Courts Bulletin and Opinions


Standard Interrogatories Under Supreme Court Rule 213(j)

Under amended Supreme Court Rule 213(j) (eff. January 1, 1996), "[t]he Supreme Court, by administrative order, may approve standard forms of interrogatories for different classes of cases." The committee comments to this rule state, "In an effort to avoid discovery disputes, the practitioner is encouraged to utilize interrogatories approved by the Supreme Court pursuant to paragraph (j) whenever possible." The following interrogatories are hereby approved pursuant to that amended rule. A party may use one or more interrogatories which are part of a form set of interrogatories. Any such interrogatory so used shall be counted as one interrogatory in determining the total number of interrogatories propounded, regardless of any subparts or multiple inquiries therein. A party may combine form interrogatories with other interrogatories, subject to applicable limitations as to number. A party shall avoid propounding a form interrogatory which has no application to the case.

      Counsel should note other provisions of amended Rule 213 that are reflected in these standard interrogatories, and which are applicable to nonstandard interrogatories as well. As the committee comments to amended Rule 213(a) indicate, "[the] prior requirement that the written interrogatories be spaced so as to permit the answering party to answer upon the interrogatory served upon him has been amended to eliminate the spacing requirement, primarily because of the practical and customary way in which interrogatories are answered." Although the proponent of interrogatories may still use spacing between his or her interrogatories, these standard interrogatories do not.

      Also, amended Rule 213(d) retains the requirement that "[w]ithin 28 days after service of the interrogatories upon the party to whom they are directed, the party shall serve a sworn answer or an objection to each interrogatory, with proof service upon all other parties entitled to notice. *** The answering party shall set forth in full each interrogatory being answered immediately preceding the answer." (Emphasis added.) While the supreme court envisions that parties will continue with the practice of creating a new document in response to interrogatories, and it is the duty of the respondent to interrogatories to attest to the truthfulness of his or her answers, these standard interrogatories include sample attestation clauses.

      Finally, under amended Supreme Court Rule 213(i), a party has a duty to seasonably supplement or amend any prior answer or response whenever new or additional information subsequently becomes known to that party. The proponent of the interrogatories may wish to include a reminder of this duty in the interrogatories.

Motor Vehicle Interrogatories to Defendants

     
  1. State the full name of the defendant answering, as well as your current residence address, date of birth, marital status, driver's license number and issuing state, and social security number, and, if different, give the full name, as well as the current residence address, date of birth, marital status, driver's license number and issuing state, and social security number of the individual signing these answers.

         
  2. State the full name and current residence address of each person who witnessed or claims to have witnessed the occurrence that is the subject of this suit.

         
  3. State the full name and current residence address of each person not named in interrogatory No. 2 above who was present and/or claims to have been present at the scene immediately before, at the time of, and/or immediately after the occurrence.

         
  4. As a result of the occurrence, were you made a defendant in any criminal or traffic case? If so, state the court, the caption, the case number, the charge or charges filed against you, whether you pleaded guilty thereto and the final disposition.

         
  5. Were you the owner and/or driver of the vehicle involved in the occurrence? If so, state whether the vehicle was repaired and, if so, state when, where, by whom, and the cost of the repairs.

         
  6. Were you the owner and/or driver of any vehicle involved in the occurrence? If so, state whether you were named or covered under any policy, or policies, of liability insurance effective on the date of the occurrence and, if so, state the name of each such company or companies, the policy number or numbers, the effective period(s) and the maximum liability limits for each person and each occurrence, including umbrella or excess insurance coverage, property damage and medical payment coverage.

         
  7. Do you have any information:
    1. That any plaintiff was, within the five years immediately prior to the occurrence, confined in a hospital and/or clinic, treated by a physician and/or other health professional, or x-rayed for any reason other than personal injury? If so, state each plaintiff so involved, the name and address of each such hospital and/or clinic, physician, technician and/or other health care professional, the approximate date of such confinement or service and state the reason for such confinement or service;
    2. That any plaintiff has suffered any serious personal injury and/or illness prior to the date of the occurrence? If so, state the name of each plaintiff so involved and state when, where and how he or she was injured and/or ill and describe the injuries and/or illness suffered;
    3. That any plaintiff has suffered any serious personal injury and/or illness since the date of the occurrence? If so, state the name of each plaintiff so involved and state when, where and how he or she was injured and/or ill and describe the injuries and/or illness suffered;
    4. That any plaintiff has ever filed any other suit for his or her own personal injuries? If so, state the name of each plaintiff so involved and state the court and caption in which filed, the year filed, the title and docket number of the case.


