Goodwin v. State Farm General Insurance Company

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DUCHUN LAFRE GOODWIN, Case No. 1:23-cv-00232-SAB

Plaintiff, SCREENING ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF LEAVE TO FILE A FIRST v. AMENDED COMPLAINT

STATE FARM GENERAL INSURANCE (ECF No. 1) COMPANY, et al., THIRTY (30) DAY DEADLINE Defendants.

Duchun Lafre Goodwin (“Plaintiff”), proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, filed this action on February 15, 2023. Plaintiff’s complaint is currently before the Court for screening. I. SCREENING REQUIREMENT Notwithstanding any filing fee, the court shall dismiss a case if at any time the Court determines that the complaint “(i) is frivolous or malicious; (ii) fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted; or (iii) seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2); see Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1129 (9th Cir. 2000) (section 1915(e) applies to all in forma pauperis complaints, not just those filed by prisoners); Calhoun v. Stahl, 254 F.3d 845 (9th Cir. 2001) (dismissal required of in forma pauperis proceedings which seek monetary relief from immune defendants); Cato v. United States, 70 F.3d 1103, 1106 (9th Cir. 1995) (district court has discretion to dismiss in forma pauperis complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)); Barren v. Harrington, 152 F.3d 1193 (9th Cir. 1998) (affirming sua sponte dismissal for failure to state a claim). The Court exercises its discretion to screen the plaintiff’s complaint in this action to determine if it “(i) is frivolous or malicious; (ii) fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted; or (iii) seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). In determining whether a complaint fails to state a claim, the Court uses the same pleading standard used under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(a). A complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief . . .” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Detailed factual allegations are not required, but “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citing Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). In reviewing the pro se complaint, the Court is to liberally construe the pleadings and accept as true all factual allegations contained in the complaint. Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007). Although a court must accept as true all factual allegations contained in a complaint, a court need not accept a plaintiff’s legal conclusions as true. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678. “[A] complaint [that] pleads facts that are ‘merely consistent with’ a defendant’s liability . . . ‘stops short of the line between possibility and plausibility of entitlement to relief.’ ” Id. (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 557). Therefore, the complaint must contain sufficient factual content for the court to draw the reasonable conclusion that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678. II. The Court accepts Plaintiff’s allegations in the complaint as true only for the purpose of the sua sponte screening requirement under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Plaintiff appears to name the following Defendants: (1) State Farm General Insurance identified as a State Farm agent; (4) Jeannie Erickson, identified as a Claims Specialist; and (5) Leah Carrol, identified as a Claims Manager. (Compl. 1-5,1 ECF No. 1.) Under basis of jurisdiction, Plaintiff did not check either of the boxes which allow for the Plaintiff to choose either diversity jurisdiction, or federal question jurisdiction. (Compl. 3.) When asked to list the basis for federal question jurisdiction, Plaintiff states: “Sections 102 and 103 of the Civil Rights Act of 1991.” (Compl. 4.) Plaintiff identifies Defendant State Farm General Insurance Company as a citizen of California, but does not list any other Defendants’ citizenship. (Compl. 4-5.) Under statement of claim, Plaintiff states: “unfair discrimination intentionally,” “[d]enying me of the rights to get stat[e]ments in writing from the phone conversations I had in the month of May 2022.” (Compl. 5.) Under relief, Plaintiff avers to a total loss that was unnecessary debt that should not have been; stress of pain from suffering a breach of contract; and consumer safety neglect. (Compl. 6.) For the reasons discussed below, Plaintiff has failed to state a cognizable claim. Plaintiff shall be provided the opportunity to file an amended complaint to attempt to correct the deficiencies at issue. A. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8 Pursuant to Rule 8(a), a complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief[.]” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). “Such a statement must simply give the defendant fair notice of what the plaintiff’s claim is and the grounds upon which it rests.” Swierkiewicz v. Sorema N.A., 534 U.S. 506, 512 (2002) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Detailed factual allegations are not required, but “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice.” 1 All references to pagination of specific documents pertain to those as indicated on the upper right corners via the Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (citation omitted). This is because, while factual allegations are accepted as true, legal conclusions are not. Id.; see also Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556-57; Moss v. U.S. Secret Serv., 572 F.3d 962, 969 (9th Cir. 2009). Therefore, Plaintiff must set forth “sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’ ” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570). “A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (citing Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556). Plaintiff’s allegations are vague and conclusory statements alleging some form of discrimination, a potential breach of contract, and a denial of some form of written statement pertaining to phone conversations Plaintiff had. As currently pled, Plaintiff’s complaint does not contain enough factual details to permit the Court to draw the reasonable inference that any named Defendants are liable for any misconduct alleged. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678. Plaintiff does not state any specific actions that any named Defendants took relating to the alleged discrimination or other misconduct. Plaintiff does not mention any of the individual Defendants again after naming them as Defendants. For these reasons, Plaintiff’s complaint does not comply with the requirements of Rule 8(a)(2). The Court will grant Plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint to allow Plaintiff to provide additional and specific factual details to the Court. B. Diversity and Federal Question Jurisdiction Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction and their power to adjudicate is limited to that granted by Congress. U.S. v. Sumner, 226 F.3d 1005, 1009 (9th Cir. 2000). Federal courts are presumptively without jurisdiction over civil actions, and the burden to establish the contrary rests upon the party asserting jurisdiction. Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins. Co., 511 U.S. 375, 377 (1994). Generally, there are two bases for subject matter jurisdiction: federal question jurisdiction and diversity jurisdiction. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1332. Plaintiff did not check the boxes indicating whether Plaintiff is attempting to plead federal question jurisdiction, diversity District courts have original jurisdiction of all civil actions between citizens of different States in which “the matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs.” 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a). This requires complete diversity of citizenship and the presence “of a single plaintiff from the same State as a single defendant deprives the district court of original diversity jurisdiction over the entire action.” Abrego Abrego v. The Dow Chemical Co., 443 F.3d 676, 679 (9th Cir. 2006) (citations omitted). Here, Plaintiff alleges that they are a citizen of California. (Compl. 4.) Plaintiff indicates that Defendant State Farm General Insurance Company is incorporated in and has its principal place of business in California. (Compl. 5.) This is the only Defendant’s citizenship listed in the area to do so. Plaintiff also indicates that the address for Defendant Maria Sucilla is in California. (Compl. 2.) Plaintiff also has not listed any monetary amount under amount in controversy. (Compl. 5.) Plaintiff has not sufficiently pled diversity jurisdiction. Jurisdiction in this action must therefore be based on a federal question. Pursuant to 28 U.S. C. § 1331, federal courts have original jurisdiction over “all civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States. “A case ‘arises under’ federal law either where federal law creates the cause of action or where the vindication of a right under state law necessarily turns on some construction of federal law.” Republican Party of Guam v. Gutierrez, 277 F.3d 1086, 1088 (9th Cir. 2002) (internal punctuation omitted) (quoting Franchise Tax Bd. v. Construction Laborers Vacation Trust, 463 U.S. 1, 8–9 (1983) (citations omitted)). “[T]he presence or absence of federal-question jurisdiction is governed by the ‘well-pleaded complaint rule,’ which provides that federal jurisdiction exists only when a federal question is presented on the face of the plaintiff's properly pleaded complaint.” Republican Party of Guam, 277 F.3d at 1089 (citations omitted). As to federal question jurisdiction, Plaintiff has not sufficiently alleged facts against the Defendants that would state a federal claim. C. Plaintiff has not Stated a Claim to Establish Federal Question Jurisdiction It is unclear the law that Plaintiff is trying to allege was violated, and unclear what the writes: “unfair discrimination intentionally,” “[d]enying me of the rights to get stat[e]ments in writing from the phone conversations I had in the month of May 2022.” (Compl. 5.) Plaintiff only avers to “Sections 102 and 103 of the Civil Rights Act of 1991.” (Compl. 4.) “Congress enacted the Civil Rights Act of 1991 (1991 Act), Pub. L. No. 102-166, 105 Stat. 1071, in order to restore civil rights limited by then-recent Supreme Court decisions and to ‘strengthen existing protections and remedies available under federal civil rights laws to provide more effective deterrence and adequate compensation for victims of discrimination.” Lambert v. Tesla, Inc., 923 F.3d 1246, 1249 (9th Cir. 2019) (citations and quotation marks omitted); see also Civil Rights Act Of 1991, PL 102–166, November 21, 1991, 105 Stat 1071 (“An Act to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to strengthen and improve Federal civil rights laws, to provide for damages in cases of intentional employment discrimination, to clarify provisions regarding disparate impact actions, and for other purposes.”); 42 U.S.C. § 1981a (“Damages in cases of intentional discrimination in employment.”). Plaintiff’s complaint contains insufficient facts pertaining to any of the named Defendants, and does not describe what any Defendants have done that would amount to a violation of Plaintiff’s federal rights. See Kolstad v. Am. Dental Ass'n, 527 U.S. 526, 533–34, 119 S. Ct. 2118, 2123–24, 144 L. Ed. 2d 494 (1999) (“Prior to 1991, only equitable relief, primarily backpay, was available to prevailing Title VII plaintiffs; the statute provided no authority for an award of punitive or compensatory damages . . . [w]ith the passage of the 1991 Act, Congress provided for additional remedies, including punitive damages, for certain classes of Title VII and ADA violations.”); Fonseca v. Sysco Food Services of Arizona, Inc., 374 F.3d 840, 847 (9th Cir. 2004) (To establish a prima facie case for Title VII discrimination, plaintiff must show the following: (1) they are a member of a protected class; (2) they were qualified for the position; (3) they suffered an adverse employment action; and (4) similarly situated individuals outside her protected class were treated more favorably.); Samper v. Providence St. Vincent Med. Ctr., 675 F.3d 1233, 1237 (9th Cir. 2012) (“To establish a prima facie case for failure to accommodate under the ADA, Samper must show that (1) [s]he is disabled within the the job with reasonable accommodation; and (3) [s]he suffered an adverse employment action because of [her] disability.”) (quotation marks and citations omitted); Campos v. Town of Pahrump, 274 F. Supp. 3d 1106, 1115–16 (D. Nev. 2017) (“[T]o establish a prima facie case of retaliation under the ADA, an employee must show that: (1) he or she engaged in a protected activity; (2) suffered an adverse employment action; and (3) there was a causal link between the two.”) (citations and quotation marks omitted). Accordingly, the Court finds Plaintiff’s complaint does not state a cognizable claim for violation of Plaintiff’s federal rights. The Court shall grant Plaintiff to file an amended complaint. IV. Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff’s complaint fails to state a cognizable claim for relief. The Court will grant Plaintiff an opportunity to amend the complaint to cure the above-identified deficiencies to the extent Plaintiff is able to do so in good faith. Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1130 (9th Cir. 2000). Plaintiff’s amended complaint should be brief, Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a), but it must state what each named defendant did that led to the deprivation of Plaintiff’s constitutional rights, Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678-79. Although accepted as true, the “[f]actual allegations must be [sufficient] to raise a right to relief above the speculative level . . . .” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555 (citations omitted). Additionally, Plaintiff may not change the nature of this suit by adding new, unrelated claims in his first amended complaint. George v. Smith, 507 F.3d 605, 607 (7th Cir. 2007) (no “buckshot” complaints). Plaintiff is advised that an amended complaint supersedes the original complaint. Lacey v. Maricopa Cnty., 693 F.3d 896, 927. Therefore, Plaintiff’s first amended complaint must be “complete in itself without reference to the prior or superseded pleading.” Local Rule 220. Plaintiff’s first amended complaint must be filed within thirty (30) days, and is subject to the twenty-five (25) page limit set forth above. Based on the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 1. The Clerk of the Court shall send Plaintiff a civil rights complaint form; 2. Within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order, Plaintiff shall file a first amended complaint curing the deficiencies identified by the Court in this order; 3. The first amended complaint, including attachments, shall not exceed twenty-five (25) pages in length; and 4. If Plaintiff fails to file a first amended complaint in compliance with this order, the Court will recommend to the district judge that this action be dismissed, with prejudice, for failure to obey a court order, failure to prosecute, and for failure to state a claim. IT IS SO ORDERED. FA. ee Dated: _ April 10, 2023

Is UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE