CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY EXPLAINS "AD DAMNUM" CLAUSE
I often hear on the news or read in that a person filed a lawsuit seeking $50,000.00. In reality, many times, the plaintiff is seeking in excess of that amount. This bit of information cited by the media originates with the "ad damnum" clause, which is a part of the complaint at law filed on behalf of plaintiffs. The clause typically states, "WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, JANE DOE, demands judgment against Defendant, COMPANY X, in an amount in excess of FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00).
The ad damnum clause does not specify the amount of damages sought as much as it specifies to which division of the court the case should be assigned. In Cook County, where the majority of my personal injury and wrongful death cases are handled, there is a municipal division and a law division. Stating in the complaint at law that Plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $50,000.00 places the cause of action in the Law Division for actions pending in the City of Chicago.
The experienced Chicago personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Kroll can be reached at (312)676-7222 to answer any questions you have regarding your potential case.
