Opinion
Civil Action No. 6:14-02565
03-04-2015
Thibodeaux v. Union Pacific Railroad Co.
Magistrate Judge C. Michael Hill
ORDER
Before the Court is a Petition For Damages filed by plaintiff, Ivy Thibodeaux, Jr., alleging injuries resulting from the August 4, 2013 Union Pacific Railroad Company train derailment in Lawtell, Louisiana. R. 1. Plaintiff originally filed this action in the Twenty-seventh Judicial District Court, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. Defendant, Union Pacific Railroad Co., removed this action to this Court, contending that the parties are diverse in citizenship and the amount in controversy exceeds the jurisdictional threshold of $75,000. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1332, federal district courts have subject matter jurisdiction over civil actions in which the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000 exclusive of interest and costs and the parties are citizens of different states. The person seeking to invoke federal court jurisdiction has the burden of proof of demonstrating, at the outset of the litigation, that the federal court has authority to hear the case. St. Paul Reinsurance So., Ltd. v. Greenburg, 134 F.3d 1250, 1253 (5 Cir. 1998). Therefore, a removing party bears the burden of showing that federal jurisdiction exists. Manguno v. Prudential Property and Cas. Ins. Co., 276 F.3d 720, 723 (5 Cir. 2002).
The removing defendant must establish that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000 and the parties are diverse in citizenship. 28 U.S.C. § 1332. Here, the Petition establishes that the parties are diverse in citizenship. Thus, in order to remain in federal court, "the removing defendant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000." Gebbia v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 233 F.3d 880, 882 (5 Cir.2000). Plaintiff alleges, because he resides within one mile of the derailment site, he was directly affected and suffered damages from the toxic chemicals released including "respiratory distress, watery eyes, coughing, sore throat, breathing impairment [and] aggravation of a pre-existing condition" and fear and fright as a result of the chemical released. R. 1-1, ¶¶ 9, 11. He further avers he suffered property damages on his property located near the site. Id. at ¶ 12. Plaintiff lists the categories of damages he seeks to recover as "past and future: Bodily injury; Physical pain and suffering; Mental anguish and emotional distress; Medical and other related expenses; Loss of enjoyment of life; Damage to property and related expenses; Inconvenience to his person; Expenses related to evacuation; Fear and fright." Id. at ¶ 16. Plaintiff, however, fails to provide any quantification of his damages. Nor does the Petition contain any information concerning whether he sought medical treatment or the nature or cost of any treatment. Moreover the Petition contains on information as to his alleged property damage claim or the value of such claim. Thus, the Petition does not provide any facts that would permit reasonable estimate of Plaintiff's actual damages to be calculated.
Upon review, it is hardly apparent from the face of Plaintiff's Petition that his claims exceed $75,000.00. The injuries alleged and damages claimed are vaguely stated—amounting to customary categories of damages universally set forth in personal injury actions—and, thus, provide the Court with little guidance as to the actual damages that Plaintiff incurred. "[R]emoval cannot be based simply upon conclusory allegations." Felton v. Greyhound Lines, Inc., 324 F.3d 771, 774 (5 Cir.2003). The various damages stated in Plaintiff's Petition are too speculative to provide the Court the requisite degree of confidence that the Petition, standing alone, makes out a claim for more than $75,000.00.
Thus, upon sua sponte review of Defendant's removal materials, the Court concludes that it lacks subject matter jurisdiction because Defendant has failed to establish that the amount in controversy in this matter likely exceeds $75,000.00. Accordingly, as the Court is without subject matter jurisdiction to hear this suit,
IT IS ORDERED that the Clerk of this Court is to remand this action to the Twenty-seventh Judicial District Court, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.
Thus done and signed this 4 day of March, 2015 at Lafayette, Louisiana.
/s/_________
RICHARD T. HAIK, SR.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE