[// GUIDANCE: This template is intentionally drafted with comprehensive placeholders and strategic comments to facilitate rapid customization by Utah–licensed counsel. Verify all factual assertions and procedural requirements—including any governmental-entity notice or statutory limitations—prior to filing.]
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// IN THE _ JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT //
// _ COUNTY, STATE OF UTAH //
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[PLAINTIFF NAME], an individual, )
) COMPLAINT
Plaintiff, ) (Premises Liability—
v. ) Slip and Fall)
)
[DEFENDANT NAME], a Utah [corporation/LLC/individual], ) Civil No. ___
)
Defendant. ) Judge ___
)
__________ ) JURY DEMAND
)
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// I. INTRODUCTION //
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1. Plaintiff brings this personal-injury action to recover damages
proximately caused by Defendant’s negligent maintenance, inspection,
and operation of the premises located at [ADDRESS OR DESCRIPTION]
(the “Premises”), resulting in a slip-and-fall incident on
[DATE OF INCIDENT] (the “Incident”).
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// II. JURISDICTION & VENUE //
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2. This Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under Utah Code Ann.
§ 78A-5-102(1) (general civil jurisdiction).
3. Venue is proper in this County under Utah Code Ann. § 78B-3-307
because the cause of action arose in this County and Defendant
resides/does business here.
4. No federal question or diversity jurisdiction exists; removal is
therefore improper.
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// III. THE PARTIES //
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5. Plaintiff [FULL LEGAL NAME] is, and at all material times was, a
resident of ____ County, Utah.
6. Defendant [FULL LEGAL NAME] is a Utah [corporation/LLC/individual]
with its principal place of business/residence at
[DEFENDANT ADDRESS] and owns, leases, manages, or otherwise
controls the Premises.
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// IV. DEFINITIONS //
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For ease of reference, the following capitalized terms are used:
a. “Incident” means the slip-and-fall event on [DATE].
b. “Premises” means the real property, buildings, and appurtenant
areas located at [ADDRESS].
c. “Hazardous Condition” means the [wet floor/ice/uneven surface/
other condition] that caused Plaintiff’s fall.
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// V. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS //
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7. On [DATE & TIME], Plaintiff lawfully entered the Premises as an
[invitee/licensee] for the purpose of [DESCRIPTION—e.g., shopping,
attending an appointment].
8. A Hazardous Condition existed on the walking surface in the
[specific location, e.g., foyer, aisle 12, parking lot].
9. Defendant, through its agents and employees:
a. Knew or should have known of the Hazardous Condition through
actual notice, prior complaints, or reasonable inspection;
b. Failed to warn of, remedy, or otherwise make the area safe; and
c. Created or allowed the Hazardous Condition to persist for an
unreasonable period.
10. Plaintiff exercised due care but nonetheless slipped, fell, and
sustained severe bodily injuries, including but not limited to
[list injuries].
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// VI. FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION — NEGLIGENCE //
// (Premises Liability) //
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11. Plaintiff realleges ¶¶ 1–10 as though fully set forth herein.
12. Defendant owed Plaintiff a duty of reasonable care to maintain the
Premises in a safe condition, to inspect for hazards, and to warn
of or remediate dangerous conditions.
13. Defendant breached that duty by failing to:
a. Conduct reasonable inspections;
b. Correct the Hazardous Condition; and/or
c. Provide adequate warning (e.g., cones, signage).
14. Defendant’s breach was the proximate and legal cause of the
Incident and Plaintiff’s resulting injuries.
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// VII. COMPARATIVE FAULT //
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15. Pursuant to Utah’s Comparative Fault Act, Plaintiff’s own
negligence, if any, was less than the fault of Defendant and does
not exceed 50 percent.
16. Plaintiff’s damages should therefore be reduced, if at all, only
by Plaintiff’s proportion of fault as determined by the trier of
fact. Defendant bears the burden of proving any comparative fault.
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// VIII. DAMAGES //
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17. As a direct result of Defendant’s negligence, Plaintiff suffered
damages including:
a. Past and future medical expenses, currently estimated at
$[AMOUNT];
b. Past and future lost wages and diminished earning capacity,
presently estimated at $[AMOUNT];
c. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment
of life;
d. Out-of-pocket expenses; and
e. Any other damages permitted by Utah law.
18. Plaintiff seeks all recoverable compensatory damages in an amount
to be proven at trial but not less than $[JURISDICTIONAL FLOOR OR
“exceeds the minimum jurisdictional limits of this Court”].
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// IX. PRAYER FOR RELIEF //
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WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests judgment against Defendant
as follows:
A. General and special damages in an amount to be proven at trial;
B. Pre-judgment and post-judgment interest as allowed by law;
C. Costs incurred herein, including reasonable attorney fees where
recoverable under contract or statute;
D. Such limited injunctive relief as may be necessary to abate ongoing
hazardous conditions at the Premises; and
E. All other relief the Court deems just and proper.
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// X. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL //
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19. Plaintiff demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable as a
matter of right under Article I, § 10 of the Utah Constitution and
Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 38.
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// XI. ARBITRATION STATEMENT //
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20. Plaintiff acknowledges the parties may stipulate to binding or
non-binding arbitration under Utah Code Ann. § 78B-11-101 et seq.
Nothing herein constitutes a waiver of Plaintiff’s right to a jury
trial absent such mutual stipulation.
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// XII. RESERVATION OF ADDITIONAL CLAIMS //
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21. Plaintiff reserves the right to amend this Complaint to assert
additional causes of action—such as negligent hiring, negligent
supervision, or punitive damages—upon discovery of further facts.
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// XIII. VERIFICATION //
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[OPTIONAL—include only if statute or local rule requires]
I, [PLAINTIFF NAME], declare under penalty of perjury pursuant to Utah
Code Ann. § 78B-5-705 that the foregoing is true and correct.
Date: ___ _____
[PLAINTIFF NAME]
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// XIV. SIGNATURE //
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DATED: _______ Respectfully submitted,
[ATTORNEY NAME] (Bar No. ______)
[FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[EMAIL]
[PHONE]
Attorney for Plaintiff
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// END //
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