I just read the complaint against Duke and Kim Curtis. It is well crafted.
The damage amount include acutal and punitive damages and all say in EXCESS of $10,000. This is likely require to file by NC tort law, but that means the plaintiffs may be asking for any amount more. I would guess they will ask for in the 7 or 8 figure range.
Yes, the dollar amount determines what court you file in in most jurisdictions.