HUGH LAWSON, Senior District Judge.
On August 1, 2018, Plaintiff Cassandra Sherman initiated this action in the Valdosta Division of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia against Defendant alleging wrongful denial of disability benefits under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001-1461. Because federal courts have only limited jurisdiction, part of the Court's initial review process requires it to determine whether a proper jurisdictional basis exists in each case. When a plaintiff files a claim in federal court it is generally the plaintiff's burden to allege the specific facts necessary to establish jurisdiction.
ERISA's enforcement scheme contains a special venue provision. 29 U.S.C. § 1132(e)(2). Under it, where a plaintiff seeks to assert a claim authorized by ERISA, a federal court action "may be brought in the district where the plan is administered, where the breach took place, or where a defendant resides or may be found." 29 U.S.C. § 1132(e)(2). The Eleventh Circuit has characterized this section as a "liberal venue provision" that "can provide broad access to the federal courts."
A review of the complaint shows that Plaintiff has not provided sufficient information to determine if venue in this Court is proper under either of ERISA's three venue options. Plaintiff states that "jurisdiction and venue is proper pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 1132," but does not include any specific information to show that venue is proper in the Middle District of Georgia. (Doc. 1, ¶ 2). Plaintiff generally alleges that she "is a citizen of the United States and of the State of Georgia," but does not state where she resides within the state of Georgia which, as explained above, is necessary for determining where the breach took place. (Doc. 1, ¶ 3). Plaintiff states only that Defendant "is a foreign corporation doing business for profit in Georgia," and that Defendant can be served through its agent in Lawrenceville, Georgia. (Doc. 1, ¶¶ 4-5). However, Lawrenceville is located in the Northern District of Georgia. Plaintiff's Complaint provides no further allegations that demonstrate this action is properly brought in the Valdosta Division of the Middle District of Georgia. Nevertheless, the Court concludes that Plaintiff should be allowed to amend her complaint to correct the deficiencies noted. Accordingly, Plaintiff shall have up to and through August 14, 2018 to file an amended complaint that properly alleges why venue in this Court is proper.