State Court Discovery - Interrogatories - Alabama

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [COUNTY] COUNTY, ALABAMA

CIVIL ACTION NO.: [##-CV-20##-#####]

DEFENDANT’S FIRST SET OF INTERROGATORIES TO PLAINTIFF

Effective Date: [DATE OF SERVICE]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Preliminary Statement
3. Definitions
4. General Instructions
5. Response Instructions
6. Specific Interrogatories (Nos. 1–25)
7. Verification
8. Certificate of Service

1. DOCUMENT HEADER

These Interrogatories are propounded by Defendant to Plaintiff pursuant to Ala. R. Civ. P. 33. Plaintiff must serve separate, full written answers under oath or state the reasons for any objection, generally within 30 days after service of these Interrogatories, subject to any court-set time. Ala. R. Civ. P. 33(a). If the response period runs from service by mail or through the court's electronic-filing system, Rule 6(d) adds three days after the base period is computed under Rule 6(a).

2. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

Defendant submits these Interrogatories for the purpose of discovery. Supplementation or amendment of a complete answer is required only in the circumstances stated in Ala. R. Civ. P. 26(e), including specified witness and expert identification questions, correction of an answer that was wrong when made, knowing concealment from leaving a once-correct answer unamended, or an order, agreement, or new supplementation request.

3. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of these Interrogatories, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below. Each defined term is capitalized and applies in both singular and plural forms.

1. “Action” means the above-captioned lawsuit.
2. “Communication” means any oral, written, or electronic transmission of information.
3. “Document” is defined to be synonymous in scope with the term used in Ala. R. Civ. P. 34 and includes ESI (electronically stored information).
4. “Identify” (with respect to a natural person) means to state the person’s full name, last known address, telephone number, and employer.
5. “Identify” (with respect to a Document) means to state (a) title or description, (b) date, (c) author(s) or sender(s), (d) recipient(s), and (e) present location or custodian.
6. “Person” means any natural person, entity, or legal organization.
7. “You” and “Your” mean Plaintiff, the party answering these Interrogatories, including information available to Plaintiff from authorized representatives. “Defendant” means the party so named in the caption.

4. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Time for Response: Serve written, sworn answers within the deadline mandated by Ala. R. Civ. P. 33(a).
2. Manner of Response: Use the spaces following each question, reproduce each question and answer it after the question, or prepare answers separately, as Rule 33(d) permits. State the reason for each objection in lieu of an answer.
3. Construction: Read each Interrogatory in light of Rule 26(b)'s relevance, privilege, and proportionality limits.
4. Supplementation: Amend or supplement answers when Ala. R. Civ. P. 26(e)(1)–(3) requires it; a complete answer does not create a blanket continuing duty.
5. Privilege or Protection Description: If any information is withheld on a claim of privilege or trial-preparation protection, make the claim expressly. These Interrogatories constitute a written request under Ala. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(6)(A) for a description sufficient to permit assessment of the claim, to be served within 21 days unless otherwise ordered.
6. Discovery Limits: Ala. R. Civ. P. 33(a) limits a party to forty (40) interrogatories to another party without leave of court. Each subpart or separable question counts as a separate interrogatory. Count all discrete inquiries before service and obtain leave of court for any total above forty.
7. Later Information: If later information affects an answer, apply the specific supplementation and amendment conditions in Ala. R. Civ. P. 26(e).
8. Answer Signature: The person answering signs the answers; an attorney signs any objections. Ala. R. Civ. P. 33(a).

5. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

The response spaces below are for Plaintiff's answers or objections. Defendant does not assert objections on Plaintiff's behalf. Plaintiff may answer on this form, reproduce the questions with answers, or prepare separate answers as Rule 33(d) permits. Any objection must state its reason. If otherwise discoverable information is withheld on a claim of privilege or trial-preparation protection, state the claim expressly and respond to the written request for a supporting description in Section 4, Instruction 5.

