Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-3_06-cv-02359/USCOURTS-azd-3_06-cv-02359-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 442
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights Employment
Cause of Action: 42:2000e Job Discrimination (Employment)

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WO NN

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Maria Jones, as surviving spouse on behalf

of the Estate of Joseph Cook, 

Plaintiff, 

vs.

Unites States of America, 

Defendant. 

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No. CV 06-2359-PCT-EHC

ORDER

Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss (“Motion to Dismiss”) (Dkt. 19), filed on May 16,

2007, alleges that Plaintiff has failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted under

Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6), and that the Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction under Fed. R.

Civ. P. 12(b)(1). The United States relies on the assumption that Plaintiff’s claim is a

“wrongful death” tort claim that does not meet the requirements of the Federal Tort Claims

Act nor meets the limitations period for a tort claim against the United States pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 2401(b). 

Plaintiff argues she has filed a claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,

42 U.S.C. § 2000e, et seq., (Dkts. 1, 22), and that she has complied with the requirement of

filing her charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under 42 U.S.C. §

2000e-5(f)(1). (Dkt. 1, ¶ 2). Plaintiff Jones, Joseph Cook’s wife, alleges her husband was

employed by the Fort Defiance Indian Health Service hospital in Fort Defiance, Arizona, and

Case 3:06-cv-02359-EHC Document 23 Filed 03/25/08 Page 1 of 2
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was “the victim of discrimination with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, and

privileges of employment, because of [] his race, color and national origin.” (Dkt. 1, ¶ 7).

Plaintiff alleges that, as a result, Cook suffered damages, including severe emotional harm,

which culminated in his suicide. (Dkt. 1, ¶ 9).

The United States does not mention the Title VII claim in its Motion to Dismiss, and

supports its motion by treating Plaintiff’s suit as a tort action. The Motion to Dismiss is

inapplicable to Plaintiff’s allegations.

Accordingly,

IT IS ORDERED that the Motion to Dismiss (Dkt. 19) is denied.

DATED this 25th day of March, 2008.

Case 3:06-cv-02359-EHC Document 23 Filed 03/25/08 Page 2 of 2