NANCY J. KOPPE, Magistrate Judge.
Pending before the Court is Plaintiff's motion to remand this case to state court. Docket No. 9. Defendant Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ("Wal-Mart") filed a response in opposition and Plaintiff filed a reply. Docket Nos. 14, 18. Also pending before the Court is Wal-Mart's motion to sever the claims brought against Defendant Samantha Jo Tedesco ("Tedesco"). Docket No. 10. Plaintiff filed a response and Wal-Mart filed a reply. Docket Nos. 17, 19. The Court also received supplemental briefing from the parties. Docket Nos. 21, 22.
Both motions require the Court to determine whether joinder is proper of claims brought under Nevada law against two defendants arising out of two incidents that both allegedly contribute to the same injury. This appears to be an issue of first impression in this District. Moreover, other courts have reached different conclusions on this issue and the Ninth Circuit has not addressed it. For the reasons explained more fully below, the Court concludes that the claims against Wal-Mart and Tedesco are properly joined in this case. Accordingly, the Court
Wal-Mart is a citizen of Delaware and Arkansas. See Notice of Removal at 3 (Docket No. 1). Plaintiff and Tedesco are citizens of Nevada. Compl. ¶¶ 1, 5 (Docket No. 1-2). Plaintiff alleges that, on or about August 11, 2013, he slipped on a clear liquid at a Wal-Mart store and injured his head, neck and shoulders. Id. at ¶¶ 10-11. Plaintiff brings claims against Wal-Mart alleging negligence. Plaintiff also alleges that he was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Tedesco, on or about December 4, 2013, and that he was injured at that time when Tedesco rear-ended another car. Compl. at ¶¶ 13-14. Plaintiff alleges that the car accident caused injury to his head, neck and shoulders. Id. at ¶ 15. Plaintiff brings claims against Tedesco alleging negligence.
Plaintiff alleges that the injuries suffered in the above two events are intertwined, and that it is not possible to accurately apportion the injuries sustained between the two events. Id. at ¶¶ 16-17. As a result, Plaintiff alleges that Wal-Mart and Tedesco bear the burden of apportioning damages, and that they will be held jointly and severally liable for his injuries if they cannot meet that burden. See id. at ¶¶ 17-18; see also Kleitz v. Raskin, 738 P.2d 508, 509 (Nev. 1987) (holding that once a successive tortfeasor is found to have caused injury, it has the burden of apportioning damages and will be held jointly and severally liable for the entire amount if it fails to meet that burden).
Plaintiff brought suit against both Defendants in state court. On February 12, 2014, Wal-Mart removed the case to this Court, asserting that diversity jurisdiction exists because Defendants were fraudulently misjoined. See Docket No. 1 at 3. In particular, Wal-Mart asserted that the claims against Tedesco are severable from the claims against Wal-Mart such that complete diversity would exist as to severed claims against Wal-Mart. See id. On March 12, 2014, Plaintiff filed a motion to remand to state court, arguing that the claims against Defendants were properly joined in a single suit. Docket No. 9. On March 14, 2014, Wal-Mart responded by filing a motion to sever, arguing that the claims were not properly joined in a single suit. Docket No. 10. Those two motions are now before the Court.
"Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction." Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins. Co. Of Am., 511 U.S. 375, 377 (1994). Federal courts have jurisdiction over claims arising out of state law where the claims are between citizens of different states and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. See 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a). Generally speaking, diversity jurisdiction exists only where there is "complete diversity" among the parties; each of the plaintiffs must be a citizen of a different state than each of the defendants. Caterpillar Inc. v. Lewis, 519 U.S. 61, 68 (1996).
Under 28 U.S.C. § 1441(a), "any civil action brought in a State court of which the district courts of the United States have original jurisdiction, may be removed by the defendant or defendants, to the district court of the United States for the district . . . where such action is pending." If jurisdiction is found lacking in a removed case, the federal court must remand the case back to state court. See 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c). In determining whether removal is proper, courts must strictly construe the removal statute against removal, and "[f]ederal jurisdiction must be rejected if there is any doubt as to the right of removal in the first instance." E.g., Gaus v. Miles, Inc., 980 F.2d 564, 566 (9th Cir. 1992).
