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Litigation Drafting Resources

Steps to research major documents in litigation

Petition for Damages Search Steps

Lexis.com > States Legal > View More > Missouri > Search Analysis & CLE Material > Missouri Tort Law (MoBarCLE) > browse by subject matter

Lexis.com > States Legal > View More > Missouri > Search Analysis & CLE Material > Missouri Civil Trial Practice (MoBarCLE) > browse chapter 4 for Pleadings, Section VI. Drafting Pleadings

WestlawNext > Forms > by Publication >  Lane’s Goldstein Litigation Forms > Part II Pleadings > search Ch. 8 “Complaints”

WestlawNext > State Materials > Missouri > Missouri Practice Series > Petitions

WestlawNext > State Materials > Missouri > Missouri Practice Series > Personal Injury and Torts Handbook  >  Chapter 5 Damages (note: last section of each chapter frequently has sample form for that type of action)

WestlawNext > Secondary Sources > Texts & Treatises > American Jurisprudence Trials > advanced search e.g. title( “crib death”) and text(complaint or petition)

Sample Slip and Fall Complaint

[Caption]

The above named Plaintiff(s), through [his or her or their] attorney, , as and for [his or her or their] complaint against the respective Defendant(s), allege(s) as follows:

1. That at all times pertinent hereto, the Plaintiff(s) was/were and continue to be residents of the County of  and State of .

2. That at all times pertinent hereto, the Defendant, , was and continues to be a [(resident of the County of State of )] [corporation authorized to do business within the State of  and at all times pertinent herein maintained an office for the transaction of such business at [address], County of , State of ].

3. That heretofore and on or about [date], at or about [location], the Plaintiff, , was proceeding [location] of the aforesaid premises, [he or she] was caused to slip and fall and sustained serious physical injuries because of the dangerous and unlawful conditions of said area caused by the Defendant's negligence in design and/or maintenance as well as by an accumulation of .

4. That at the time of said accident, the Plaintiff, , was lawfully upon said premises [state reason].

5. That, upon information and belief, at all times herein mentioned, the Defendant, , reserved control over the area wherein the above described fall occurred.

6. That the Plaintiff  did not contribute to the happening of the incident in any way.

7. That the aforesaid accident was the consequence wholly and solely of the negligence of the Defendant(s).

8. That the Plaintiff  did not contribute to the happening of the incident in any way.

9. That by reason of the foregoing, the Plaintiff  was caused to become sick, sore, lame and disabled, and was prevented from attending to [his or her] usual duties and occupation, and was compelled to secure medical care and attention, and may, in the future, be compelled to secure additional medical care and attention in an effort to heal [his or her] said injuries all to[his or her] damage in the sum of $[amount].

AS AND FOR A SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION ON BEHALF OF THE PLAINTIFFS AGAINST THE DEFENDANTS, IT IS ALLEGED:

10. That the Plaintiff  repeats and realleges each and every allegation contained in paragraphs marked and numbered  through  as if fully set forth herein.

11. That prior to and at all times herein mentioned, the Plaintiff  was and still continues to be the lawful [wife or husband] of the Plaintiff .

12. That by reason of the foregoing and by reason of the Defendant's negligence, Plaintiff  has been deprived of the companionship and society of [his wife or her husband], the Plaintiff  all to [his or her] damage in the sum of $[amount].

WHEREFORE, the Plaintiff demands judgment against the Defendant as follows:

a. $[amount] on the first cause of action.

b. $[amount] on the second cause of action.

c. Whatever relief the court deems just and appropriate.

DATED: [date of complaint]

 [Name of Attorney for Plaintiff]