Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_18-cv-01676/USCOURTS-caed-1_18-cv-01676-7/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 710
Nature of Suit: Fair Labor Standards Act
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

THOMAS BELTRAN, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

OLAM SPICES AND VEGETABLES, INC.,

Defendant.

No. 1:18-cv-01676-NONE-SAB

ORDER DISMISSING PLAINTIFF 

MARIANA RAMIREZ PURSUANT TO 

RULE 25 OF THE FEDERAL RULES OF 

CIVIL PROCEDURE

(Doc. No. 19)

On July 7, 2015, plaintiffs filed this class action in Alameda Superior Court alleging 

violations of California labor law, and on December 10, 2018, the action was removed to this 

court. (Doc. No. 1.) On December 13, 2019, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 

25(a)(1), counsel for plaintiffs filed a notice and suggestion of the death of plaintiff Mariana 

Ramirez. (Doc. No. 19.) According to the notice and attached death certificate, plaintiff 

Mariana Ramirez passed away on October 14, 2019. (Id. at 3, 7.) Since becoming aware of the 

passing, counsel have made diligent efforts to contact the next of kin and identify legal 

successors or representatives of the deceased. (Id. at 3.) Counsel served the notice and 

suggestion of death on the possible successors or representatives of the deceased through 

personal service. (Id. at 4-5.) 

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Case 1:18-cv-01676-JLT-SAB Document 24 Filed 04/08/20 Page 1 of 2
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Pursuant to Rule 25(a)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure:

If a party dies and the claim is not extinguished, the court may order substitution 

of the proper party. A motion for substitution may be made by any party or by the 

decedent’s successor or representative. If the motion is not made within 90 days 

after service of a statement noting the death, the action by or against the decedent 

must be dismissed. 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(a)(1). “After a party’s death, if the right sought to be enforced survives only 

to or against the remaining parties, the action does not abate, but proceeds in favor of or against 

the remaining parties [and] [t]he death should be noted on the record.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(a)(2). 

The Ninth Circuit has held that there are two affirmative steps that trigger the running of the 

ninety-day period in Rule 25(a)(1). See Gilmore v. Lockard, 936 F.3d 857, 865 (9th Cir. 2019) 

(citing Barlow v. Ground, 39 F.3d 231, 233 (9th Cir. 1994)). First, a party must formally 

suggest the death of the party upon the record. Id. Second, the suggestion of death must be 

served on parties in accordance with Rule of Civil Procedure 5 and served on nonparties in 

accordance with Rule of Civil Procedure 4. Id.; Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(a)(3).

Here, plaintiffs have filed the formal notice suggesting death on the record and have 

submitted an affidavit stating the notice has been personally served on the possible successors 

or representatives of the deceased. (Doc. No. 19.) Plaintiffs have demonstrated compliance

with the initial requirements of Rule 25 and the ninety (90) day period began on December 13, 

2019. Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(a). The death of Plaintiff Mariana Ramirez was suggested upon the 

record more than ninety days ago, and no motion for substitution was made. Fed. R. Civ. P. 

25(a)(1). 

Accordingly, Mariana Ramirez is HEREBY DISMISSED as a named party in this action 

pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 25(a)(1), and the Clerk of the Court is directed to 

note the death on the record and terminate Mariana Ramirez from the docket. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 7, 2020 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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