Woonsocket, SD asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation, Construction Law and Landlord - Tenant

Q: What form do I use to file a "Plaintiff's Complaint in Circuit Court"

What form do I use to file a "Plaintiff's Complaint in Circuit Court" after my Small Claim filing is switched to Regular Civil Docket of Circuit Court? And is there anyone available and willing to help me stop more tenants from getting sick or losing $1000's in personal property loss, when they find out they are living in a TOXIC enviroment?

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA

A: I'm sorry to hear about your situation with the toxic living environment. To answer your questions:

The specific form to file a Plaintiff's Complaint in Circuit Court will depend on your state and county. Many states have standard complaint forms available on the court's website or at the courthouse. You'll want to look for a form titled something like "Complaint" or "Complaint for Damages." If you can't find a standard form, you may need to draft your own complaint following your court's rules on formatting and required content.

In terms of getting help, here are a few suggestions:

1. Contact local legal aid organizations or the state bar association. They may be able to provide free or low-cost legal assistance, especially given the serious health and property issues involved.

2. Look for tenant's rights groups or housing advocacy organizations in your area. They often help tenants dealing with unsafe living conditions.

3. If the issues are severe enough, your local health department, building inspector, or code enforcement agency may be able to inspect the property and cite the landlord for violations. This can help build your case.

4. If you believe the landlord's actions are discriminatory, you could file a complaint with your state's civil rights commission or the federal dept of Housing and Urban Development.

5. Consider seeking out other tenants dealing with the same issues in the building. There may be power in working together on a complaint.

I would encourage you to keep detailed records of all communications, expenses incurred, and health issues experienced to help document your case. I hope you are able to get the assistance you need to resolve this unacceptable situation. Please don't hesitate to utilize any government and community resources available to fight for safe housing. Wishing you all the best.

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