Whether the Court has jurisdiction in this case turns on the application of the relevant rules governing joinder: if the claims against Tedesco and Wal-Mart are properly joined, complete diversity does not exist. Unfortunately, the parties' briefing leaves several threshold issues unaddressed. First, the crux of Wal-Mart's position is that there has been a "fraudulent misjoinder" of the claims against it and Tedesco. See, e.g., Docket No. 14 at 2. Although not acknowledged by Wal-Mart, there is uncertainty as to whether the fraudulent misjoinder doctrine applies in this Circuit, see, e.g., Osborn v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., 341 F.Supp.2d 1123, 1126-28 (E.D. Cal. 2004) (refusing to apply doctrine), and, if it does, the relevant standards for applying it, see Greene v. Wyeth, 344 F.Supp.2d 674, 684-85 (D. Nev. 2004) ("it is impossible to know which standard would be employed by the Ninth Circuit," but finding no requirement of an "egregious" misjoinder). Nonetheless, Plaintiff does not contest that the doctrine applies in this Circuit nor does he argue that it requires a showing of "egregious" misjoinder or some other requirement beyond mere violation of the joinder rules. Accordingly, the Court assumes without deciding that the fraudulent joinder doctrine applies and will utilize the approach adopted in Greene focusing on whether the joinder rules have been satisfied.
Second, the parties' briefing relies exclusively on the joinder requirements outlined by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and fails to address the threshold issue of whether the Court's analysis is governed by the federal or state rules. See, e.g., Erie R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 78-80 (1938). Under the Erie doctrine, federal courts sitting in diversity apply state substantive law and federal procedural law. E.g., Zamani v. Carnes, 491 F.3d 990, 995 (9th Cir. 2007). "Because it is primarily a procedural device, party joinder in the federal courts is governed by Rule 20 and state restrictions on the practice are inapplicable." 7 Charles Alan Wright, Arthur R. Miller, & Mary Kay Kane, FEDERAL PRACTICE & PROCEDURE, § 1652, at 400 (3d. ed., 2014 suppl.). Hence, for cases filed initially in federal court on the basis of diversity jurisdiction, it is well-settled that the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure apply to issues related to joinder. See, e.g., Siebrand v. Gossnell, 234 F.2d 81, 92 (9th Cir. 1956). Similarly, courts have applied the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in determining whether the post-removal joinder of additional parties is proper. See, e.g., Winner's Circle of Las Vegas, Inc. v. AMI Franchising, Inc., 916 F.Supp. 1024, 1028 (D. Nev. 1996).
The Erie analysis is less clear in cases involving challenges to the joinder of defendants in state court prior to removal since the case was in state court subject to state procedural rules at the time the parties were actually joined. See, e.g., Carper v. Adknowledge, Inc., 2013 WL 5954898, *4 n.3 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 6, 2013) (outlining competing policy considerations). As noted above, the parties here do not tackle this issue and instead focus their analysis on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Rather than wade into this unsettled issue of law, other courts have found a choice of law determination unnecessary when no meaningful difference exists between the state and federal joinder rules. See, e.g., In re Prempro Prods. Liability Litig., 591 F.3d 613, 622 n.6 (8th Cir. 2010). This Court similarly finds this determination unnecessary because the applicable state and federal rules are substantially similar. Compare Nev. R. Civ. P. 20 ("All persons may be joined in one action as defendants if there is asserted against them jointly, severally, or in the alternative, any right to relief in respect of or arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences and if any question of law or fact common to all defendants will arise in the action") with Fed. R. Civ. P. 20(a)(2) ("Persons . . . may be joined in one action as defendants if: (A) any right to relief is asserted against them jointly, severally, or in the alternative with respect to or arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences; and (B) any question of law or fact common to all defendants will arise in the action"); see also Greene, 344 F. Supp. 2d at 683 (noting the Nevada and federal joinder rules are "nearly identical").
The Court therefore turns to Rules 20 and 21 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
"Although the specific requirements of Rule 20 . . . may be satisfied, a trial court must also examine the other relevant factors in a case in order to determine whether the permissive joinder of a party will comport with the principles of fundamental fairness." Desert Empire Bank, 623 F.2d at 1375; see also Coleman, 232 F.3d at 1296 (courts must analyze whether joinder comports with the principles of fundamental fairness or would result in prejudice). In doing so, courts consider the purposes of Rule 20, including promoting judicial economy and reducing inconvenience, delay, and expense. See Garner v. Bank of America Corp., 2013 WL 5492691, *4 (D. Nev. Sept. 30, 2013) (citing Coughlin, 130 F.3d at 1351).
