Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_16-cv-01795/USCOURTS-casd-3_16-cv-01795-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 362
Nature of Suit: Medical Malpractice
Cause of Action: 28:1446mm Notice of Removal - Medical Malpractice

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Pending before the Court in this action under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 

28 U.S.C. §§1346(b) & 2671-2680 ("FTCA"), is the Government's unopposed 

motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. For the reasons stated 

below, the Government's motion is granted. This action is dismissed without 

prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Plaintiffs are granted leave to 

amend to allege federal jurisdiction for their claim against the remaining 

Defendant, Scripps Mercy Hospital, Chula Vista ("Scripps").

Plaintiffs filed a medical malpractice action in State court against Scripps 

and four doctors. The Government substituted into the action in place of the 

doctors and removed the action to this Court under42 U.S.C. §233. 

/ / / / /

ANGELICA CORREA et al., 

Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES et al.,

 

Defendants.

Case No: 16-cv-1795-L-NLS

ORDER OF DISMISSAL

Case 3:16-cv-01795-L-NLS Document 9 Filed 03/09/17 PageID.<pageID> Page 1 of 3
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Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1), the Government filed 

a motion to dismiss the claims asserted against it because Plaintiffs did not file an 

administrative claim as required by 28 U.S.C. §2675(a). Plaintiffs were served 

with the motion (see doc. no. 3-3 & 4-1), but did not file an opposition. The 

Government's motion to dismiss is therefore granted as unopposed. Civ. Loc. R. 

7.1.f.3; Ghazali v. Moran, 46 F.3d 52, 53-54 (9th Cir. 1995). In the alternative, the 

motion is granted because the FTCA "requirement of an administrative claim is 

jurisdictional." Brady v. United States, 211 F.3d 499, 502 (9th Cir. 2000). The

record does not show that Plaintiffs filed an administrative claim. Accordingly, the 

claims asserted against the Government are dismissed without prejudice for lack of 

subject matter jurisdiction.

Remaining in this action are the claims against Scripps. Unlike State courts, 

"Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. They possess only that power 

authorized by Constitution and statute, which is not to be expanded by judicial 

decree. It is to be presumed that a cause lies outside this limited jurisdiction, and 

the burden of establishing the contrary rests upon the party asserting jurisdiction." 

Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins. Co. of Am., 511 U.S. 375, 377 (1994) (citations 

omitted). Federal courts are constitutionally required to raise issues related to 

federal subject matter jurisdiction and may do so sua sponte. Arbaugh v. Y&H 

Corp., 546 U.S. 500, 514 (2006). A federal court must satisfy itself of its 

jurisdiction over the subject matter before proceeding to the merits of the case. 

Ruhrgas AG v. Marathon Oil Co., 526 U.S. 574, 577, 583 (1999). Plaintiff bears 

the burden of demonstrating that jurisdiction is properly before the Court. See 

Thornhill Publ'g Co. v. General Tel. & Elec. Corp., 594 F.2d 730, 733 (9th Cir. 

1979). 

Nothing in the record supports federal subject matter jurisdiction over the 

claims asserted against Scripps. The claims against Scripps are therefore 

dismissed without prejudice for failure to establish subject matter jurisdiction. 

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Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1653, Plaintiffs are granted leave to amend to allege 

federal jurisdiction as to Scripps. If Plaintiffs choose to file an amended 

complaint, they must do so no later than March 30, 2017. 

For the foregoing reasons it is ORDERED as follows:

1. The Government's motion to dismiss is granted. 

2. This action is dismissed without prejudice for lack of subject matter 

jurisdiction.

3. Plaintiffs are granted leave to amend the complaint to allege federal 

jurisdiction for claims against Scripps Mercy Hospital, Chula Vista. If Plaintiffs 

choose to file an amended complaint, they must do so no later than March 30, 

2017. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 9, 2017

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