Opinion
Civ. No. 19-1771 (UNA)
07-22-2019
NIYOM SOUVANNASOT, Plaintiff, v. MICHAEL KLEIN, Defendant.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff, a citizen of Joliet, Illinois, alleges that he was involved in a single-vehicle accident on January 15, 2018. Compl. at 1. It appears that there was a dispute as to the amount of his insurance deductible. See id. Plaintiff believes that his deductible is $500, and an insurance agent maintains that plaintiff's deductible is $1000. See id. Plaintiff refused to pay more than $500, and he asks the Court to "handle this case," id. at 2, against the president of the insurance company.
Federal district courts have jurisdiction in civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws or treaties of the United States. See 28 U.S.C. § 1331. In addition, 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. § 1332(a). The complaint does not state a claim arising under the United States Constitution or federal law and, therefore, the plaintiff does not demonstrate federal question jurisdiction. Because the plaintiff's demand for monetary damages does not exceed $75,000, and because the parties both are citizens of Illinois, the plaintiff fails to establish diversity jurisdiction. Accordingly, the Court will grant the plaintiff's application to proceed in forma pauperis and will dismiss the complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. An Order is issued separately. DATE: July 22, 2019
/s/_________
United States District Judge