What document initiates a lawsuit for damages in civil procedure?

The correct answer is the complaint, which is the document that initiates a lawsuit in civil procedure. The complaint outlines the plaintiff's grievances, sets forth the facts of the case, and specifies the legal grounds for the lawsuit. By filing a complaint with the court, the plaintiff formally requests that the court adjudicate the issues raised and provide a remedy for the harm suffered.

A key aspect of the complaint is that it not only initiates the case but also serves to notify the defendant of the claims against them and provides a basis for the defendant to prepare their defense. It essentially starts the legal process and sets the stage for subsequent steps, including the discovery phase and trial if the case does not settle.

The other options refer to different stages or elements of the legal process. For instance, a response generally refers to the defendant's reply to the allegations made in the complaint, while an answer specifically is the formal response from the defendant that addresses each allegation in the complaint and may present any defenses. A petition is commonly used in certain legal contexts, such as family law or probate cases, but is not the standard term for initiating a lawsuit for damages in civil procedure.