Greer v. United States

333 F. Supp. 3d 631
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. Louisiana
DecidedAugust 8, 2018
DocketCIVIL ACTION NO. 17-0792
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 333 F. Supp. 3d 631 (Greer v. United States) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. Louisiana primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Greer v. United States, 333 F. Supp. 3d 631 (W.D. La. 2018).

Opinion

S. MAURICE HICKS, JR., CHIEF JUDGE

Before the Court is the United States of America's ("United States") "Motion to Dismiss" (Record Document 9) Plaintiffs Patricia and Charles Greer's (collectively the "Plaintiffs") Complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1). Plaintiffs oppose the motion. See Record Document 15. For the reasons contained herein, the United States' "Motion to Dismiss" is DENIED.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In the Complaint Patricia Greer ("Mrs. Greer") alleges that on February 27, 2016, while visiting the Tom Merrill Recreation Area pavilion, which is located in the Bayou Bodcau Dam and Reservoir operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE"), she tripped and fell over an exposed metal anchor used to secure the picnic tables to the concrete slab of the pavilion. See Record Document 1 at 2. She alleges USACE's employees failed to secure one of the tables and "moved it such that the anchor was exposed." Id. Mrs. Greer's son had paid USACE for exclusive use of the pavilion to host Mrs. Greer's grandson's birthday. See id. She asserts that as a result of the fall, she incurred injuries including fractures in both arms. See id. Additionally, Charles Greer ("Mr. Greer"), claims that he suffered a loss of consortium as a result of the injuries sustained by his wife, Mrs. Greer. See id. at 4.

After Plaintiffs exhausted administrative remedies under the FTCA, this action was instituted. See id. Plaintiffs allege the United States and its agents/employees acted negligently by: (1) failing to adequately warn patrons and visitors, by sign or other means of the dangers associated with the exposed anchor; (2) failing to provide supervision when patrons and visitors were using the pavilion area; (3) failing to keep the Tom Merrill Recreation Area in a safe condition; (4) failing to routinely inspect the Tom Merrill Recreation Area to ensure the safety of the visitors; (5) willfully exposing the anchor; (6) failing to follow the policy of supervising the area while in use; (7) improperly training, supervising, hiring, and retaining its employees; and (8) failing to train and reinforce safety standards with its employees. See id. at 3.

*635On November 13, 2017, the United States moved to dismiss Plaintiffs' claims, arguing it had not waived sovereign immunity. See Record Document 9-1. Specifically, the United States argues the discretionary function exception to the Federal Torts Claim Act ("FTCA"), 28 U.S.C. § 2680(a), precludes waiver of sovereign immunity, and, alternatively, there is no subject matter jurisdiction on the basis of the Louisiana Recreational Use Statutes (the "recreational statutes"), La. R.S. §§ 9:2791 and 2795. See id. at 4-16. Plaintiffs opposed the motion on December 11, 2017, arguing that both the discretionary function exception to the FTCA and the recreational statutes do not apply in the instant matter. See Record Document 15 at 7-11. In the event the recreational statutes do apply, Plaintiffs assert Mrs. Greer's claims fall within the provided exceptions. See id. at 12. The United States filed its reply brief on January 3, 2018. See Record Document 18. Thus, the motion is fully briefed and ripe for decision.

LAW AND ANALYSIS

I. Rule 12(b)(1) Standard

Rule 12(b)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides for dismissal on the basis of lack of subject matter jurisdiction. If a district court "lacks the statutory or constitutional power to adjudicate the case," dismissal of the case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction is proper. Home Builders Ass'n of Miss, Inc. v. City of Madison, 143 F.3d 1006, 1010 (5th Cir. 1998). A court may base its disposition of a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on (1) the complaint alone; (2) the complaint supplemented by undisputed facts; or (3) the complaint supplemented by undisputed facts plus the court's resolution of disputed facts. See Robinson v. TCI/US West Communications, Inc., 117 F.3d 900, 904 (5th Cir. 1997), citing Williamson v. Tucker, 645 F.2d 404, 413 (5th Cir. 1981). Thus, when presented with a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(1), the court may consider evidence presented beyond the pleadings including affidavits and exhibits submitted by the parties. See Moran v. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 27 F.3d 169, 172 (5th Cir. 1994).

The district court's consideration of matters outside the pleadings when subject matter jurisdiction is challenged does not convert a motion to dismiss into one for summary judgment. See Harris v. P.A.M. Transport, 339 F.3d 635, 637 n.4 (8th Cir. 2003). The burden of proof applicable to Rule 12(b)(1) analysis is on the party asserting jurisdiction. Thus, Plaintiffs bear the burden of proof that this Court has subject matter jurisdiction over his claims. See In re FEMA Trailer Formaldehyde Prods. Liab. Litig., 646 F.3d 185, 189 (5th Cir. 2011).

II. Analysis

A.

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Bluebook (online)
333 F. Supp. 3d 631, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/greer-v-united-states-lawd-2018.