Complaint for Conversion Seeking Punitive Damages

Conversion occurs when someone wrongfully uses property of another for their own purposes or alters or destroys it. In an action for conversion, the taking of the property may be lawful, but the retaining of the property is unlawful. To succeed in the action, the plaintiff must generally prove that he or she demanded the property returned and the defendant refused to do so.

Punitive damages are damages awarded in a lawsuit as a punishment and example to deter others from malicious, evil or particularly fraudulent acts. Plaintiff has the burden of proving that punitive damages should be awarded, and the amount, by a preponderance of the evidence. In order to succeed, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant's conduct was malicious, or in reckless disregard of plaintiff's rights.

The following form is a complaint that adopts the notice pleadings format of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which have been adopted by most states in one form or another.