Williams v. Unity Health Care, Inc.

• Court: District Court, District of Columbia
• Decided: March 24, 2009
• Docket: Civil Action No. 2009-0551
• Status: Published

Opinion

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F|LED

MAR 2 4 2009

NANCY MAVER WH|TT|NGTON, CLERK U.S. D|STR|CT COURT

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

JOYCE MARIE WILLIAMS, Plaintiff, v. Civil Action No. 0 9 (

UNITY HEALTH CARE, INC., et al.,

Defendants.

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MEMORANDUM OPINION

This matter comes before the Court upon review of plaintiffs application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis and pro se complaint. The application will be granted but the complaint will be dismissed.

It appears that plaintiff brings a malpractice action arising from dental work performed by defendants between April and J u1y 2008. She demands damages of $5,000.

Federal district courts have jurisdiction in civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws or treaties of the United States. See 28 U.S.C. § l33l. ln additi0n, federal district courts have jurisdiction over civil actions where the matter in controversy exceeds $75,000, and the suit is between citizens of different states. See 28 U.S.C. § l332(a). The facts alleged do not appear to raise a federal question. Because all parties appear to reside or conduct business in the District of Columbia and because the demand for damages does not meet the $75,000 threshold, plaintiff does not establish jurisdiction based on diversity of citizenship.i For these reasons, the complaint will be dismissed without prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion will be issued separately on this

same date.

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