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  5. PETTY v. SAFECO INSURANCE COMPANY OF ILLINOIS, 13-2207. (2013)

PETTY v. SAFECO INSURANCE COMPANY OF ILLINOIS, 13-2207. (2013)

Court: District Court, W.D. Louisiana Number: infdco20130828a92 Visitors: 5
Filed: Aug. 27, 2013
Latest Update: Aug. 27, 2013
Summary: MEMORANDUM RULING KAREN L. HAYES, Magistrate Judge. On July 3, 2013, Defendant, Safeco Insurance Company of Illinois, removed this matter to federal court on the basis of diversity jurisdiction, 28 U.S.C. 1332. (Notice of Removal). By separate order entered this date, the undersigned granted remaining Plaintiff Louise Barthol's unopposed motion for leave to amend her complaint to join former Plaintiff, George Petty, as a defendant. (Aug. 27, 2013, Order [doc. #12]). 1 Both George Petty and
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MEMORANDUM RULING

KAREN L. HAYES, Magistrate Judge.

On July 3, 2013, Defendant, Safeco Insurance Company of Illinois, removed this matter to federal court on the basis of diversity jurisdiction, 28 U.S.C. § 1332. (Notice of Removal). By separate order entered this date, the undersigned granted remaining Plaintiff Louise Barthol's unopposed motion for leave to amend her complaint to join former Plaintiff, George Petty, as a defendant. (Aug. 27, 2013, Order [doc. #12]).1 Both George Petty and Louise Barthol are domiciliaries and citizens of Louisiana. See Petition; Notice of Removal; Suppl. & Amend. Compl.

The law is clear that when a plaintiff seeks to join an additional defendant whose joinder would destroy subject matter jurisdiction, the court may: 1) deny joinder, or 2) permit joinder and remand to state court. 28 U.S.C. § 1447(e). Having permitted joinder herein, remand to state court is not only proper, it is mandatory. Id.; Hensgens v. Deere & Co., 833 F.2d 1179, 1182 (5th Cir. 1987).2 Accordingly, by separate judgment, the court shall remand the matter to the Fourth Judicial District Court for the Parish of Morehouse, State of Louisiana. 28 U.S.C. § 1447(e).3

FootNotes


1. On August 26, 2013, George Petty voluntarily dismissed his claims against the original defendants. See M/Partial Dismissal and Judgment [doc. #s 9 & 10].
2. In Hensgens, the Fifth Circuit vacated an amendment that allowed the joinder of a diversity-destroying defendant because the court and the parties did not recognize the effect of the amendment. Hengens, supra. Since Hensgens, however, Congress has enacted § 1447(e) which sets forth the ramifications of a post-removal joinder.
3. Federal courts are obliged to examine the basis for the exercise of federal subject matter jurisdiction. Smith v. Texas Children's Hospital, 172 F.3d 923, 925 (5th Cir. 1999). A lack of subject matter jurisdiction may be raised at any time. Giles v. Nylcare Health Plans, Inc., 172 F.3d 332, 336 (5th Cir. 1999). Furthermore, a court must raise the issue sua sponte if it discovers that it lacks subject matter jurisdiction. Id.
Source:  Leagle
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Citations
13-2207.
Counsels
  • Travis M Holley
  • John C Turnage
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