DONALD C. NUGENT, District Judge.
This matter comes before the Court on a Motion to Intervene filed by Eaton Corporation ("Eaton"), ECF #18, and a Motion to Dismiss filed by Defendant, Continental Insurance Company ("Continental"), ECF #16. Plaintiff, Hyster-Yale Group ("Hyster-Yale"), filed a Consolidated Opposition to the Motion to Intervene and Motion to Dismiss. (ECF #30). Reply Memorandum in Support were filed by Eaton (ECF #31) and Continental (ECF #32). Therefore, the issues are fully briefed and ripe for review.
For the reasons set forth herein, Eaton's Motion to Intervene is GRANTED and Continental's Motion to Dismiss is GRANTED.
On November 7, 2017, Hyster-Yale filed a civil action against Continental for breach of contract, declaratory judgment and bad faith as it relates to an insurance coverage dispute for asbestos-related claims against Hyster-Yale. (ECF #1). Hyster-Yale is the successor by merger to Yale Materials Handling Corporation, which was the successor to certain assets and liabilities of Eaton's Industrial Truck Division pursuant to an asset-purchase agreement ("Agreement")
Eaton seeks to intervene as a matter of right as a party to this litigation, claiming that the request is timely, it has a substantial interest in the case, its ability to protect its interests would be impaired without intervention, and that there is inadequate representation of its interests by the parties already before the court. (See ECF #18, pp. 8-11; Michigan State AFL-CIO v. Miller, 103 F.3d 1240, 1245 (6
This Court agrees that Eaton is entitled to intervene as a matter of right as a party in this matter. First, the Motion to Intervene is timely, as it was filed within the initial stage of the lawsuit, and before discovery began. See Michigan State AFL-CIO, 103 F.3d at 240. Furthermore, Eaton has a substantial legal interest regarding Hyster-Yale's claim for insurance coverage relating to the insurance policies issued. Id. Eaton also has a substantial legal interest as the indemnitor for Continental relating to other claims of coverage. Finally, neither of the current parties are able to adequately represent or protect Eaton's interests in this litigation, as they have different, and sometimes adverse, interests from that of Eaton. See Purnell v. City of Akron, 925 F.2d 941, 950 (6
Allowing Eaton to intervene as a party herein divests this Court of subject matter jurisdiction on the basis of diversity of citizenship. See 28 U.S.C. § 1332(c)(1). Therefore, this Court sua sponte dismisses this matter and it will proceed as filed, Eaton Corporation, et al., v. Hyster-Yale Group, Inc., pending in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CV-18-891258 before the Honorable Nancy A. Fuerst.
While this ruling renders Continental's Motion to Dismiss moot, a brief analysis of Continental's arguments further supports the dismissal. Continental argues that Hyster-Yale "improperly sued Continental . . . to resolve disputes it has with another company, Eaton Corporation," and that the allegations in the Complaint "concern obligations that are actually Eaton's obligations," as set forth within the Agreement. (ECF #16-1). Continental further provides that it was not a party to either document within that Agreement. (See Id.).
For the reasons set forth herein, Eaton's Motion to Intervene (ECF #18) is GRANTED and Continental's Motion to Dismiss (ECF #16) is GRANTED.
Therefore, this matter is DISMISSED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.