IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
[COUNTY] COUNTY
[PLAINTIFF FULL LEGAL NAME],
Plaintiff,
v.
[DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME],
Defendant.
Civil Action No.: [__]
VERIFIED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY
[Jury Trial Demanded]
[// GUIDANCE: This template conforms to Delaware Superior Court Civil Rules (âDSCCRâ) and incorporates Delaware-specific negligence, comparative-fault, and joint-and-several liability principles. Customize bracketed items, add case-specific facts, and attach any required exhibits (e.g., photographs, medical bills).]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Preliminary Statement
- Parties
- Jurisdiction and Venue
- Definitions
- Factual Allegations
- Count I â Negligence
- Damages, Caps & Joint Liability Allegations
- Demand for Jury Trial
- Prayer for Relief
- Reservation of Rights
- Verification & Rule 11 Certification
- Signature Block
1. Preliminary Statement
1.1âPlaintiff brings this personal-injury action to recover compensatory and, where legally permissible, punitive damages arising from Defendantâs negligent acts and omissions, which directly and proximately caused the Accident (as defined below) and Plaintiffâs resulting injuries.
2. Parties
2.1âPlaintiff [PLAINTIFF NAME] is a resident of [CITY], [COUNTY] County, Delaware.
2.2âDefendant [DEFENDANT NAME] is a resident of [CITY/STATE] and may be served at [SERVICE ADDRESS] pursuant to DSCCR 4(f).
[// GUIDANCE: If Defendant is a business entity, insert place of incorporation/formation, principal place of business, registered agent, and good-standing allegations.]
3. Jurisdiction and Venue
3.1âThis Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under 10 Del. C. § [PLACEHOLDER] because the amount in controversy exceeds the statutory threshold for the Court of Common Pleas.
3.2âThis Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant pursuant to 10 Del. C. § 3104 and DSCCR 4 because Defendant resides in, transacts business in, and/or committed tortious conduct within the State of Delaware.
3.3âVenue is proper in this County under DSCCR 12 because the Accident occurred in [COUNTY] County and/or Defendant resides or does business here.
4. Definitions
For purposes of this Complaint, the following capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below:
âAccidentââmeans the incident occurring on [DATE] at or near [ADDRESS/LOCATION] in [COUNTY] County, Delaware, in which Plaintiff was injured.
âComparative Negligence Statuteââmeans Delawareâs statutory scheme apportioning fault among parties and reducing a plaintiffâs recovery only if the plaintiffâs percentage of fault does not exceed that of a defendant or combined defendants.
âJoint Tortfeasor Actââmeans Delaware law permitting joint-and-several liability among multiple tortfeasors and providing statutory contribution rights.
âLossesââmeans all damages, losses, expenses, costs, attorneysâ fees, interest, and any other relief sought herein.
[// GUIDANCE: Add/delete definitions as needed for products, premises, vehicles, etc.]
5. Factual Allegations
5.1âOn [DATE] at approximately [TIME], Plaintiff was lawfully present at [LOCATION] when Defendant [DESCRIBE NEGLIGENT ACTâe.g., âfailed to keep a proper lookout while operating a motor vehicleâ].
5.2âDefendant owed Plaintiff a duty to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances.
5.3âDefendant breached that duty by, inter alia:
â(a) [FAILING TO OBEY TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES];
â(b) [OPERATING THE VEHICLE WHILE DISTRACTED]; and
â(c) [FURTHER SPECIFIC ACTS/OMISSIONS].
5.4âAs a direct and proximate result of Defendantâs negligence, Plaintiff sustained severe bodily injuries, including but not limited to [LIST INJURIES], has incurred medical expenses in excess of $[AMOUNT], and continues to suffer pain, disability, emotional distress, and loss of lifeâs pleasures.
5.5âPlaintiff has lost wages and earning capacity and expects to incur future medical and rehabilitative expenses.
6. Count I â Negligence
6.1âPlaintiff incorporates by reference Paragraphs 1 through 5 as if fully set forth herein.
6.2âDefendant had a duty to exercise reasonable care toward those, including Plaintiff, who could foreseeably be harmed by Defendantâs actions.
6.3âDefendant breached that duty through the acts and omissions described above.
6.4âDefendantâs breach was the factual and legal (proximate) cause of Plaintiffâs injuries and damages.
6.5âPlaintiffâs own negligence, if any, was less than that of Defendant and/or the combined negligence of all defendants, thereby preserving Plaintiffâs right to recover under the Comparative Negligence Statute.
7. Damages, Caps & Joint Liability Allegations
7.1âPlaintiff seeks damages for:
â(a) Past and future medical expenses;
â(b) Past and future lost wages and diminished earning capacity;
â(c) Past and future pain and suffering;
â(d) Loss of enjoyment of life and emotional distress;
â(e) Property damage (if applicable);
â(f) Pre- and post-judgment interest as allowed by law; and
â(g) Such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
7.2âTo the extent Defendant qualifies for any statutory damage limitation (including governmental-entity caps), Plaintiff demands the maximum amount recoverable under such statute.
7.3âIf additional tortfeasors are later identified, Plaintiff pleads joint-and-several liability under the Joint Tortfeasor Act and reserves the right to amend this Complaint to add such parties.
[// GUIDANCE: Delaware generally has no cap on compensatory damages against private defendants. Insert governmental cap language only if suing the State or a subdivision.]
8. Demand for Jury Trial
Pursuant to Article I, § 4 of the Delaware Constitution and DSCCR 38, Plaintiff demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable.
9. Prayer for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that the Court enter judgment in Plaintiffâs favor and against Defendant in an amount to be determined at trial, together with:
a. Pre- and post-judgment interest;
b. Costs of suit;
c. Reasonable attorneysâ fees where authorized by contract or statute; and
d. Such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
10. Reservation of Rights
10.1âPlaintiff reserves the right to amend this Complaint in accordance with DSCCR 15 to assert additional claims, add parties, or adjust the ad damnum clause as discovery reveals additional facts or damages.
10.2âNothing herein shall be construed as a waiver of any right, remedy, or cause of action available to Plaintiff under Delaware or federal law.
11. Verification & Rule 11 Certification
I, [PLAINTIFF NAME], verify under penalty of perjury that I have read the foregoing Complaint and that the facts stated herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Date: _ Signature: ______
Counsel for Plaintiff certifies, pursuant to DSCCR 11, that to the best of counselâs knowledge, information, and belief, formed after reasonable inquiry, the claims and legal contentions herein are warranted by existing law or a non-frivolous argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law.
12. Signature Block
Respectfully submitted,
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Telephone] | [Email] | Bar ID No. [_____]
By: _________
[ATTORNEY NAME], Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
[OPTIONAL] NOTARY/JURAT (if local practice requires)
[// GUIDANCE: Delaware Superior Court does not mandate notarization of complaints; include only if client prefers additional formality.]
[// GUIDANCE: File complaint with the Prothonotary, pay the filing fee, obtain a Civil Action Number, and promptly serve Defendant in accordance with DSCCR 4. Attach exhibits (e.g., Police Report, medical records) if strategically advantageous but remember such exhibits become public record.]