The primary question before the Court is whether Plaintiff properly joined in a single suit his claims against Defendants Wal-Mart and Tedesco. As noted above, Plaintiff argues that Defendants each contributed to the same injury even though he alleges he was injured by each Defendant at separate times. In undertaking its analysis, the Court is cognizant that different courts have ruled on this issue differently even when presented with very similar circumstances. In light of this divergence, the Court finds an overview of case law addressing similar circumstances to be particularly useful in this case.
The majority of courts have found that joinder of defendants is proper where they are alleged to be successive tortfeasors who each contributed to the same injury. The majority approach is outlined in Wilson v. Famatex GmbH Fabrik Fuer Textilausruestungsmaschinen, 726 F.Supp. 950 (S.D.N.Y. 1989). In that case, the plaintiff injured his finger while operating a dyeing machine and brought a products liability claim against the machine manufacturer. Id. at 951. After the suit was removed to federal court, the plaintiff sought leave to amend his complaint to bring a medical malpractice claim against the surgeon who treated his injured finger. See id. The court ruled that the Rule 20 joinder requirements were "clearly satisfied." Id. In particular, the court noted that both claims related to the same injury and that, while the legal basis for the claims were separate, the two incidents were part of a series of occurrences contributing to that injury. Id. The court found common questions of law and fact regarding causation, the extent of damages, and the relative liability of each defendant. Id. at 951-52. The court further found that joinder of the claims comported with the principles of fundamental fairness. See id. at 952-53.
A similar result was reached more recently in Jacques v. Hyatt Corp., 2012 WL 3010969 (N.D. Cal. July 23, 2012). In that case, the plaintiff alleged that he fell at a hotel in Hawaii, causing him to injure his knee. Id. at *1. He further alleged that he aggravated that injury two months later in California due to a defect in the knee brace he was wearing. Id. at *2. The plaintiff brought suit against both defendants, alleging negligence causes of action against the hotel and a products liability cause of action against the knee brace manufacturer. Id. Providing extensive analysis, the court determined that the claims were properly joined. First, the court determined that there was a sufficient relationship between the two incidents such that they constituted a series of occurrences: the injury and re-injury occurred to the same body part in the same way, the second accident would not have occurred but for the first, and there were overlapping damages. Id. at *3. Second, the court determined that there were common questions of fact or law related to, "[a]t a minimum, preexisting conditions, contributing factors, and the nature and extent of [the plaintiff's] injuries.... Each of the defendants, moreover, will surely be pointing to the other as the primary cause of the ultimate injuries." Id. at *4. Lastly, the court concluded that factors of fundamental fairness supported joining the claims against the defendants. Id. at *5-6.
The conclusions reached in Wilson and Jacques are consistent with long-standing jurisprudence applying Rule 20 liberally to find that defendants are properly joined in similar circumstances. See, e.g., Stephens v Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc., 807 F.Supp.2d 375, 382-85 (D. Md. 2011); Bell v. Werner Enterps., Inc., 2011 WL 1297115, *3 (N.D.W.Va. Apr. 5, 2011); Wyatt v. Charleston Area Medical Ctr. Inc., 651 F.Supp.2d 492, 498-99 (S.D.W.Va. 2009); Massaro v. Bard Access Sys., Inc., 209 F.R.D. 363, 369 & n.5 (E.D. Pa. 2002); Rodriguez v. Abbott Labs., 151 F.R.D. 529, 533 (S.D.N.Y. 1993); Poster v. Central Gulf S.S. Corp., 25 F.R.D. 18, 19-20 (E.D. Pa. 1960); McNeil v. American Export Lines, Inc., 166 F.Supp. 427, 428 (E.D. Pa. 1958); Lucas v. City of Juneau, 127 F.Supp. 730, 732 (D. Alaska 1955).
Nonetheless, a minority approach has arisen finding that joinder is not proper in similar circumstances. That minority approach is summarized in Oda v. United States, 2012 WL 692409 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 2, 2012). In that case, the plaintiff was injured in two separate car accidents roughly three months apart. See id. at *1. Plaintiff attempted to amend her complaint to add as a defendant the driver responsible for the second accident. See id. The court disagreed, finding that the action would be based on "two completely separate accidents. Although the two accidents allegedly contribute to [the plaintiff's] current injuries, the facts surrounding the accident with the [first] driver and the facts surrounding the accident with the [second driver] are wholly distinct from one another." Id. at *2. The court further noted that a finding of liability as to one driver would have "no bearing whatsoever on a finding of liability [for] the other," such that the evidence required to determine liability would be separate for the claims against each defendant. Id. As a result, the court found joinder improper. See id.
