Form JS 44 (Rev. 08/18), Civil Cover Sheet Instructions
This form contains 134 fields organized into 27 sections. Below is a complete list of every field, its type, and what information is expected.
| Field Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney Signature and Date | ||
| Attorney Signature Date | Date |
Enter the date on which the attorney signed the civil cover sheet.
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| Signature of Attorney of Record | Text |
Provide the signature text of the attorney of record signing this civil cover sheet.
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| Basis of Jurisdiction | ||
| Federal Question (U.S. Government Not a Party) | Checkbox |
Check this box if jurisdiction is based on a federal question and the U.S. Government is not a party.
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| U.S. Government Plaintiff | Checkbox |
Check this box if the basis of jurisdiction is that the United States Government is the plaintiff in the case.
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| U.S. Government Defendant | Checkbox |
Check this box if the basis of jurisdiction is that the United States Government is the defendant in the case.
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| Diversity | Checkbox |
Check this box if jurisdiction is based on diversity of citizenship (and you will indicate the parties’ citizenship in Item III).
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| Cause of Action | ||
| Cause of Action – U.S. Civil Statute | Text |
Enter the U.S. civil statute under which the case is being filed.
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| Cause of Action – Brief Description | Text |
Provide a brief description of the cause of action for the case.
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| Citizenship (Defendant) | ||
| Defendant - Citizen of this State | CheckBox |
Depends on:
Diversity
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| Defendant - Incorporated or Principal Place of Business in This State | Checkbox |
Check this box if the defendant is incorporated in this state or has its principal place of business in this state. Fill only if 'Diversity' is 'Yes'.
Depends on:
Diversity
|
| Defendant - Citizen of Another State | CheckBox |
Depends on:
Diversity
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| Defendant - Incorporated and Principal Place of Business in Another State | Checkbox |
Check this box if the defendant is incorporated and has its principal place of business in a different state than this one. Fill only if 'Diversity' is 'Yes'.
Depends on:
Diversity
|
| Defendant - Citizen or Subject of a foreign Country | CheckBox |
Depends on:
Diversity
|
| Defendant - Foreign Nation | Checkbox |
Check this box if the defendant is a foreign nation. Fill only if 'Diversity' is 'Yes'.
Depends on:
Diversity
|
| Citizenship (Plaintiff) | ||
| Citizen of This State (Plaintiff) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the plaintiff is a citizen of the state where this federal court is located. Fill only if 'Diversity' is 'Yes'.
Depends on:
Diversity
|
| Plaintiff - Incorporated or Principal Place of Business in this State | CheckBox |
Depends on:
Diversity
|
| Citizen of Another State (Plaintiff) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the plaintiff is a citizen of a U.S. state different from the state where this federal court is located. Fill only if 'Diversity' is 'Yes'.
Depends on:
Diversity
|
| Plaintiff - Incorporated or Principal Place of Business in Another State | CheckBox |
Depends on:
Diversity
|
| Citizen or Subject of a Foreign Country (Plaintiff) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the plaintiff is a citizen or subject of a foreign country (not a U.S. citizen). Fill only if 'Diversity' is 'Yes'.
Depends on:
Diversity
|
| Plaintiff - Foreign Nation | CheckBox |
Depends on:
Diversity
|
| Defendant Information | ||
| Defendants | Text |
Enter the name(s) of the defendant(s) in this case.
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| County of Residence (First Listed Defendant) | Text |
Enter the county where the first listed defendant resides. Fill only if 'U.S. Government Plaintiff' is 'Yes'.
Depends on:
U.S. Government Plaintiff
|
| Defendant Attorneys (If Known) | Text |
Enter the defendant’s attorney information, including firm name, address, and telephone number, if known.
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| General | ||
| Opens Print Menu | Button | |
| Allows you to give the file a new name when saving | Button | |
| Resets the entire form | Button | |
| Jury Demand | ||
| Jury Demand: Yes | Radiobutton |
Check this box if a jury trial is demanded in the complaint.
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| Jury Demand: No | Radiobutton |
Check this box if a jury trial is not demanded in the complaint.
