California Form Complaint PDF Details

Navigating the complexities of filing a lawsuit in California begins with a crucial document known as the California Complaint Form, PLD-PI-001. This form serves as the initial step for individuals looking to assert their rights in cases involving personal injury, property damage, wrongful death, among other claims. Encapsulated within this paperwork is a variety of sections designed to meticulously capture the details of the plaintiff, defendant, and the nature of the lawsuit. It distinguishes between cases based on their financial claims, categorizing them as either limited civil cases—with demands not exceeding $25,000—or unlimited civil cases, where the amount in controversy surpasses this threshold. Additionally, the form provides space for plaintiffs to articulate their allegations, citing the specific types of damages sought and the legal grounds on which the case rests. Plaintiffs must also navigate through procedural prerequisites, such as compliance with applicable claims statutes and ensuring the lawsuit is filed within the correct jurisdiction. With checkboxes and open fields, the form facilitates the inclusion of various types of information, from the identities of parties involved—including potentially unknown defendants referred to as “Does”—to the specifics of damages claimed and types of relief sought. By completing this form, plaintiffs lay the groundwork for their legal action, presenting their case to the court in a structured and official manner.

QuestionAnswer
Form NameCalifornia Form Complaint
Form Length3 pages
Fillable?No
Fillable fields0
Avg. time to fill out45 sec
Other namescivil complaint form california, judicial council form complaint california, pld pi 001 1 form california, complaint form california

Form Preview Example

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PLD-PI-001

ATTORNEY OR PARTY WITHOUT ATTORNEY (Name, State Bar number, and address):

FOR COURT USE ONLY

TELEPHONE NO:

FAX NO. (Optional):

E-MAIL ADDRESS (Optional):

 

ATTORNEY FOR (Name):

 

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF

 

 

 

STREET ADDRESS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAILING ADDRESS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CITY AND ZIP CODE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRANCH NAME:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLAINTIFF:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFENDANT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DOES 1 TO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMPLAINT—Personal Injury, Property Damage, Wrongful Death

 

 

 

 

 

AMENDED (Number):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Type (check all that apply):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MOTOR VEHICLE

 

 

 

OTHER (specify):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property Damage

 

 

 

Wrongful Death

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Injury

 

 

 

Other Damages (specify):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jurisdiction (check all that apply):

CASE NUMBER:

 

 

 

ACTION IS A LIMITED CIVIL CASE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

does not exceed $10,000

 

 

 

 

Amount demanded

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

exceeds $10,000, but does not exceed $25,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACTION IS AN UNLIMITED CIVIL CASE (exceeds $25,000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACTION IS RECLASSIFIED by this amended complaint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

from limited to unlimited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

from unlimited to limited

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.Plaintiff (name or names):

alleges causes of action against defendant (name or names):

2.This pleading, including attachments and exhibits, consists of the following number of pages:

3.Each plaintiff named above is a competent adult

a.

 

except plaintiff (name):

 

 

 

 

a corporation qualified to do business in California

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

an unincorporated entity (describe):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a public entity (describe):

 

 

 

 

b.

 

 

a minor

 

an adult

 

 

(a)

 

 

for whom a guardian or conservator of the estate or a guardian ad litem has been appointed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

other (specify):

 

 

(b)

 

 

(5)

 

other (specify):

 

except plaintiff (name):

(1)

 

a corporation qualified to do business in California

 

(2)

 

an unincorporated entity (describe):

 

(3)

 

a public entity (describe):

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

a minor

 

an adult

 

 

 

for whom a guardian or conservator of the estate or a guardian ad litem has been appointed

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

 

 

other (specify):

 

 

(b)

 

 

(5)

 

other (specify):

 

Information about additional plaintiffs who are not competent adults is shown in Attachment 3.

Page 1 of 3

Form Approved for Optional Use

COMPLAINT—Personal Injury, Property

Code of Civil Procedure, § 425.12

Judicial Council of California

Damage, Wrongful Death

www.courtinfo.ca.gov

PLD-PI-001 [Rev. January 1, 2007]

 

PLD-PI-001

SHORT TITLE:

CASE NUMBER:

4.