The court reached a similar result in Hughes v. Sears, Roebuck and Co., 2009 WL 2877424 (N.D.W.Va. Sept. 3, 2009). In that case, the plaintiff allegedly fell off of a treadmill purchased from a retailer and was then injured by an alleged misdiagnosis at the hospital. See id. at *1. The plaintiff brought, inter alia, a products liability claim against the retailer and a medical malpractice claim against the medical provider. See id. The court held that the incidents did not arise out of the same transaction or occurrence because the claims would be supported by "markedly different" evidence and there was no "bridge" between the claims given that the medical provider had no control over the allegedly defective product. Id. at *6. The court further found that there were no common questions of law or fact because a finding of liability against one defendant would have no bearing to finding liability as to the other defendant. Id. For those reasons, the court concluded that the joinder requirements for Rule 20 had not been satisfied.
The majority and minority approaches outlined above provide significantly different treatment of similar situations. Some courts have explained their departure from similar cases by distinguishing them factually. See Jacques, 2012 WL 3010969, at *3 (distinguishing Oda based on the existence of a but-for causal connection between the claims); Bell, 2011 WL 1297115, at *3 (distinguishing Hughes on the basis that the claims against both defendants were based on negligence causing car accidents). In the Court's review of the case law as whole, however, the cases following the majority and minority approaches are factually irreconcilable as it is clear that "courts, faced with nearly identical facts, differ drastically in applying" Rule 20's joinder requirements. Hughes, 2009 WL 2877424, at *6.
The Court first determines whether Plaintiff asserts a right to relief relating to or arising out of the same transaction or occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences, as required by Rule 20(a)(2)(A). See Desert Empire Bank, 623 F.2d at 1375. Wal-Mart argues vigorously that Plaintiff's slip-and-fall in its store and the car accident involving Tedesco are not part of a series of occurrences. See, e.g., Docket No. 22 at 2-5. Courts take a case-by-case approach in determining whether a particular factual situation constitutes a transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences. See, e.g., Stephens, 807 F. Supp. 2d at 382. A series of occurrences exists where the occurrences involve related activities and have a similarity in factual background. See, e.g., Jacques, 2012 WL 3010969, *3 (quoting Bravado Int'l Group Merchandising Servs. v. Cha, 2010 WL 2650432, *2 (C.D. Cal. June 30, 2010)). "Joinder in a single case may be appropriate—even though there might be different occurrences—if the claims involve enough related operative facts." Bentley Indus., Inc. v. Longevity Network, LLC, 2013 WL 6858904, *3 (D. Nev. Dec. 30, 2013) (citing Mosley v. General Motors Corp., 497 F.2d 1330, 1333 (8th Cir. 1974)).
Wal-Mart argues that claims arise out of the same series of occurrences only "when there is an articulable causal connection between the two incidents and a factual dependency in ascertaining liability." Docket No. 22 at 2.
Nothing in the text of Rule 20 supports a restrictive reading that a series of occurrences can only exist where there is a causal connection that exists between incidents and a factual dependency in ascertaining liability. The Rule is satisfied where there is a "right to relief . . . with respect to or arising out of the same . . . series of . . . occurrences," and nothing intrinsic in that text requires such a limitation. The Court is especially disinclined to read into the Rule the limitations proposed by Wal-Mart in light of the Ninth Circuit's dictate that the Rule be liberally construed. See, e.g., League to Save Lake Tahoe, 558 F.2d at 917. As a prominent treatise has noted, "[i]llustrative of the liberal approach to the concept of same transaction or occurrence employed by many federal courts are cases in which the court permits an injured plaintiff to join both the original tortfeasor and a second tortfeasor whose subsequent negligence aggravated plaintiff's original injuries." 7 Charles Alan Wright, Arthur R. Miller, & Mary Kay Kane, FEDERAL PRACTICE & PROCEDURE, § 1653, at 410-11 (3d. ed., 2014 suppl.).
