Baker v. Sears Holdings Corp.

557 F. Supp. 2d 1208, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 74021, 2007 WL 2908434

• Court: District Court, D. Colorado
• Decided: October 3, 2007
• Docket: 1:07-mj-01106
• Status: Published

Opinion

ORDER REMANDING CASE TO STATE COURT

MARCIA S. KRIEGER, District Judge.

THIS MATTER comes before the Court following issuance of an Order to Show Cause (#4) asking the parties why the case should not be remanded to state court. Upon consideration of the parties’ responses (# 5, # 6, # 7), the Court

FINDS and CONCLUDES that:

I. Factual and Procedural Background

On May 4, 2007, the Plaintiff, Rose M. Baker, filed her Complaint in the District Court for Jefferson County (hereinafter, “the State Court”), seeking relief from the Defendant, Sears Holding Corporation, under the Colorado premises liability statute 1 for injuries she sustained during a trip-and-fall incident at a Sears store. In her Complaint, the Plaintiff prays for an unquantified award of damages described as “direct and consequential damages flowing from the conduct of Defendant including damages for past, present, and future physical pain ...; for interest as provided by law; for expert witness fees, attorneys’ fees and costs; and any other relief this Court deems proper.”

When she commenced the State Court action, the Plaintiff filed a Civil Cover Sheet as required by C.R.C.P. 8(a). Although no copy of the Civil Cover Sheet is in this Court’s record, its form is prescribed by the State rule. On the Civil Cover Sheet, a plaintiff is required to check one or more boxes indicating whether the simplified procedure of C.R.C.P. 16.1 applies. Here, the parties agree that the Plaintiff checked the box which states: “This party is seeking a monetary judgment for more than $100,000 against another party, including any attorney fees, penalties or punitive damages, but excluding interest and costs[.]”

The Defendant filed a Notice of Removal (# 1) in which it invokes the Court’s jurisdiction pursuant to the federal diversity jurisdiction statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1332. In the Notice of Removal, the Defendant contends this Court may exercise diversity jurisdiction because the parties are diverse and the Plaintiffs Civil Cover Sheet stating that she is seeking a monetary judgment for more than $100,000 satisfies the amount in controversy requirement of 28 U.S.C. § 1332.

This Court issued an Order to Show Cause why the case should not be remanded for failure to allege sufficient facts to establish the amount in controversy required for diversity jurisdiction. Both parties responded. The Plaintiff has no objection to this Court remanding the case. The Defendant acknowledges that the parties have not engaged in any discussions with regard to the amount in controversy, continues to rely upon the Civil Cover Sheet as a demonstration of the amount in controversy, and observes that an award of damages for the claimed injuries to Plaintiffs shoulder, arm and hand could exceed $75,000.

II. Issue Presented

The issue presented is whether the Defendant’s reliance upon a Civil Cover Sheet filed by the Plaintiff in the State Court, and speculation as to the amount of damages the Plaintiff seeks, are sufficient to establish that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000 in order for this Court to exercise diversity jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332.

There is no binding precedent addressing this issue. The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals has not addressed the issue, nor has the undersigned. However, at least two other judges of this court have determined that the Civil Cover Sheet is not sufficient to establish the amount in controversy for purposes of federal diversity jurisdiction. See Braden v. Kmart Corp., 2007 WL 2757628 (D.Colo. Sept.20, 2007) (slip opinion); Livingston v. American Family Mut. Ins. Co., 2007 WL 2601207 (D.Colo. Sept.10, 2007) (slip opinion). Several other judges of this court have tangentially considered the importance of the Colorado Civil Cover sheet in determining the amount in controversy for diversity jurisdiction purposes, but none of their opinions of which the undersigned is aware 2 have determined its sufficiency in the absence of other material facts in the notice of removal or complaint in the state court action. With deference to the reasoning of other members of this court, the undersigned addresses the issue.

III. Analysis

A. Jurisdiction of Federal District Courts

Federal district courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, and must have both a constitutional and statutory basis for exercising jurisdiction. See Lovell v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 466 F.3d 893, 897 (10th Cir.2006); Estate of Harshman v. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Corp., 379 F.3d 1161, 1164 (10th Cir.2004). Consequently, courts have an independent obligation to examine their jurisdiction in every case, even when the issue of jurisdiction is not raised by any party. See Lo-vell, 466 F.3d at 897.

One statutory basis for federal court jurisdiction in civil cases is 28 U.S.C. § 1332, pursuant to which a court exercises so-called “diversity jurisdiction” over state law claims. This statute provides, in pertinent part: “The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of all civil actions where the matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and is between ... citizens of different States[.]” 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a). When a case satisfying these criteria is commenced in a state court, the defendant may move the action to federal court by filing a notice of removal. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1441(a) & 1446. However, statutes which confer federal court jurisdiction—particularly removal statutes—are to be narrowly construed so as to preserve the limited role of federal courts. See Pritchett v. Office Depot, Inc., 420 F.3d 1090, 1094-95 (10th Cir.2005).

For purposes of diversity jurisdiction, the matter (or amount) in controversy is determined in one of two ways, depending upon where the case was commenced. In cases initiated in federal court, a court examines the complaint and determines whether it contains factual allegations sufficient to establish the required amount in controversy. See Adams v. Reliance Standard Life Ins. Co., 225 F.3d 1179, 1183 (10th Cir.2000). In such a case, the amount claimed by the plaintiff is presumed to be sufficient to support diversity jurisdiction. See Martin v. Franklin Capital Corp., 251 F.3d 1284, 1289 (10th Cir.2001). However, in removed cases, the amount in controversy must be evident from the allegations of either the complaint or the notice of removal. 3 See Laughlin v. Kmart Corp., 50 F.3d 871, 873 (10th Cir.1995); Martin, 251 F.3d at 1290. In a removed case, there is a strong presumption that the plaintiff has not claimed a large enough amount to confer jurisdiction. See St. Paul Mercury Indem. Co. v. Red Cab Co., 303 U.S. 283, 290-92, 58 S.Ct. 586, 82 L.Ed. 845 (1938). Concomitantly, there is a strong presumption against removal. See Martin, 251 F.3d at 1289. Indeed, when it “appears” that a district court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, it is required to remand the case to state court. 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c).

The “amount in controversy” is measured by the value of the object of the litigation. See Lovell, 466 F.3d at 897 (quoting Hunt v. Washington State Apple Advertising Com’n, 432 U.S. 333, 347, 97 S.Ct. 2434, 53 L.Ed.2d 383 (1977)). Under the “either viewpoint rule” followed in the Tenth Circuit, such “value” can be either what the plaintiff seeks to recover monetarily, or what the cost would be to the defendant if the plaintiff in fact recovers on a request for declaratory or injunctive relief. Id.; see also Ronzio v. Denver & R.G. W.R. Co., 116 F.2d 604, 606-07 (10th Cir.1940).

However, the monetary relief requested by a plaintiff is not necessarily the amount in controversy for purposes of 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a). First, as is evident by the language of the statute itself, the amount in controversy does not include an anticipated award of interest and costs in the action. 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a); see Farmers Ins. Co., Inc. v. McClain, 603 F.2d 821, 823 (10th Cir.1979). 4 Therefore, if a plaintiff seeks recovery of an amount which includes interest and costs to be incurred throughout litigation of the action, then the amount requested would not accurately reflect the amount in controversy, which instead would be something less than the total amount sought.

In addition, the amount in controversy is also limited to what a plaintiff can recover under applicable law. See Bell v. Preferred Life Assur. Soc. of Montgomery, Ala., 320 U.S. 238, 240-41, 64 S.Ct. 5, 88 L.Ed. 15 (1943); see also Miera v. Dairyland Ins. Co., 143 F.3d 1337, 1339-40 (10th Cir.1998). For example, attorney fees can be included in the amount in controversy only if the underlying state law permits an award, but only a reasonable estimate may be used. See Miera, 143 F.3d at 1340 (citing Missouri State Life Ins. Co. v. Jones, 290 U.S. 199, 202, 54 S.Ct. 133, 78 L.Ed. 267 (1933)). Similarly, punitive damages may be included in the amount in controversy if awardable under applicable state law, but only in the amount which the state law authorizes. See Watson v. Blankinship, 20 F.3d 383, 386 (10th Cir.1994); Bell, 320 U.S. at 240- 41, 64 S.Ct. 5. For instance, in Colorado personal injury actions, the amount of punitive damages which can be recovered is statutorily limited to an equivalent amount of actual damages. § 13—21—102(1)(a), C.R.S. Thus, in such cases, punitive damages can be counted in the amount in controversy, but only on a dollar for dollar basis in comparison to the actual damages sought.

B. Colorado Civil Cover Sheets and Diversity Jurisdiction

The Defendant relies solely upon the Plaintiffs Civil Cover Sheet, filed in the State Court, in invoking this Court’s jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332. In Colorado, all plaintiffs are required to file a Civil Cover Sheet when they commence a civil action. C.R.C.P. 8(a); Appendix to Chapters 1 to 17, Form 1.2 (JDF 601). The purpose of the Civil Cover Sheet is to advise the state court whether the plaintiff believes that the case should be subject to the “simplified procedure” of C.R.C.P. 16.1. 5 The form of the Civil Cover Sheet is as follows:

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First, the Court observes what a Civil Cover Sheet is not. It is, first and foremost, not a pleading. Indeed, the Civil Cover Sheet expressly states: “This cover sheet shall not be considered a pleading for purposes of C.R.C.P. 11.” Consequently, because it is not a pleading, the Civil Cover Sheet is not “an exhibit” to nor part of the complaint under C.R.C.P. 10(c). Because it is not a pleading, it is not subject to the requirement that the signer investigate the factual or legal allegations prior to assertion. C.R.C.P. 11(a).

