In California, a general denial answer serves as one of the many responses to a complaint filed in a civil lawsuit. A general denial is used to give a broad and straightforward response to the allegations made by the plaintiff. By filing a general denial, the defendant states that they deny all the claims in the complaint and requires the plaintiff to provide proof for each allegation. A general denial is often the initial and frequently used response in California civil cases, allowing the defendant to challenge the plaintiff's claims without specifying any detailed defenses at that point. It is used when the defendant does not have enough information or is uncertain about the accuracy of the claims made against them. Here is a general denial answer sample for a civil lawsuit in California: [DEFENDANT'S NAME], the defendant in the above-mentioned action, hereby files this General Denial Answer in response to the plaintiff's complaint. 1. Denies each and every allegation contained in paragraphs [PARAGRAPH NUMBERS] of the plaintiff's complaint, and demands strict proof thereof. 2. Further, denies the allegations contained in paragraphs [PARAGRAPH NUMBERS] based on [BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THE REASON FOR DENIAL]. 3. The defendant denies any and all liability and damages claimed by the plaintiff and demands the plaintiff provide sufficient substantive evidence to support their allegations. 4. The defendant reserved the right to assert affirmative defenses and counterclaims, as discovery and investigation progress during the course of this litigation. The above denial is executed under oath and is made based on the personal knowledge of the defendant, or based on their attorney's reasonable belief after a reasonable inquiry. Different types of general denial answer samples in California may include specific defenses or counterclaims based on the circumstances of the case. Some of these specific types of general denial answers include: 1. General Denial with Affirmative Defenses: In addition to denying all the allegations, the defendant asserts affirmative defenses, stating reasons or legal justifications as to why they shouldn’t be held liable. 2. General Denial with Counterclaims: Besides denying the plaintiff's allegations, the defendant introduces their own counterclaims against the plaintiff, seeking compensation or other remedies. 3. General Denial with Conditional Acceptance: The defendant denies some allegations but conditionally accepts or agrees to others, based on specific circumstances or supporting evidence. 4. Verified General Denial: This type of general denial requires the defendant to swear or affirm under oath that the denial is true and correct to their knowledge. It is essential that individuals consult with an attorney or legal professional to determine the most appropriate type of general denial to file based on their specific case and circumstances. Laws and regulations may vary, and legal advice is crucial to ensure a proper response and defense.