Rather than the rigid test advanced by Wal-Mart, the requirement that the right to relief relate to the same series of occurrences is a flexible one: "There is no bright-line definition of `transaction,' `occurrence,' or `series'; courts assess the facts of each case individually to determine whether joinder is sensible in light of the underlying policies of permissive party joinder." Bentley Industries, 2013 WL 6858904 at *3 (citing Coughlin, 130 F.3d at 1350). The Court construes Rule 20(a)(2)(A) liberally to determine whether the claims involve related activities and have a similarity in factual background. See Jacques, 2012 WL 3010969, at *3.
The Court finds that requirement met in this case. Plaintiff alleges that he suffered injuries to his head, neck and shoulders when he slipped and fell as a result of Wal-Mart's negligence, and that he thereafter aggravated the injuries to his head, neck, and shoulders when he was in a car accident a few months later as a result of Tedesco's negligence. In light of the proximity in time, the overlapping damages, and the similarity in injury, the Court concludes that the claims are part of a series of occurrences. As such, the requirement of Rule 20(a)(2)(A) is met in this case.
The Court next must determine whether there exist any common questions of law or fact, as required by Rule 20(a)(2)(B). See Desert Empire Bank, 623 F.2d at 1375. Wal-Mart argues that there are no common questions of law or fact, framing the inquiry as whether a finding of liability against one defendant could be a basis for liability as to another defendant. See Docket No. 22 at 5. Once again, the Court is cognizant that some courts have narrowly construed this inquiry by focusing on common bases of liability. See, e.g., Hughes, 2009 WL 2877424, at *6. But neither Wal-Mart nor the opinions on which it relies explain why the language of Rule 20 supports such an interpretation, and the Court finds that position unpersuasive.
It is important to keep in mind that the text of Rule 20 does not require a multitude of common questions or that common questions predominate, but rather that there be "any question of law or fact common to all defendants [that] will arise in the action." Rule 20(a)(2)(B) (emphasis added). Hence, there need only be a minimum of "at least one common question of law or fact." Jacques, 2012 WL 3010969, *4. The fact that there may be questions that are not common to all defendants does not defeat the showing on this requirement. See, e.g., Stephens, 807 F. Supp. 2d at 384. Moreover, the common issue must simply be one that "will arise in the action" generally, and Wal-Mart's emphasis on whether common questions exist regarding liability is contrary to that language and the Ninth Circuit's dictate that the Rule must be construed liberally, see, e.g., League to Save Lake Tahoe, 558 F.2d at 917.
With that background in mind, the Court finds here that common questions exist. Most obviously, the claims against Defendants include the common issue of what portion of Plaintiff's injury was caused by Wal-Mart's alleged negligence and what portion of Plaintiff's injury was caused by Tedesco's alleged negligence. "Each of the defendants . . . will surely be pointing to the other as the primary cause of the ultimate injuries." Jacques, 2012 WL 3010969, at *4. Indeed, Defendants both pled affirmative defenses to that end. See Docket No. 6 (Wal-Mart's thirteenth affirmative defense that Plaintiff's injuries were "caused by a subsequent accident or incident"); Docket No. 13 (Tedesco's third affirmative defense that Plaintiff's injuries were caused by "the acts or omissions of a third party over whom Defendant had no control"). The common question of apportioning liability between successive tortfeasors alone has been found to be sufficient to satisfy Rule 20(a)(2)(B)'s requirement for any common question. See, e.g., Bell, 2011 WL 1297115, at *3 (finding joinder proper of claims against defendants arising out of separate car accidents). In this case, there will be overlapping issues regarding the cause(s) of Plaintiff's injuries, the extent of Plaintiff's injuries, and the relative liability of each Defendant for the injuries. As such, the requirement of Rule 20(a)(2)(B) is also met in this case.
Having determined that joinder is proper under Rule 20, the Court turns to an analysis of whether joinder comports with the principles of fundamental fairness or would result in prejudice. See, e.g., Coleman, 232 F.3d at 1296. Wal-Mart raises numerous arguments that joinder of Defendants in a single suit is fundamentally unfair, which the Court discusses below.