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| Nature of Suit - Bankruptcy | ||
| 422 Appeal (28 USC 158) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a bankruptcy appeal under 28 U.S.C. § 158.
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| 423 Withdrawal (28 USC 157) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves withdrawal of the reference under 28 U.S.C. § 157.
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| Nature of Suit - Civil Rights | ||
| 440 Other Civil Rights | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s primary Nature of Suit is Civil Rights code 440 (Other Civil Rights).
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| 444 Americans with Disabilities – Employment | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s primary Nature of Suit is Civil Rights code 444 (Americans with Disabilities – Employment).
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| 441 Voting | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s primary Nature of Suit is Civil Rights code 441 (Voting).
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| 442 Employment | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s primary Nature of Suit is Civil Rights code 442 (Employment).
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| 443 Housing/Accommodations | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s primary Nature of Suit is Civil Rights code 443 (Housing/Accommodations).
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| 445 Americans with Disabilities – Other | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s primary Nature of Suit is Civil Rights code 445 (Americans with Disabilities – Other).
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| 448 Education | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s primary Nature of Suit is Civil Rights code 448 (Education).
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| Nature of Suit - Contract | ||
| 110 Insurance | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is an insurance-related contract dispute (Nature of Suit 110).
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| 120 Marine | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves a marine contract dispute (Nature of Suit 120).
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| 130 Miller Act | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case arises under the Miller Act (Nature of Suit 130).
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| 140 Negotiable Instrument | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves a dispute over a negotiable instrument (Nature of Suit 140).
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| 150 Recovery of Overpayment & Enforcement of Judgment | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case seeks recovery of an overpayment or enforcement of a judgment (Nature of Suit 150).
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| 151 Medicare Act | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is brought under the Medicare Act (Nature of Suit 151).
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| 152 Recovery of Defaulted Student Loans (Excludes Veterans) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case seeks recovery on defaulted student loans (excluding veterans) (Nature of Suit 152).
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| 153 Recovery of Overpayment of Veteran's Benefits | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case seeks recovery of an overpayment of veterans' benefits (Nature of Suit 153).
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| 160 Stockholders' Suits | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a stockholder/shareholder lawsuit involving a contract or corporate dispute (Nature of Suit 160).
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| 190 Other Contract | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a contract dispute not covered by the other listed contract categories (Nature of Suit 190).
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| 195 Contract Product Liability | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves product liability asserted under contract/warranty theories (Nature of Suit 195).
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| 196 Franchise | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves a franchise agreement or franchise-related dispute (Nature of Suit 196).
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| Nature of Suit - Federal Tax Suits | ||
| 870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff or Defendant) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a federal tax suit classified as “870 Taxes” where the United States is the plaintiff or the defendant.
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| 871 IRS—Third Party (26 USC 7609) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is an IRS third-party summons matter under 26 U.S.C. § 7609 (Nature of Suit 871).
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| Nature of Suit - Forfeiture/Penalty | ||
| Forfeiture/Penalty: 625 Drug Related Seizure of Property (21 USC 881) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the nature of suit is a drug-related seizure/forfeiture of property under 21 U.S.C. § 881.
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| Forfeiture/Penalty: 690 Other | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a forfeiture/penalty action that does not fit the drug-related seizure category.
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| Nature of Suit - Immigration | ||
| 462 Naturalization Application | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s nature of suit is a naturalization application (code 462).
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| 465 Other Immigration Actions | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves an immigration action other than a naturalization application (code 465).
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| Nature of Suit - Labor | ||
| Labor - 710 Fair Labor Standards Act | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s nature of suit is Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) claims (e.g., minimum wage or overtime).
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| Labor - 720 Labor/Management Relations | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case concerns labor/management relations disputes (e.g., union-management issues).
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| Labor - 740 Railway Labor Act | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case arises under the Railway Labor Act.
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| Labor - 751 Family and Medical Leave Act | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
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| Labor - 790 Other Labor Litigation | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is labor-related but does not fit the other listed labor categories.
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| Labor - 791 Employee Retirement Income Security Act | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves claims under ERISA (employee benefit/retirement plan matters).
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| Nature of Suit - Other Statutes | ||
| 375 False Claims Act | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s nature of suit is False Claims Act (code 375).
