Nunez v. IBP, Inc.

163 F.R.D. 356, 4 Am. Disabilities Cas. (BNA) 1591, 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13477, 1995 WL 550070
CourtDistrict Court, D. Kansas
DecidedJuly 13, 1995
DocketNo. 95-4031-SAC
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 163 F.R.D. 356 (Nunez v. IBP, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Kansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Nunez v. IBP, Inc., 163 F.R.D. 356, 4 Am. Disabilities Cas. (BNA) 1591, 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13477, 1995 WL 550070 (D. Kan. 1995).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

CROW, District Judge.

On February 16, 1995, Alejandra Nunez commenced this action against IBP, Inc. Nunez’ complaint appears to have attempted to assert claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq., and Title VII, as well as supplemental discrimination and retaliatory discharge claims. Simultaneous with its answer, IBP filed a motion to dismiss pursuant to Fed. R.Civ.P. 12(b). In its motion, IBP argues that Nunez’ complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. IBP also argues that the plaintiffs complaint should be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

In response to IBP’s motion, Nunez has filed a document titled “Notice of Dismissal without Prejudice” (Dk. 9). Nunez contends that dismissal without prejudice will cause no undue hardship to either party. No depositions have been scheduled. Nunez contends that it is in the best interests of justice to grant her request. Nunez also wishes to reserve the right to “proceed on this cause of action within six (6) months from the date of the dismissal as provided by the Kansas Statutes.”

IBP opposes Nunez’ request. IBP argues that Nunez’ request does not comply with Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(a)(2) and should be denied on that basis alone. IBP notes that the plaintiff does not have an automatic right to a dismissal without prejudice under Rule 41(a)(2) as it has filed responsive pleadings to the plaintiffs complaint. IBP requests the court to rule on its motion to dismiss and deny Nunez’ request to dismiss without prejudice. In the alternative, IBP contends that if the court grants Nunez’ request to dismiss without prejudice, the court should award it its litigation expenses. IBP concedes that there have been no costs associated with discovery, but argues that it should be reimbursed for the costs it has incurred in preparing its motion to dismiss and its objection to Nunez’ notice of dismissal without prejudice.

Nunez responds, arguing that in light of her pending worker’s compensation case with the defendant in another forum, dismissal without prejudice is appropriate in this case. According to the plaintiff, the disposition of her worker’s compensation case may have some bearing on her ADA claims. Nunez also notes that due to her notice of dismissal, the magistrate judge has cancelled the scheduling conference and the case has apparently been taken off the “discovery track”; voluntary disclosures under Fed.R.Civ.P. 26 have not been made. In what might be best characterized as a festival of cliches, Nunez goes on to suggest that her request for dismissal without prejudice is the best and most efficient means of disposing of this case. Nunez also contends that the imposition of costs and attorney’s fees is unwarranted.

Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(a)(2)

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(2) governs voluntary dismissals after the opposing party has filed an answer or motion for summary judgment.” Clark v. Tansy, 13 F.3d 1407, 1411 (10th Cir.1993). Rule 41(a)(2) “is designed ‘primarily to prevent voluntary dismissals which unfairly affect the other side, and to permit the imposition of curative conditions.’ ” Id. (quoting 9 C. Wright and A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure § 2364 at 165 (1971) (quoting Alamance Indus., Inc. v. Filene’s, 291 F.2d 142, 146 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 368 U.S. 831, 82 S.Ct. 53, 7 L.Ed.2d 33 (1961))). “Accordingly, courts generally allow dismissal without prejudice unless the defendant will suffer some plain legal prejudice.” Wimber by and through Wimber v. Dept. S.R.S., 156 F.R.D. 259, 261 (D.Kan.1994). “Dismissal under Rule 41(a)(2) is within the sound discretion of the court.” Clark, 13 F.3d at 1411.

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(2) permits a court to dismiss an action without prejudice ‘upon such terms and conditions as the court deems proper.’” American Nat. Bank and Trust Co. v. Bic Corp., 931 F.2d 1411, 1412 (10th Cir.1991). “Conditions are designed to alleviate any prejudice a defendant might otherwise suffer upon refiling of [359]*359an action.” Id. “The district court should impose only those conditions which actually will alleviate harm to the defendant.” Id.; see Clark, 13 F.3d at 1411 (“When considering a motion to dismiss without prejudice, ‘the important aspect is whether the opposing party will suffer prejudice in the light of the valid interests of the parties.’ ”) (quoting Barber v. General Electric Co., 648 F.2d 1272, 1275 (10th Cir.1981)).

“Neither the mere prospect of a second lawsuit nor a tactical advantage to the plaintiff amount to legal prejudice.” Wimber, 156 F.R.D. at 261. The factors to consider in assessing legal prejudice include: the defendants’ effort and funds expended towards preparing for trial; the plaintiffs undue delay or lack of diligence in prosecuting the action; the adequacy of the plaintiffs explanation for needing to dismiss; the plaintiffs diligence in moving to dismiss; the present stage of litigation; and duplicative expenses involved in a likely second suit. Id. (citations omitted); see American Nat. Bank and Trust Co., 931 F.2d at 1413 (“[I]t is not an abuse of discretion for the district court to dismiss an action without prejudice even where the plaintiffs only motive is to recommence the action in state court.”). To successfully oppose a plaintiffs request for voluntary dismissal, the defendant must establish that the dismissal would work harm “manifestly prejudicial” to it. Wimber, 156 F.R.D. at 261.

“Rule 41(a)(2) does not require that the plaintiffs request for dismissal take any specific form; it requires only that the court approve such a request for dismissal.” Morris v. City of Hobart, 39 F.3d 1105, 1109 (10th Cir.1994), cert. denied, -U.S. -, 115 S.Ct. 1960, 131 L.Ed.2d 852 (1995).

Analysis

Based upon its consideration of the plaintiffs complaint, the defendant’s motion to dismiss, the plaintiffs request pursuant to Rule 41(a)(2), and all of the arguments of the parties, the court denies the defendant’s motion to dismiss and grants the plaintiffs request to dismiss. The defendant has not demonstrated to the court’s satisfaction that it will suffer legal prejudice if the plaintiffs request to dismiss without prejudice is granted.

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163 F.R.D. 356, 4 Am. Disabilities Cas. (BNA) 1591, 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13477, 1995 WL 550070, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/nunez-v-ibp-inc-ksd-1995.