COMPLAINT – PERSONAL INJURY

(Connecticut Superior Court – Judicial District of [PLACEHOLDER])

[// GUIDANCE: This template follows Connecticut General Statutes (“C.G.S.”) and the Connecticut Practice Book. Customize bracketed items, confirm factual allegations, and attach the Judicial Branch “Summons—Civil” (JD-CV-1) and “Statement of Amount in Demand” (JD-CV-15).]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Definitions
3. Jurisdiction & Venue
4. Factual Allegations
5. Counts
   5.1 Count One – Negligence
   5.2 Count Two – Recklessness (optional)
   5.3 Count Three – Loss of Consortium (optional)
6. Damages (Including Connecticut-Specific Limits)
7. Prayer for Relief
8. Jury Demand
9. Certification of Service
10. Signature Block

1. DOCUMENT HEADER

DOCKET NO.: [CLERK TO ASSIGN]
RETURN DATE: [_ _, 20]
JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF: [PLACEHOLDER] at [PLACEHOLDER]
PARTIES:
• [PLAINTIFF FULL LEGAL NAME], Plaintiff
• [DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME], Defendant

2. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Complaint, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

“Accident” means the incident that occurred on [DATE] at/near [LOCATION].
“Damages” means all legally recoverable elements of loss, including economic, noneconomic, and, where permitted, punitive damages.
“Defendant” means [DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME] and any predecessor, successor, agent, servant, or employee acting within the scope of employment.
“Plaintiff” means [PLAINTIFF FULL LEGAL NAME], individually and, where applicable, as spouse of [INJURED PARTY].
“Premises” means the property located at [ADDRESS] and all appurtenant areas.

3. JURISDICTION & VENUE

1. Plaintiff is, and at all relevant times was, a resident of the State of Connecticut, County of [____].
2. Defendant is, upon information and belief, a resident of/organized under the laws of [STATE] with its principal place of business at [ADDRESS], and transacts business in this Judicial District.
3. This Court has subject-matter jurisdiction pursuant to C.G.S. § 51-164s.
4. Venue is proper in this Judicial District under C.G.S. § 51-345 because the cause of action arose in, and the Defendant conducts business within, this District.

4. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

1. On [DATE], at approximately [TIME], Plaintiff lawfully occupied the Premises.
2. Defendant owed Plaintiff a duty to exercise reasonable care to keep the Premises in a reasonably safe condition and to warn of latent hazards.
3. Defendant breached said duty by, inter alia:
   a. Failing to maintain [SPECIFIC HAZARD];
   b. Failing to warn of the hazardous condition;
   c. Violating applicable building, safety, and health codes.
4. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s breach of duty, Plaintiff sustained serious bodily injuries, including but not limited to [DESCRIBE INJURIES].
5. Plaintiff incurred medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other Damages as will be proven at trial.

5. COUNTS

5.1 Count One – Negligence

1. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates ¶¶ 1–5 above.
2. Defendant’s conduct fell below the applicable reasonable-person standard of care.
3. Plaintiff’s Damages were caused by Defendant’s negligence, subject to comparative fault and joint/several liability principles of C.G.S. § 52-572h.

5.2 Count Two – Recklessness (If Supported by Facts)

1. Plaintiff repeats ¶¶ 1–5 and 5.1-¶¶ 1–3.
2. Defendant’s conduct displayed a reckless disregard for the safety of others in that Defendant knowingly failed to remedy a dangerous condition it created or of which it had actual knowledge.
3. Plaintiff is therefore entitled to punitive damages in an amount determined by the trier of fact, subject to any statutory caps.

5.3 Count Three – Loss of Consortium (If Applicable)

1. [SPOUSE NAME], spouse of Plaintiff, incorporates ¶¶ 1–5 and 5.1-¶¶ 1–3.
2. As a direct result of Defendant’s negligence, [SPOUSE NAME] has suffered loss of consortium, society, and companionship of the injured Plaintiff.

6. DAMAGES

1. Pursuant to C.G.S. § 52-91, Plaintiff does not plead a specific dollar amount of Damages in this Complaint.
2. Plaintiff seeks Damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs, sufficient to invoke the jurisdiction of the Superior Court and the right to trial by jury.
3. Connecticut recognizes joint and several liability subject to proportional reallocation under C.G.S. § 52-572h.
4. Any award of punitive or exemplary damages shall be limited as required by Connecticut statute and common law, including but not limited to caps applicable to claims against the State or municipalities (see, e.g., C.G.S. § 4-160), or other specific statutory actions.
   [// GUIDANCE: Confirm whether medical malpractice, municipal, or state-claims caps apply. Omit ¶ 4 if no cap is implicated.]

7. PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests:
a. Compensatory Damages in an amount to be determined by the trier of fact;
b. Punitive and/or exemplary damages where permitted;
c. Pre-judgment and post-judgment interest as allowed by law;
d. Costs pursuant to Connecticut Practice Book §§ 10-42 et seq.;
e. Such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

8. JURY DEMAND

Pursuant to Article I, § 21 of the Connecticut Constitution and Practice Book § 10-59, Plaintiff hereby demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable.

9. CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing Complaint was or will be mailed, delivered, or electronically served on all counsel and self-represented parties of record in accordance with Practice Book §§ 10-12 and 10-14 this _ day of _ 20.

10. SIGNATURE BLOCK

Respectfully submitted,

[ATTORNEY NAME] (Juris No. ______)
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP]
[T] [PHONE] [F] [FAX]
[E] [EMAIL]
Attorney for Plaintiff

[// GUIDANCE:
1. Attach or simultaneously serve the JD-CV-15 Statement of Amount in Demand on Defendant (NOT filed with court).
2. Verify Return Date falls on a Tuesday per Practice Book § 8-2.
3. File an Appearance (JD-CL-12) if not already on file.
4. Insert any applicable prejudgment remedy allegations in a separate application pursuant to C.G.S. § 52-278a et seq.
5. Consider alleging “recklessness” only if evidence meets the heightened pleading standard to avoid potential motions to strike.]