Please review the complaint FAQs or contact the Board's Complaint Department at 1-800-253-9653 (ext. 501).
Anyone who is 18 years of age or older has the right to start a lawsuit in the North Carolina court system. If the lawsuit is for a claim of $10,000 or less (this amount can vary by county), it can be brought into Small Claims Court, which is available in every county.
I have a problem with a business. Where can I get help? You may wish to file a consumer complaint with the North Carolina Consumer Protection Division. You can file a complaint online or call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM for assistance.
The dollar limit varies from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on local rules. You can contact the clerk of court in your county to find out your local small claims court limit. If you are requesting more than the limit, up to $25,000, your case must be filed in district court.
The complaint states what the plaintiff claims the defendant has done and the remedy that the plaintiff is requesting. Typically, the defendant has 30 days to respond by filing an “answer.” An answer includes the defendant's responses to the plaintiff's allegations and any defenses.
On a separate page or pages, write a short and plain statement of the answer to the allegations in the complaint. Number the paragraphs. The answer should correspond to each paragraph in the complaint, with paragraph 1 of the answer corresponding to paragraph 1 of the complaint, etc.
Your response to the complaint is called the answer. You should respond to each paragraph of the complaint matching your response to the exact number used in the complaint. Be very careful with the statement you make in your answer. These statements can become admissions of facts that could be used against you.
An answer is a response to a complaint that has been filed against you. These forms allow you to file a document telling the Judge which parts of the Plaintiff's complaint that you agree and disagree with. YOU MUST FILE THESE DOCUMENTS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF BEING SERVED WITH THE PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT.
You can file a report against a doctor or medical facility by filling out a complaint on the North Carolina Medical Board's website. You can also download the form and mail it to the Board.