         
  8. Were any photographs, movies and/or videotapes taken of the scene of the occurrence or of the persons and/or vehicles involved? If so, state the date or dates on which such photographs, movies and/or videotapes were taken, the subject thereof, who now has custody of them, and the name, address and occupation and employer of the person taking them.

         
  9. Have you (or has anyone acting on your behalf) had any conversations with any person at any time with regard to the manner in which the occurrence complained of occurred, or have you overheard any statements made by any person at any time with regard to the injuries complained of by plaintiff or the manner in which the occurrence complained of occurred? If the answer to this interrogatory is in the affirmative, state the following:
    1. The date or dates of such conversations and/or statements;
    2. The place of such conversations and/or statements;
    3. All persons present for the conversations and/or statements;
    4. The matters and things stated by the person in the conversations and/or statements;
    5. Whether the conversation was oral, written and/or recorded; and
    6. Who has possession of the statement if written and/or recorded.


         
  10. Do you know of any statements made by any person relating to the occurrence complained of by the plaintiff? If so, give the name and address of each such witness and the date of the statement, and state whether such statement was written and/or oral.

         
  11. Had you consumed any alcoholic beverage within 12 hours immediately prior to the occurrence? If so, state the names and addresses of those from whom it was obtained, where it was consumed, the particular kind and amount of alcoholic beverage so consumed by you, and the names and current residence addresses of all persons known by you to have knowledge concerning the consumption of the alcoholic beverages.

         
  12. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor involving dishonesty, false statement or a felony? If so, state the nature thereof, the date of the conviction, and the court and the caption in which the conviction occurred. For the purpose of this interrogatory, a plea of guilty shall be considered as a conviction.

         
  13. Had you used any drugs or medications within 24 hours immediately prior to the occurrence? If so, state the names and addresses of those from whom it was obtained, where it was used, the particular kind and amount of drug or medication so used by you, and the names and current residence addresses of all persons known by you to have knowledge concerning the use of the drug or medication.

         
  14. Were you employed on the date of the occurrence? If so, state the name and address of your employer, and the date of employment and termination, if applicable. If your answer is in the affirmative, state the position, title and nature of your occupational responsibilities with respect to your employment.

         
  15. What was the purpose and/or use for which the vehicle was being operated at the time of the occurrence?

         
  16. State the names and addresses of all persons who have knowledge of the purpose for which the vehicle was being used at the time of the occurrence.

         
  17. State the name and address of the registered owner of each vehicle involved in the occurrence.

         
  18. Have you ever had your driver's license suspended or revoked? If so, state whether it was suspended or revoked, the date it was suspended or revoked, the reason for the suspension or revocation, the period of time for which it was suspended or revoked, and the state that issued the license.

         
  19. Do you have or have you had any restrictions on your driver's license? If so, state the nature of the restrictions.

         
  20. Do you have any medical and/or physical condition which required a physician's report and/or letter of approval in order to drive? If so, state the nature of the medical and/or physical condition, the physician or other health care professional who issued the letter and/or report, and the names and addresses of any physician or other health care professional who treated you for this condition prior to the occurrence.

         
  21. State the name and address of any physician, ophthalmologist, optician or other health care professional who performed any eye examination of you within the last five years and the dates of each such examination.

         
  22. State the name and address of any physician or other health care professional who examined and/or treated you within the last 10 years and the reason for such examination and/or treatment.

         
  23. Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 213(f), provide the name and address of each witness who will testify at trial and state the subject of each witness' testimony.

         
  24. Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 213(g), provide the name and address of each opinion witness who will offer any testimony and state:
    1. The subject matter on which the opinion witness is expected to testify;
    2. The conclusions and/or opinions of the opinion witness and the basis therefor, including reports of the witness, if any;
    3. The qualifications of each opinion witness, including a curriculum vitae and/or resume, if any; and
    4. The identity of any written reports of the opinion witness regarding this occurrence.


         
  25. List the names and addresses of all other persons (other than yourself and persons heretofore listed) who have knowledge of the facts of the occurrence and/or of the injuries and damages claimed to have resulted therefrom.

         
  26. Identify any statements, information and/or documents known to you and requested by any of the foregoing interrogatories which you claim to be work product or subject to any common law or statutory privilege, and with respect to each interrogatory, specify the legal basis for the claim as required by Illinois Supreme Court Rule 201(n).

Attestation

STATE OF ILLINOIS      )
                          )SS.
COUNTY OF ____________)

____________________________________, being first duly sworn on oath, deposes and states that he/she is a defendant in the above-captioned matter, that he/she has read the foregoing document, and the answers made herein are true, correct and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief.



___________________________________________
SIGNATURE



SUBSCRIBED and SWORN to before me this
_____ day of _____________________, 19___.



___________________________________________
NOTARY PUBLIC