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| 376 Qui Tam (31 USC 3729(a)) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a qui tam action under 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a) (code 376).
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| 400 State Reapportionment | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case concerns state reapportionment (code 400).
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| 410 Antitrust | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is an antitrust matter (code 410).
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| 430 Banks and Banking | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves banks and banking laws (code 430).
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| 450 Commerce | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves commerce laws or commerce-related claims (code 450).
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| 460 Deportation | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case concerns deportation (code 460).
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| 470 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is brought under RICO (code 470).
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| 480 Consumer Credit | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves consumer credit issues or laws (code 480).
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| 485 Telephone Consumer Protection Act | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (code 485).
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| 490 Cable/Sat TV | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves cable or satellite television laws/claims (code 490).
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| 850 Securities/Commodities/Exchange | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves securities, commodities, or exchange-related laws/claims (code 850).
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| 890 Other Statutory Actions | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is an “other statutory action” not otherwise listed (code 890).
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| 891 Agricultural Acts | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves agricultural acts or agricultural law claims (code 891).
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| 893 Environmental Matters | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case concerns environmental matters or environmental law claims (code 893).
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| 895 Freedom of Information Act | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) matter (code 895).
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| Nature of Suit_240 | CheckBox | |
| 896 Arbitration | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is an arbitration-related action (e.g., compel/confirm/vacate arbitration) (code 896).
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| 899 Administrative Procedure Act/Review or Appeal of Agency Decision | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case seeks review of an agency decision under the APA or similar administrative review (code 899).
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| 950 Constitutionality of State Statutes | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case challenges the constitutionality of a state statute (code 950).
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| Nature of Suit - Prisoner Petitions | ||
| 463 Habeas Corpus – Alien Detainee | Checkbox |
Check this box if the nature of suit is a habeas corpus petition involving an alien detainee (code 463).
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| 510 Habeas Corpus – Motions to Vacate Sentence | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a habeas corpus matter seeking to vacate, set aside, or correct a sentence (code 510).
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| 530 Habeas Corpus – General | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a general habeas corpus petition not better described by the other habeas options (code 530).
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| 535 Habeas Corpus – Death Penalty | Checkbox |
Check this box if the habeas corpus petition relates to a death penalty sentence (code 535).
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| 540 Other – Mandamus & Other | Checkbox |
Check this box if the prisoner petition is for mandamus relief or another similar prisoner petition not covered by the other listed categories (code 540).
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| 550 Other – Civil Rights | Checkbox |
Check this box if the prisoner petition is a civil rights action (typically under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 or similar) (code 550).
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| 555 Other – Prison Condition | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case challenges prison conditions or treatment while incarcerated (code 555).
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| 560 Other – Civil Detainee – Conditions of Confinement | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case concerns conditions of confinement for a civil detainee rather than a criminal prisoner (code 560).
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| Nature of Suit - Property Rights | ||
| 820 Copyrights | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s nature of suit is Copyrights (code 820).
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| 830 Patent | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s nature of suit is Patent (code 830).
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| 835 Patent - Abbreviated New Drug Application | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s nature of suit is Patent – Abbreviated New Drug Application (code 835).
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| 840 Trademark | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s nature of suit is Trademark (code 840).
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| Nature of Suit - Real Property | ||
| Real Property - 210 Land Condemnation | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s nature of suit is land condemnation (government taking of real property through eminent domain).
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| Real Property - 230 Rent, Lease & Ejectment | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case concerns rent or lease disputes, eviction/ejectment, or related landlord-tenant possession issues.
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| Real Property - 290 All Other Real Property | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves real property but does not fit the other real property categories listed.
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| Real Property - 220 Foreclosure | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s nature of suit is a foreclosure action involving real property.
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| Real Property - 240 Torts to Land | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case involves a tort affecting land (such as trespass, nuisance, or other damage/interference with real property).
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| Nature of Suit - Social Security | ||
| 861 HIA (1395ff) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s nature of suit is Social Security code 861 (HIA) under 42 U.S.C. § 1395ff.
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| 862 Black Lung (923) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s nature of suit is Social Security code 862 (Black Lung) under 30 U.S.C. § 923.