6. SPECIFIC INTERROGATORIES

Interrogatory No. 1

Identify every person known to You who has knowledge or information relating to the facts alleged in the pleadings, and for each such person state the subject matter of his or her knowledge.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 2

State in complete detail the factual basis for each allegation of negligence, breach, or wrongful conduct asserted against Defendant in the Complaint.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 3

Identify and describe each Document that supports, contradicts, or otherwise relates to the allegations in the Complaint, including its present custodian and location.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 4

Itemize and compute each category of damages You seek in this Action, stating the method of calculation and identifying all Documents upon which You rely.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 5

Identify every Communication between You and Defendant (or any agent of Defendant) concerning the subject matter of this Action.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 6

Identify nonprivileged factual investigations regarding the events giving rise to this Action, including the date, investigator, and nonprivileged reports or factual findings on which You rely.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 7

Identify all insurance agreements under which any person carrying on an insurance business may be liable to satisfy part or all of a judgment in this Action or to indemnify or reimburse for payments made to satisfy the judgment.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 8

State the name, address, and specialty of each expert witness You expect to call at trial, the subject matter on which the expert is expected to testify, and the substance of the facts and opinions to which the expert is expected to testify.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 9

If You contend that Defendant was the cause of any personal injury to You, describe in detail the nature of each injury, all medical treatment received, and the identity of each treating health-care provider.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 10

Identify all photographs, video recordings, or other visual depictions relating to the incident or damages alleged, stating the date taken, the photographer/videographer, and present custodian.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 11

Identify prior claims, lawsuits, or administrative proceedings involving the same alleged injury, condition, transaction, or damages for which You seek recovery in this Action, stating the nature of each matter, the court or agency, and the disposition.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 12

Identify any statements (written, recorded, or transcribed) that You or anyone acting on Your behalf has obtained from any witness regarding the subject matter of this Action.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 13

State whether You have executed any releases, settlements, or covenants not to sue relating to the matters alleged, and identify all Documents evidencing same.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 14

Describe each item of property damage You claim, including original cost, age, condition before the event, cost of repair or replacement, and salvage value.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 15

Identify social-media postings, photographs, or communications within Your possession or control that relate to the alleged incident, injury, or damages in this Action, and state the account and approximate posting date for each.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 16

If You have asserted an affirmative defense to a counterclaim or other claim in this Action, state the facts on which each such defense rests.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 17

Identify all Persons who were present at the scene of the incident alleged in the Complaint and describe their roles or involvement.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 18

If Your alleged impairment is at issue in this Action, identify the substance, amount, and time of any alcohol, medication, or drug consumption that You contend affected Your actions during the incident.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 19

Itemize all lost wages, salary, or other income You claim, stating the calculation method, employer(s), dates absent, and rate(s) of pay.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 20

Identify any safety rules, regulations, statutes, or industry standards You contend Defendant violated and describe how each alleged violation contributed to Your claimed damages.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 21

Describe any physical, mental, or emotional condition pre-existing the incident that You contend was aggravated by Defendant’s conduct.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 22

State the date, time, and circumstances under which You first became aware of each alleged defect or hazardous condition that forms the basis of Your claims.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 23

Identify payments by any third party for the injuries or property damage claimed in this Action, stating the payer, amount, date, and damages category to which each payment relates, to the extent within Your knowledge and not protected by privilege.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 24

If You contend Defendant made any admissions against interest, identify the Person making the admission, the date, substance, and to whom it was made.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Interrogatory No. 25

Identify every fact witness You intend to call at trial and provide a summary of the substance of each witness’s expected testimony.

Response or objection (attach a continuation page if needed):

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

7. OPTIONAL VERIFICATION FOR PLAINTIFF'S ANSWERS

Complete this section only when Plaintiff serves answers using this form; separately prepared answers require their own verification.

I, ____________________________________________, being first duly sworn, state that I am the Plaintiff in the above-styled cause; that I have read the foregoing answers to Interrogatories and, to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, they are true and correct.

Date: ______________________ __________________________________
[PLAINTIFF NAME]

STATE OF ALABAMA )
) ss.
COUNTY OF ____________ )

Subscribed and sworn to before me this _____ day of ________________, 20__.

__________________________________
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ____________

8. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on the ___ day of ____________, 20__, I served the foregoing Defendant’s First Set of Interrogatories to Plaintiff on counsel of record via [METHOD OF SERVICE CONSISTENT WITH ARCP 5], addressed as follows:

[Name and address of opposing counsel]

__________________________________
[ATTORNEY NAME]
Counsel for Defendant
[Ala. Bar No. ####-X##X]
[Firm Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Phone] | [Email]