Plaintiff (name):

is doing business under the fictitious name (specify):

 

and has complied with the fictitious business name laws.

 

 

 

 

 

5. Each defendant named above is a natural person

 

 

 

 

 

a.

 

except defendant (name):

c.

 

except defendant (name):

 

 

 

(1)

 

a business organization, form unknown

 

(1)

 

a business organization, form unknown

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

a corporation

 

(2)

 

a corporation

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

an unincorporated entity (describe):

 

(3)

 

an unincorporated entity (describe):

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

a public entity (describe):

 

(4)

 

a public entity (describe):

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

 

other (specify):

 

(5)

 

other (specify):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

b.

 

except defendant (name):

d.

 

except defendant (name):

 

(1)

 

a business organization, form unknown

 

(1)

 

a business organization, form unknown

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

a corporation

 

(2)

 

a corporation

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

an unincorporated entity (describe):

 

(3)

 

an unincorporated entity (describe):

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

a public entity (describe):

 

(4)

 

a public entity (describe):

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

 

other (specify):

 

(5)

 

other (specify):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information about additional defendants who are not natural persons is contained in Attachment 5.

6.The true names of defendants sued as Does are unknown to plaintiff.

a.

 

Doe defendants (specify Doe numbers): _________________________ were the agents or employees of other

 

 

named defendants and acted within the scope of that agency or employment.

7.

b.

 

Doe defendants (specify Doe numbers):_________________________ are persons whose capacities are unknown to

 

 

plaintiff.

Defendants who are joined under Code of Civil Procedure section 382 are (names):

8.This court is the proper court because

a.

 

at least one defendant now resides in its jurisdictional area.

 

 

 

b.

 

the principal place of business of a defendant corporation or unincorporated association is in its jurisdictional area.

 

 

 

c.

 

injury to person or damage to personal property occurred in its jurisdictional area.

 

 

 

d.

 

other (specify):

9.

 

 

Plaintiff is required to comply with a claims statute, and

a.

 

 

has complied with applicable claims statutes, or

 

 

 

 

 

 

b.

 

 

is excused from complying because (specify):

PLD-PI-001 [Rev. January 1, 2007]

COMPLAINT—Personal Injury, Property

Damage, Wrongful Death

Page 2 of 3

PLD-PI-001

SHORT TITLE:

CASE NUMBER:

10. The following causes of action are attached and the statements above apply to each (each complaint must have one or more

causes of action attached):

a.

 

Motor Vehicle

 

 

 

b.

 

General Negligence

 

 

 

c.

 

Intentional Tort

 

 

 

d.

 

Products Liability

 

 

 

e.

 

Premises Liability

 

 

 

f.

 

Other (specify):

11. Plaintiff has suffered

a.

 

wage loss

 

 

 

b.

 

loss of use of property

 

 

 

c.

 

hospital and medical expenses

 

 

 

d.

 

general damage

 

 

 

e.

 

property damage

 

 

 

f.

 

loss of earning capacity

 

 

 

g.

 

other damage (specify):

12.

 

 

The damages claimed for wrongful death and the relationships of plaintiff to the deceased are

a.

 

 

listed in Attachment 12.

 

 

 

 

as follows:

b.

 

 

13.The relief sought in this complaint is within the jurisdiction of this court.

14.Plaintiff prays for judgment for costs of suit; for such relief as is fair, just, and equitable; and for

a. (1)

 

compensatory damages

(2)

 

punitive damages

 

The amount of damages is (in cases for personal injury or wrongful death, you must check (1)):

(1)

 

according to proof

(2)

 

in the amount of: $

 

15.

The paragraphs of this complaint alleged on information and belief are as follows (specify paragraph numbers):

Date:

(TYPE OR PRINT NAME)

(SIGNATURE OF PLAINTIFF OR ATTORNEY)

PLD-PI-001 [Rev. January 1, 2007]

COMPLAINT—Personal Injury, Property

Damage, Wrongful Death

Page 3 of 3

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