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| 863 DIWC/DIWW (405(g)) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s nature of suit is Social Security code 863 (DIWC/DIWW) under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
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| 864 SSID Title XVI | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s nature of suit is Social Security code 864 (SSID Title XVI).
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| 865 RSI (405(g)) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case’s nature of suit is Social Security code 865 (RSI) under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
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| Nature of Suit - Torts (Personal Injury) | ||
| 310 Airplane | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a personal injury tort action involving an airplane (other than product liability).
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| 315 Airplane Product Liability | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a personal injury tort action alleging product liability involving an airplane or aircraft component.
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| 320 Assault, Libel & Slander | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a personal injury tort action based on assault and/or defamation (libel or slander).
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| 330 Federal Employers' Liability | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a personal injury tort action brought under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA).
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| 340 Marine | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a personal injury tort action arising from a marine or maritime incident (not a product liability claim).
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| 345 Marine Product Liability | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a personal injury tort action alleging product liability involving a marine or maritime product.
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| 350 Motor Vehicle | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a personal injury tort action arising from a motor vehicle incident (not a product liability claim).
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| 355 Motor Vehicle Product Liability | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a personal injury tort action alleging product liability involving a motor vehicle or vehicle component.
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| 360 Other Personal Injury | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a personal injury tort action that does not fit the other listed personal injury categories.
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| 362 Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a personal injury tort action alleging medical malpractice.
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| Nature of Suit - Torts (Personal Property Damage) | ||
| 370 Other Fraud | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a tort action primarily involving fraud (other than specific fraud categories listed elsewhere).
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| 371 Truth in Lending | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is primarily a Truth in Lending Act (TILA) dispute or other truth-in-lending claim.
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| 380 Other Personal Property Damage | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a tort claim primarily seeking damages to personal property and does not fit the other listed tort categories.
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| 385 Property Damage Product Liability | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a product liability action where the primary injury claimed is damage to personal property (not personal injury).
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| Nature of Suit - Torts (Product Liability) | ||
| Personal Injury – 365 Personal Injury - Product Liability | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a tort action for personal injury based on product liability.
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| Personal Injury – 367 Health Care/Pharmaceutical Personal Injury Product Liability | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a product liability personal injury claim involving health care or pharmaceutical products.
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| Personal Injury – 368 Asbestos Personal Injury Product Liability | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is a personal injury product liability claim involving asbestos exposure.
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| Origin | ||
| 1 Original Proceeding | Checkbox |
Check this box if this is a new civil case being filed in this court (not removed, transferred, remanded, reinstated, or an MDL case).
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| 2 Removed from State Court | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case was removed from a state court to this U.S. District Court.
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| 3 Remanded from Appellate Court | Checkbox |
Check this box if an appellate court remanded the case back to this district court.
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| 4 Reinstated or Reopened | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is being reopened or reinstated after having been previously closed in this court.
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| 5 Transferred from Another District | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case was transferred to this district from another U.S. District Court.
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| 6 Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) - Transfer | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is being transferred to or from this district by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL transfer).
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| 8 Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) - Direct File | Checkbox |
Check this box if the case is being directly filed into an MDL in this district (MDL direct-file case).
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| Plaintiff Information | ||
| Plaintiffs | Text |
Enter the name(s) and address information for the plaintiff(s) in this case.
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| County of Residence (First Listed Plaintiff) | Text |
Enter the county where the first listed plaintiff resides. Fill only if 'U.S. Government Plaintiff' is 'No'.
Depends on:
U.S. Government Plaintiff
|
| Plaintiff Attorney Information | Text |
Enter the plaintiff’s attorney or law firm name, address, and telephone number (if known).
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| Related Case(s) | ||
| Related Case Judge | Text |
Enter the name of the judge assigned to the related case, if any.
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| Related Case Docket Number | Text |
Enter the docket number for the related case, if any.
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| Requested in Complaint (Class Action and Demand Amount) | ||
| Class action (Rule 23) | Checkbox |
Check this box if the complaint asserts that the case is a class action under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23.
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| Demand Amount | Number |
Enter the total monetary amount demanded in the complaint.
|