Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-01552/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-01552-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 362
Nature of Suit: Medical Malpractice
Cause of Action: 28:1346wd Wrongful Death

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18cv1552-MMA (MSB)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JEFFREY METZ, et al.

Plaintiffs,

v.

SHARP HEALTHCARE, et al.

Defendants.

Case No.: 18cv1552-MMA (MSB)

ORDER:

(1) RE: STIPULATION OF 

DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE; 

AND

(2) GRANTING JOINT MOTION TO 

REMAND TO STATE COURT

[Doc. No. 22, 23]

On May 26, 2017, Plaintiffs Jeffrey Metz, Jennifer Rose Perry, Gianna Marie 

Metz, and Joseph Charles Metz (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) filed a complaint for wrongful 

death in San Diego County Superior Court against Defendants Sharp Healthcare, Inc., 

Jason Earl Smith, M.D., and Christopher R. Calvert, M.D. (collectively, “Defendants”). 

Doc. No. 1-2. During discovery in state court, the parties learned that Dr. Smith was a 

federal employee acting within his course and scope of employment during the events 

alleged in the complaint. Doc. No. 1 at 2. Accordingly, on March 20, 2018, defense 

counsel accepted the tender from the United States Department of Justice for the defense 

of Dr. Smith. Id. On May 7, 2018, Dr. Smith was certified as a federal employee acting 

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within the scope of his employment as an employee of the United States. Id. 

Accordingly, on July 9, 2018, the case was removed to this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 

1442(a)(1), which provides for removal of cases against the United States, its agencies 

and officers. Id.; see 28 U.S.C. § 1442(a)(1). As an additional basis for removal, the 

parties noted that the tort claims for monetary relief against an employee of the United 

States are brought pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act (“FTCA”), which provides 

exclusive jurisdiction to United States District Courts. Doc. No. 1 at 3; see 28 U.S.C. § 

1346(b)(1). On July 16, 2018, the United States of America was substituted into the case 

in place of Dr. Smith. Doc. No. 5. 

The parties now stipulate that Sharp Healthcare, Inc. is vicariously liable for all of 

the acts, omissions, and any finding of negligence, including professional negligence 

(medical malpractice) of the United States of America, including Dr. Smith. Doc. No. 22 

at 3. The parties also stipulate that Sharp Healthcare, Inc., is responsible for any harm 

caused by the United States of America, including Dr. Smith, as it pertains to the incident 

in this case, is responsible for providing the costs of defense of all claims alleged against

the United States of America, including Dr. Smith, as well as indemnifying the United 

States of America, including Dr. Smith, for any findings against it/him. Id. Thus, the 

parties stipulate to dismissal with prejudice of Defendant United States of America 

pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1)(A)(ii). Id. at 3-4. Accordingly, 

Defendant United States of America is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.

In light of the parties’ stipulation of dismissal with prejudice of the United States 

of America, the parties also jointly move to remand this case back to the Superior Court 

of the State of California, County of San Diego, case number 37-2017-00019283-CUPO-CTL. Doc. No. 23 at 3. In support, the parties correctly note that the Court’s 

dismissal of the United States of America will cause the Court to lose subject matter 

jurisdiction over the case. See 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c). Therefore, the Court GRANTS the 

parties joint motion to remand. Doc. No. 23. The Clerk of Court is instructed to 

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terminate this case as to Defendant United States of America and REMAND this case to 

San Diego Superior Court.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 26, 2019

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