IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA
[_] JUDICIAL DISTRICT
[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,
v.
[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.
Case No.: ______
COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY
(Premises Liability â Slip and Fall)
[// GUIDANCE: This template tracks the Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure (âARCPâ) and Alaska Statutes (âASâ). Bracketed items must be customized before filing. Remove all guidance comments prior to service.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Parties ............................................................................................. 1
- Jurisdiction and Venue ................................................................ 1
- Factual Allegations ....................................................................... 2
- Causes of Action ............................................................................ 3
⢠Count I â Negligence (Premises Liability)
⢠Count II â Negligent Failure to Warn (optional)
⢠Count III â Negligence Per Se (optional) - Damages ........................................................................................ 6
- Reservation of Rights & Amendments .................................. 7
- Prayer for Relief ............................................................................ 7
- Demand for Jury Trial .................................................................. 8
- Verification ..................................................................................... 8
- Certificate of Service ................................................................... 9
1. PARTIES
1.1âPlaintiff [PLAINTIFF NAME] (âPlaintiffâ) is a resident of [COUNTY], Alaska, and at all material times was lawfully on the premises described herein.
1.2âDefendant [DEFENDANT NAME] (âDefendantâ) is a [corporation/LLC/individual] organized under the laws of [STATE] with its principal place of business at [ADDRESS] and is the owner, occupier, and/or controller of the premises located at [PREMISES ADDRESS] (the âPremisesâ).
[// GUIDANCE: Add additional defendants or alter statusâe.g., property manager, maintenance contractor, governmental entity.]
2. JURISDICTION AND VENUE
2.1âThis Court has subject-matter jurisdiction pursuant to AS § 22.10.020 and ARCP 3 because the amount in controversy exceeds $100,000 exclusive of interest and costs.
2.2âVenue is proper in this judicial district under AS § 09.05.010 because the cause of action arose in, and Defendant conducts substantial business within, this district.
2.3âPlaintiffâs claims are timely filed within the two-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions. See AS § 09.10.070 (2023).
2.4âAll conditions precedent, including any statutory notice requirements applicable to governmental entities under AS § 09.50.250 (if relevant), have been satisfied or duly waived.
3. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
3.1âOn [INCIDENT DATE] (the âIncident Dateâ), Plaintiff lawfully entered the Premises as a(n) [invitee/licensee] for the purpose of [DESCRIBE PURPOSE].
3.2âAt approximately [TIME], Plaintiff slipped and fell on [DESCRIBE HAZARDOUS CONDITION, e.g., âan accumulation of ice and snow on the entrance walkwayâ] (the âHazardâ) resulting in severe bodily injuries.
3.3âDefendant knew or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known of the Hazard because:
â(a)â[DESCRIBE ACTUAL NOTICE, e.g., prior complaints, maintenance logs], and/or
â(b)â[DESCRIBE CONSTRUCTIVE NOTICE, e.g., Hazard existed for an unreasonable period].
3.4âDefendant failed to:
â(a)âinspect the Premises at reasonable intervals;
â(b)âremedy the Hazard; and
â(c)âwarn invitees of the dangerous condition.
3.5âAs a direct and proximate result of Defendantâs acts and omissions, Plaintiff sustained injuries including but not limited to [LIST INJURIES], incurred medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
4. CAUSES OF ACTION
COUNT I
NEGLIGENCE (PREMISES LIABILITY)
4.1âPlaintiff incorporates Paragraphs 1.1 through 3.5 as if fully set forth herein.
4.2âDefendant owed Plaintiff a duty to maintain the Premises in a reasonably safe condition and to protect against or warn of dangers of which Defendant knew or should have known.
4.3âDefendant breached that duty by permitting the Hazard to exist and by failing to warn Plaintiff.
4.4âDefendantâs breach was the actual and proximate cause of Plaintiffâs damages.
4.5âUnder Alaskaâs pure comparative fault regime, AS § 09.17.060, Plaintiffâs recovery shall be diminished only by any percentage of fault, if any, attributable to Plaintiff.
COUNT II
NEGLIGENT FAILURE TO WARN (optional)
[// GUIDANCE: Include if facts support a duty to warn independent of maintenance duties.]
4.6âDefendant had a duty to give adequate warning of the Hazard, breached that duty, and thereby caused Plaintiffâs injuries.
COUNT III
NEGLIGENCE PER SE (optional â code/ordinance violation)
4.7âDefendant violated [APPLICABLE BUILDING/SAFETY CODE SECTION], enacted to protect the class of persons including Plaintiff from the type of harm suffered. Violation of that statute constitutes negligence per se.
5. DAMAGES
5.1âEconomic Damages
â(a)âPast medical expenses:â$[_]
â(b)âFuture medical expenses:â$[_]
â(c)âPast lost wages:â$[_]
â(d)âFuture loss of earning capacity:â$[_]
5.2âNon-Economic Damages
â(a)âPain and suffering;
â(b)âLoss of enjoyment of life;
â(c)âEmotional distress.
â[// GUIDANCE: Alaska caps certain noneconomic damages; see AS § 09.17.010. Evaluate applicabilityâe.g., $400,000 or $1 million cap for severe impairment.]
5.3âPre- and post-judgment interest as allowed by AS § 09.30.070 and AS § 09.30.065.
5.4âPlaintiff seeks attorneyâs fees and costs per ARCP 82.
6. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS & AMENDMENTS
6.1âPlaintiff reserves the right to amend this Complaint pursuant to ARCP 15 to assert additional claims or join additional parties as discovery progresses.
7. PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that judgment be entered in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendant as follows:
A.âAwarding economic damages in an amount to be proved at trial;
B.âAwarding non-economic damages subject to statutory caps, if any;
C.âAwarding pre- and post-judgment interest as allowed by law;
D.âAwarding attorneyâs fees and costs per ARCP 82;
E.âGranting such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
8. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
Pursuant to Article I, Section 11 of the Alaska Constitution and ARCP 38, Plaintiff demands trial by jury on all issues so triable.
9. VERIFICATION
I, [PLAINTIFF NAME], verify under penalty of perjury that I have read the foregoing Complaint and that the factual statements contained herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Date: ___
[PLAINTIFF NAME]
10. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that on this ___ day of __, 20, a true and correct copy of the foregoing was served on:
â˘â[DEFENSE COUNSEL NAME & ADDRESS]
ââ[ ] By first-class U.S. Mail
ââ[ ] By electronic mail (per ARCP 5.1)
ââ[ ] By hand delivery
[ATTORNEY NAME], ABA No. ______
Attorney for Plaintiff
SIGNATURE BLOCK
Respectfully submitted,
Dated: ____
[ATTORNEY NAME], ABA No. ______
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[TEL]â[ ]â[EMAIL]
Attorney for Plaintiff
[// GUIDANCE:
1. Confirm that any governmental defendant has received written notice within the statutorily prescribed period (AS § 09.50.250) prior to filing.
2. Investigate whether Defendant qualifies for statutory caps or special immunities.
3. Attach a Civil Case Cover Sheet (CIV-100) and pay the required filing fee upon filing.
4. After service, file proof of service (ARCP 4(l)).
5. Consider early preservation letters to avoid spoliation of surveillance footage, maintenance logs, and snow removal records.]