GUIDANCE: Plead alternative causes to maximize recovery pathways; omit counts that do not apply.]
8. DAMAGES & RISK ALLOCATION
8.1 Economic Damages: $[AMOUNT] for purchase price, out-of-pocket costs, and consequential losses.
8.2 Mental Anguish: $[AMOUNT], where supported by evidence.
8.3 Treble Damages: Up to $[AMOUNT × 3] under § 17.50(b)(1) due to Defendant’s knowing or intentional conduct.
8.4 Indemnification/Reliance Damages: As authorized by consumer-protection principles and to restore Plaintiff to the status quo ante.
8.5 Pre- and post-judgment interest at the highest rate allowed by law.
8.6 Costs of court.
[// GUIDANCE: Insert detailed damage calculations once discovery clarifies amounts; maintain flexibility to adjust categories.]
9. REQUEST FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
9.1 Pursuant to Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. § 17.50(b)(2) and Texas common law, Plaintiff seeks temporary and permanent injunctive relief prohibiting Defendant from engaging in the unlawful conduct described herein.
9.2 Plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits, has no adequate remedy at law for ongoing harm, and the balance of equities favors injunctive relief.
10. ATTORNEY’S FEES
10.1 Under Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. § 17.50(d) and Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 38.001, Plaintiff is entitled to recover reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees.
10.2 In the alternative, Plaintiff requests fees as a common-fund or equitable remedy.
11. LIMITED ARBITRATION STATEMENT
11.1 To the extent any agreement purports to compel arbitration, Plaintiff pleads that such clause is unconscionable, invalid, or otherwise unenforceable under governing consumer-protection doctrines. Plaintiff reserves the right to compel or oppose arbitration consistent with applicable law and the metadata designation “limited arbitration.”
12. JURY DEMAND
12.1 Plaintiff asserts the constitutional right to trial by jury and tenders the requisite jury fee pursuant to Tex. R. Civ. P. 216.
13. PRAYER
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Plaintiff respectfully requests that Defendant be cited to appear and answer, and that upon final trial Plaintiff recover:
a. Actual economic damages;
b. Mental anguish damages;
c. Treble Damages as authorized by the Act;
d. Reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees;
e. Costs of court;
f. Pre- and post-judgment interest;
g. Temporary and permanent injunctive relief; and
h. Such other and further relief, at law or in equity, to which Plaintiff may be justly entitled.
14. VERIFICATION
STATE OF TEXAS )
COUNTY OF _____ )
BEFORE ME, the undersigned notary, on this day personally appeared [PLAINTIFF NAME], who, being by me duly sworn, stated under oath that the foregoing allegations are within [his/her] personal knowledge and are true and correct.
[PLAINTIFF NAME]
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me on this ___ day of ____, 20__.
Notary Public, State of Texas
My Commission Expires: ____
[// GUIDANCE: A verification is not mandatory in every DTPA case; include or remove based on strategic considerations.]
15. SIGNATURE BLOCK
Respectfully submitted,
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[Firm Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Telephone: () -____
Email: [EMAIL]
By: ____
[ATTORNEY NAME]
Texas Bar No. _
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF