1 2 3 4
5 6 7 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 8 WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT SEATTLE 9 10 HEATHER TURNER, CASE NO. 2:25-cv-00714-LK 11 Plaintiff, ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO 12 v. REMAND AND DENYING REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY’S 13 PROGRESSIVE DIRECT INSURANCE FEES COMPANY, 14 Defendant. 15 16 This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiff Heather Turner’s Motion to Remand and 17 for Attorney Fees. Dkt. No. 11. For the reasons outlined below, the Court grants the motion to 18 remand but denies her request for attorney’s fees.1 19 I. BACKGROUND 20 This case arises from a motor vehicle accident that occurred on October 31, 2023. Dkt. No. 21 2-2 at 3. On that date, Turner was “lawfully operating [her] motor vehicle” when underinsured 22 23 1 Because the Court can decide the matter based on the parties’ filings, it denies Ms. Turner’s request for oral argument. 24 Dkt. No. 11 at 1. 1 driver Kelvin Santos-Maldonado “pulled out of the driveway in front of her and caused [a] 2 collision.” Id. at 3. Turner sustained various injuries as a result of the collision, for which she 3 received treatment from a range of providers. See id. at 4–6. 4 Following the accident, Turner submitted an underinsured motorist claim to her insurer,
5 Progressive Direct Insurance Company. Id. at 4. Progressive reviewed the medical treatments 6 included in Turner’s claim and determined that she was entitled to $17,424.00 beyond the $25,000 7 in bodily injury covered by Santos-Maldonado’s insurance. Id. at 3–4, 6. Turner filed a complaint 8 in Snohomish County Superior Court on March 18, 2025, disputing Progressive’s determination 9 of benefits. Id. at 1, 4–7. Turner complains that Progressive has “failed to tender the undisputed 10 amount” of benefits, failed to pay her policy limit of $50,000 despite being provided with 11 documentation showing that “Turner had damages that we [sic] in excess of her policy limits,” and 12 has “continued to claim that [Turner] was not entitled to UIM benefits.” Id. at 7. Based on these 13 allegations, Turner advances a single cause of action for breach of contract. Id. at 6–7. In her prayer 14 for relief, she seeks damages “in an amount to be proven at trial for the defendant’s breach of
15 contract and common law duties,” “treble damages,” and attorney’s fees and costs. Id. at 7–8. 16 Progressive removed this action to federal court on April 21, 2025. Dkt. No. 1. In its Notice 17 of Removal, Progressive states that: 18 Plaintiff claims that Progressive breached its insurance contract by failing to tender policy limits of $50,000 and in violation of the Washington Insurance Fair Conduct 19 Act (“IFCA”) and the Washington Consumer Protection Act. Pursuant to Washington statutory law, which Plaintiff claims entitles her to trebled damages, 20 this matter constitutes a controversy for damages in excess of $150,000.
21 Dkt. No. 2 at 2. Turner filed a timely motion to remand on May 5, 2025. Dkt. No. 11. 22 II. DISCUSSION 23 In her motion to remand, Turner argues that the Court lacks jurisdiction because 24 Progressive “fails to show that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.00.” Dkt. No. 11 at 1. 1 Specifically, “Defendants [sic] acknowledge that Plaintiff has not sought through a settlement 2 proposal or negotiations anything in excess of her policy limits of $50,000,” and that “Plaintiff has 3 not pled any claims relating to the Insurance Fair Conduct Act or the Consumer Protection Act 4 which potentially would give rise to the trebling of damages.” Id. at 2. In its response, Progressive
5 concedes that attorney’s fees and “[t]reble damages are not available for simple breach of contract 6 claims,” and that “treble damages serve no purpose in a simple contract dispute,” but argues that 7 “[w]hen an insured alleges bad faith conduct against an insurer and requests treble damages, the 8 logical and reasonable inference is that she seeks relief under IFCA.” Dkt. No. 13 at 6. The 9 declaration attached to Progressive’s response explains that 10 Progressive’s removal was based on its calculation that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000 when considering: (a) the $50,000 policy limits demand; (b) the 11 potential trebling of damages under IFCA as explicitly requested in the complaint; (c) the attorneys’ fees and costs requested in the complaint, which are mandatory 12 under IFCA and would likely be substantial in bad faith litigation; and (d) the potential for additional damages under common law bad faith theories. 13 Dkt. No. 14 at 4.2 As discussed below, Progressive’s reliance on causes of action that were not 14 pleaded in the complaint is unreasonable and without basis in the law. 15 A. Legal Standard 16 Removal of a civil action to federal district court is proper when the federal court would 17 have original jurisdiction over the action filed in state court. 28 U.S.C. § 1441(a). Federal 18 jurisdiction exists over all civil actions where the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000 and the 19 action is between citizens of different states. 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(1). Defendants bear the burden 20 of establishing that removal is proper, Moore-Thomas v. Alaska Airlines, Inc., 553 F.3d 1241, 1244 21 (9th Cir. 2009), and the removal statutes are strictly construed against removal jurisdiction, Hansen 22
23 2 Progressive appears to abandon its argument that the complaint advances a claim under the Consumer Protection Act. Dkt. No. 2 at 2. But even if it had not abandoned this argument, the result would be the same for the reasons laid 24 out below. 1 v. Grp. Health Coop., 902 F.3d 1051, 1056–57 (9th Cir. 2018). Furthermore, where, as here, “the 2 complaint does not specify the amount of damages sought, the removing defendant must prove by 3 a preponderance of the evidence that the amount in controversy requirement has been met.” Abrego 4 Abrego v. The Dow Chem. Co., 443 F.3d 676, 683 (9th Cir. 2006).
5 A district court considers the complaint, the allegations in the removal petition, and 6 “summary-judgment-type evidence relevant to the amount in controversy at the time of removal.” 7 Fritsch v. Swift Transp. Co. of Ariz., LLC, 899 F.3d 785, 793 (9th Cir. 2018) (citation modified). 8 The notice of removal, however, need not “prove” subject matter jurisdiction: “the fact that the 9 party removing a case to a federal district court has the burden of proving that the district court has 10 jurisdiction does not mean that the notice of removal must in and of itself meet this burden.” Acad. 11 of Country Music v. Cont’l Cas. Co., 991 F.3d 1059, 1068–69 (9th Cir. 2021). Only when the 12 plaintiff contests—or the district court questions—a defendant’s allegations must the defendant 13 produce evidence establishing the amount in controversy. Dart Cherokee Basin Operating Co., 14 574 U.S. 81, 89 (2017); see 28 U.S.C. § 1446(c)(2)(B). If at any time a district court determines
15 that “less than a preponderance of the evidence supports the right of removal,” it must remand the 16 action to state court. Hansen, 902 F.3d at 1057; see also Matheson v. Progressive Specialty Ins.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 8 WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT SEATTLE 9 10 HEATHER TURNER, CASE NO. 2:25-cv-00714-LK 11 Plaintiff, ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO 12 v. REMAND AND DENYING REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY’S 13 PROGRESSIVE DIRECT INSURANCE FEES COMPANY, 14 Defendant. 15 16 This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiff Heather Turner’s Motion to Remand and 17 for Attorney Fees. Dkt. No. 11. For the reasons outlined below, the Court grants the motion to 18 remand but denies her request for attorney’s fees.1 19 I. BACKGROUND 20 This case arises from a motor vehicle accident that occurred on October 31, 2023. Dkt. No. 21 2-2 at 3. On that date, Turner was “lawfully operating [her] motor vehicle” when underinsured 22 23 1 Because the Court can decide the matter based on the parties’ filings, it denies Ms. Turner’s request for oral argument. 24 Dkt. No. 11 at 1. 1 driver Kelvin Santos-Maldonado “pulled out of the driveway in front of her and caused [a] 2 collision.” Id. at 3. Turner sustained various injuries as a result of the collision, for which she 3 received treatment from a range of providers. See id. at 4–6. 4 Following the accident, Turner submitted an underinsured motorist claim to her insurer,
5 Progressive Direct Insurance Company. Id. at 4. Progressive reviewed the medical treatments 6 included in Turner’s claim and determined that she was entitled to $17,424.00 beyond the $25,000 7 in bodily injury covered by Santos-Maldonado’s insurance. Id. at 3–4, 6. Turner filed a complaint 8 in Snohomish County Superior Court on March 18, 2025, disputing Progressive’s determination 9 of benefits. Id. at 1, 4–7. Turner complains that Progressive has “failed to tender the undisputed 10 amount” of benefits, failed to pay her policy limit of $50,000 despite being provided with 11 documentation showing that “Turner had damages that we [sic] in excess of her policy limits,” and 12 has “continued to claim that [Turner] was not entitled to UIM benefits.” Id. at 7. Based on these 13 allegations, Turner advances a single cause of action for breach of contract. Id. at 6–7. In her prayer 14 for relief, she seeks damages “in an amount to be proven at trial for the defendant’s breach of
15 contract and common law duties,” “treble damages,” and attorney’s fees and costs. Id. at 7–8. 16 Progressive removed this action to federal court on April 21, 2025. Dkt. No. 1. In its Notice 17 of Removal, Progressive states that: 18 Plaintiff claims that Progressive breached its insurance contract by failing to tender policy limits of $50,000 and in violation of the Washington Insurance Fair Conduct 19 Act (“IFCA”) and the Washington Consumer Protection Act. Pursuant to Washington statutory law, which Plaintiff claims entitles her to trebled damages, 20 this matter constitutes a controversy for damages in excess of $150,000.
21 Dkt. No. 2 at 2. Turner filed a timely motion to remand on May 5, 2025. Dkt. No. 11. 22 II. DISCUSSION 23 In her motion to remand, Turner argues that the Court lacks jurisdiction because 24 Progressive “fails to show that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.00.” Dkt. No. 11 at 1. 1 Specifically, “Defendants [sic] acknowledge that Plaintiff has not sought through a settlement 2 proposal or negotiations anything in excess of her policy limits of $50,000,” and that “Plaintiff has 3 not pled any claims relating to the Insurance Fair Conduct Act or the Consumer Protection Act 4 which potentially would give rise to the trebling of damages.” Id. at 2. In its response, Progressive
5 concedes that attorney’s fees and “[t]reble damages are not available for simple breach of contract 6 claims,” and that “treble damages serve no purpose in a simple contract dispute,” but argues that 7 “[w]hen an insured alleges bad faith conduct against an insurer and requests treble damages, the 8 logical and reasonable inference is that she seeks relief under IFCA.” Dkt. No. 13 at 6. The 9 declaration attached to Progressive’s response explains that 10 Progressive’s removal was based on its calculation that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000 when considering: (a) the $50,000 policy limits demand; (b) the 11 potential trebling of damages under IFCA as explicitly requested in the complaint; (c) the attorneys’ fees and costs requested in the complaint, which are mandatory 12 under IFCA and would likely be substantial in bad faith litigation; and (d) the potential for additional damages under common law bad faith theories. 13 Dkt. No. 14 at 4.2 As discussed below, Progressive’s reliance on causes of action that were not 14 pleaded in the complaint is unreasonable and without basis in the law. 15 A. Legal Standard 16 Removal of a civil action to federal district court is proper when the federal court would 17 have original jurisdiction over the action filed in state court. 28 U.S.C. § 1441(a). Federal 18 jurisdiction exists over all civil actions where the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000 and the 19 action is between citizens of different states. 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(1). Defendants bear the burden 20 of establishing that removal is proper, Moore-Thomas v. Alaska Airlines, Inc., 553 F.3d 1241, 1244 21 (9th Cir. 2009), and the removal statutes are strictly construed against removal jurisdiction, Hansen 22
23 2 Progressive appears to abandon its argument that the complaint advances a claim under the Consumer Protection Act. Dkt. No. 2 at 2. But even if it had not abandoned this argument, the result would be the same for the reasons laid 24 out below. 1 v. Grp. Health Coop., 902 F.3d 1051, 1056–57 (9th Cir. 2018). Furthermore, where, as here, “the 2 complaint does not specify the amount of damages sought, the removing defendant must prove by 3 a preponderance of the evidence that the amount in controversy requirement has been met.” Abrego 4 Abrego v. The Dow Chem. Co., 443 F.3d 676, 683 (9th Cir. 2006).
5 A district court considers the complaint, the allegations in the removal petition, and 6 “summary-judgment-type evidence relevant to the amount in controversy at the time of removal.” 7 Fritsch v. Swift Transp. Co. of Ariz., LLC, 899 F.3d 785, 793 (9th Cir. 2018) (citation modified). 8 The notice of removal, however, need not “prove” subject matter jurisdiction: “the fact that the 9 party removing a case to a federal district court has the burden of proving that the district court has 10 jurisdiction does not mean that the notice of removal must in and of itself meet this burden.” Acad. 11 of Country Music v. Cont’l Cas. Co., 991 F.3d 1059, 1068–69 (9th Cir. 2021). Only when the 12 plaintiff contests—or the district court questions—a defendant’s allegations must the defendant 13 produce evidence establishing the amount in controversy. Dart Cherokee Basin Operating Co., 14 574 U.S. 81, 89 (2017); see 28 U.S.C. § 1446(c)(2)(B). If at any time a district court determines
15 that “less than a preponderance of the evidence supports the right of removal,” it must remand the 16 action to state court. Hansen, 902 F.3d at 1057; see also Matheson v. Progressive Specialty Ins. 17 Co., 319 F.3d 1089, 1090 (9th Cir. 2003) (explaining that doubts as to removability are resolved 18 in favor of remand). 19 B. Remand is Warranted 20 Here, Progressive has failed to carry its burden of proof concerning the amount in 21 controversy. While Progressive argues that Turner’s request for treble damages indicates that she 22 is stating a claim under IFCA, Dkt. No. 13 at 1–2, an errant reference to treble damages in a prayer 23 for relief does not establish jurisdiction by a preponderance of the evidence. As discussed above,
24 Turner’s sole cause of action is for breach of contract. Dkt. No. 2-2 at 6. The complaint does not 1 mention IFCA or any other basis for treble damages. Indeed, it is undisputed that Turner did not 2 comply with IFCA’s 20-day notice requirement. Dkt. No. 10 at 6; Dkt. No. 11 at 2. Considering 3 that Turner is not pro se, Progressive’s liberal interpretation of the complaint to include claims that 4 are wholly omitted therein has no basis in law. See Awudza v. Barr, 824 F. App'x 483, 485 (9th
5 Cir. 2020) (a represented party is not entitled to the “liberal construction afforded to pro se 6 litigants”). Instead, under the principle of party presentation, it is “presume[d] that parties 7 represented by competent counsel know what is best for them, and are responsible for advancing 8 the facts and argument entitling them to relief.” Todd R. v. Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of 9 Alaska, 825 F. App'x 440, 442 (9th Cir. 2020) (quotation marks and citation omitted)). For this 10 reason, Turner’s decision to plead only breach of contract after mentioning a potential IFCA claim 11 in prior settlement discussions further underscores that the omission was intentional. See Dkt. No. 12 14 at 3. 13 These facts make plain that the complaint’s reference to treble damages was mistaken. 14 Thus, Progressive’s reliance on IFCA and other unstated causes of action does not suffice to
15 establish that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. 16 C. An Award of Attorney’s Fees is Not Warranted 17 Turner requests attorney’s fees “for having to respond to Defendant’s removal action where 18 it is clear that there are absolutely no grounds for said removal[.]” Dkt. No. 11 at 5. 19 The removal statute provides that “[a]n order remanding the case may require payment of 20 just costs and any actual expenses, including attorney fees, incurred as a result of the removal.” 28 21 U.S.C. § 1447(c). “Absent unusual circumstances, a court may award costs and attorney’s fees 22 under § 1447(c) only where the removing party lacked an objectively reasonable basis for seeking 23 removal.” Grancare, LLC v. Thrower by & through Mills, 889 F.3d 543, 552 (9th Cir. 2018). But
24 “removal is not objectively unreasonable solely because the removing party’s arguments lack 1 merit, or else attorney’s fees would always be awarded whenever remand is granted.” Lussier v. 2 Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., 518 F.3d 1062, 1065 (9th Cir. 2008). 3 Here, both parties are to blame for the waste of time and resources caused by Progressive’s 4 removal. Progressive could have avoided such waste by simply asking Turner whether the prayer
5 for treble damages was mistaken before it decided to remove the case. But the case would not have 6 been removed in the first instance if it were not for Turner’s sloppy drafting. The Court declines 7 to reward such carelessness by awarding her attorney’s fees. 8 III. CONCLUSION 9 For the reasons set forth above, the Court GRANTS Turner’s motion to remand and 10 DENIES her request for attorney’s fees. Dkt. No. 11. The Court further ORDERS that 11 1. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c), this case is REMANDED to the Superior Court for 12 Snohomish County in the State of Washington; 13 2. The Clerk of the Court shall mail a certified copy of this Order to the Clerk of the Court 14 for the Superior Court for Snohomish County;
15 3. The Clerk of the Court shall also transmit the record herein to the Clerk of the Court 16 for the Superior Court for Snohomish County; and 17 4. The Clerk of the Court shall CLOSE this case. 18 Dated this 7th day of July, 2025. 19 A 20 Lauren King United States District Judge 21 22 23 24