Wal-Mart argues that Plaintiff will suffer no prejudice if the claims against Defendants are severed, while Wal-Mart will suffer significant prejudice if they remain joined. See, e.g., Docket No. 10 at 7-8. The Court disagrees on both issues. As Plaintiff notes, each Defendant is likely to argue that the other is responsible for Plaintiff's injuries, which creates the possibility of conflicting outcomes. See Docket No. 21 at 5; Docket No. 17 at 7. Indeed, Wal-Mart essentially acknowledges that it intends to make such argument. See Docket No. 19 at 6 ("Certainly as part of its defense Walmart will seek to rebut all of Plaintiff's claims, including those of causation and damages"). Wal-Mart contends that inconsistent outcomes are not possible because liability as to one Defendant does not establish liability as to the other. See Docket No. 22 at 7. This argument fails to account for the possibility that each Defendant is found liable for Plaintiff's injuries, but separate fact-finders determine that the other Defendant's conduct was primarily responsible for Plaintiff's injuries. Such a scenario could lead to a result where both Defendants are found to be liable, Plaintiff is found to be injured, and Plaintiff recovers far less damages for his resulting injuries than he is entitled. Allowing Defendants to point to the "empty chair" as the source of Plaintiff's injuries would prejudice Plaintiff. See, e.g., Jacques, 2012 WL 3010969, at *6.
Wal-Mart counters that it will be prejudiced because "questions, arguments and evidence regarding each party's liability will certainly skew each defendant's role in allegedly causing Plaintiff's damages." Docket No. 10 at 9. In particular, Wal-Mart argues that there is a risk that any negative evidence against Tedesco may be "imputed" to Wal-Mart. Id.; see also Docket No. 19 at 7 (arguing that joinder will create confusion for the jury). The Court finds this argument unpersuasive as "protective measure such as careful jury instructions will be sufficient to separate the allegations and evidence relevant to each claim, to the extent this is necessary." See Jacques, 2012 WL 3010969, at *5 (rejecting similar argument).
Wal-Mart also contends that it will be substantially prejudiced by joinder because it will incur added costs in participating in discovery related to Plaintiff's claims against Tedesco. See, e.g., Docket No. 22 at 7. In particular, Wal-Mart contends that it would "be forced to participate in discovery and other proceedings that may be irrelevant" to the claims brought against it, such as attending depositions related to the claims against Tedesco. See, e.g., Docket No. 19 at 6. Wal-Mart fails to provide meaningful elaboration on this argument explaining why it would be required to participate in "irrelevant" discovery or proceedings. Even more importantly, Wal-Mart fails to explain why that need regarding discovery arises only if the claims remain joined, given that Wal-Mart will certainly argue in any separate proceeding that Tedesco was the primary cause of any injury to Plaintiff. See Docket No. 19 at 6. As Plaintiff rightfully notes, it appears that each Defendant will likely seek discovery as to the incident involving the other Defendant, even if the cases proceed separately. See Docket No. 21 at 5.
In short, the Court finds that the risk of prejudice to the parties weighs in favor of joinder.
Wal-Mart next argues that allowing joinder of the claims would not result in judicial economy or efficiency. See Docket No. 10 at 10. Wal-Mart emphasizes that joining the claims will result in an overly cumbersome trial. Id. at 10-11. As an initial matter, Wal-Mart fails to explain why having two separate trials will be shorter or less burdensome. Moreover, Plaintiff notes that all of his damages evidence will be the same for each Defendant. See Docket No. 21 at 6. It promotes efficiency to have discovery of the damages evidence in only one case and have the evidence presented in only one trial. In light of the overlapping legal and factual issues identified above, the Court finds that efficiency concerns militate toward keeping the claims joined in a single action. See Jacques, 2012 WL 3010969, at *5 (rejecting similar argument).
For the reasons discussed above, the undersigned concludes that the joinder of Wal-Mart and Tedesco as Defendants in this action is proper. In particular, the Court finds that the two textual requirements of Rule 20(a)(2) are met and that joinder of the claims against Defendants comports with the principles of fundamental fairness. As a result, the Court
Pursuant to Local Rule IB 3-2 any objection to this Report and Recommendation must be in writing and filed with the Clerk of the Court within (14) days after service of this Notice. The Supreme Court has held that the courts of appeal may determine that an appeal has been waived due to the failure to file objections within the specified time. Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 142 (1985), reh'g denied, 474 U.S. 1111 (1986). This Circuit has also held that (1) failure to file objections within the specified time and (2) failure to properly address and brief the objectionable issues waives the right to appeal the District Court's order and/or appeal factual issues from the order of the District Court. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153, 1157 (9th Cir. 1991); Britt v. Simi Valley United Sch. Dist., 708 F.2d 452, 454 (9th Cir. 1983).