Second, the Court observes what the Civil Cover Sheet does not do. It allows a plaintiff to specify a type of procedure to be used in the state case based upon an election as to whether the judgment sought is greater or less than $100,000, but such election does not contain any specification as to what the components of the requested judgment are.

The Court concludes that reliance solely on the Civil Cover Sheet as a demonstration of the amount in controversy is not permissible, for several reasons. First, the law in the Tenth Circuit is clear. To determine the amount in controversy, this Court may look at the initial pleading (the complaint) or the notice of the removal. A complaint is signed and certified by counsel pursuant to C.R.C.P. 11 and a notice of removal is signed and certified by counsel pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. II. 6 Although there are differences between the two rules, they share common ground in that both require counsel to conduct a reasonable inquiry before fifing the document, and to certify to the best of his or her knowledge, information, and belief, that the facts and claims alleged can be supported. Because the Civil Cover Sheet does not contain such certification, it does not constitute reliable evidence of the amount in controversy. Reference to it in the notice of removal does not cure the problem because the attorney signing the notice of removal necessarily is not the attorney who made the election in the Civil Cover Sheet.

A second problem with the Civil Cover Sheet is that the election is simply too imprecise to make the requisite demonstration of the amount in controversy for purposes of diversity jurisdiction. The representation made in the Civil Cover Sheet is that the plaintiff seeks “a monetary judgment for more than $100,000 ... including any attorney fees, penalties or punitive damages, but excluding interest and eosts[.]” From this representation, the Court cannot determine what law is applicable or whether the plaintiff seeks an amount which can be recovered under the applicable law. For example, the Court cannot tell whether the plaintiff seeks punitive damages in a ratio allowed or prohibited by statute, whether the plaintiff seeks attorney fees which can legally be recovered, or whether the fees are reasonable vis a vis the actual damages sought. 7

In this case, the Complaint does not quantify the amount of damages requested. The Notice of Removal simply refers to the Civil Cover Sheet, which is insufficient to demonstrate that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. The Court then turns to the parties’ responses to the Order to Show Cause as purported amendments to the Complaint and Notice of Removal. Unfortunately, neither offer additional facts to establish the amount in controversy. The Defendant speculates that given the injuries described in the state court complaint, the damages could exceed $75,000, but such is not based upon any investigation of the facts or law.

Guided by the strong presumption against removal of civil actions to federal court based upon diversity jurisdiction, and it appearing that the Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this action, the Court concludes that the action must be remanded to the State Court. See 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c).

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the Clerk of Court is directed to REMAND this action to the Jefferson County District Court.

1 . § 13-21-115, C.R.S.

2 . See, e.g., Nichols & Comito, LLC v. Simplexgrinnell LP, 2005 WL 1799301 (D.Colo. July 27, 2005) (unpublished); Henderson v. Target Stores, 431 F.Supp.2d 1143 (D.Colo.2006); Janice W. McGrew Living Revocable Trust v. Anadarko Land Corp., 2006 WL 2038168 (D.Colo. Jul.19, 2006) (unpublished); Shylayeva-Kuchar v. Liberty Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 2006 WL 2942939 (D.Colo. Oct. 13, 2006) (slip op.); Wells v. Am. Family Ins. Group, 2006 WL 561554 (D.Colo. Mar.3, 2006) (unpublished); cf. Lucio v. Cuevas, 2007 WL 1707319 (D.Colo. Jun.12, 2007) (slip op.); Bishelli v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 2007 WL 1455852 (D.Colo., May 15, 2007) (slip op.).

3 . Pursuant to both Fed.R.Civ.P. 10(c) and C.R.C.P. 10(c), "an exhibit to a pleading” is considered to be part of that pleading "for all purposes.” Thus, exhibits which are attached to a complaint or notice of removal should be treated as allegations for purposes of determining the amount in controversy. Cf. Hall v. Bellmon, 935 F.2d 1106, 1112 (10th Cir.1991).

4 . However, where the measure of damages would include interest and costs incurred in prior litigation (i.e., where a plaintiff asserts a claim for indemnification), such interest and costs can be included in computing the jurisdictional amount.

5 . In Colorado, all civil actions are presumptively subject to a "simplified procedure” which offers a speedier and less-expensive mechanism for determination of disputes. See C.R.C.P. 16.1(a)(1) & (2). Damages are capped at $100,000. C.R.C.P. 16.1(c). Tobe excluded from this simplified procedure, a party must timely and properly elect exclusion. C.R.C.P. 16.1(a)(2).

6 . The certification requirements of both C.R.C.P. 11 and Fed.R.Civ.P. 11 also apply to pro se litigants.

7 . In addition, while not the case here, where there are multiple plaintiffs or defendants, it is not possible to determine whether the aggregated amount of "more than” $100,000 on the Civil Cover Sheet would be impermissibly aggregated for purposes of 28 U.S.C. § 1332. Cf. Lovell, 466 F.3d at 897.