Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-02308/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-02308-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 245
Nature of Suit: Real Property Product Liability
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DOMINGO CLEVELAND,

Plaintiff,

v.

JENSSEN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.,

Defendant.

No. 2:16-cv-2308 AC

ORDER

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding in this action pro se. This matter was accordingly 

referred to the undersigned by E.D. Cal. R. 302(c)(21) (referral of pro se cases). Plaintiff’s 

complaint does not challenge the conditions of his confinement, however.

I. IN FORMA PAUPERIS

Plaintiff requests leave to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”) under 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(a)(1), and has submitted an affidavit making the showing required by that statute. 

Accordingly, the request to proceed in forma pauperis will be granted.

Plaintiff is required to pay the statutory filing fee for this action. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1914(a), 

1915(b)(1). By this order, plaintiff will be assessed an initial partial filing fee in accordance with 

the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). By separate order, the court will direct the appropriate 

agency to collect the initial partial filing fee from plaintiff’s trust account and forward it to the 

Case 2:16-cv-02308-MCE-AC Document 4 Filed 10/25/16 Page 1 of 9
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Clerk of the Court. Thereafter, plaintiff will be obligated for monthly payments of twenty percent 

of the preceding month’s income credited to plaintiff’s prison trust account. These payments will 

be forwarded by the appropriate agency to the Clerk of the Court each time the amount in 

plaintiff’s account exceeds $10.00, until the filing fee is paid in full. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2).

II. SCREENING

Granting IFP status does not end the court’s inquiry. The federal IFP statute requires 

federal courts to dismiss a case if the action is legally “frivolous or malicious,” fails to state a 

claim upon which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is 

immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2).

Plaintiffs must assist the court in making this determination by drafting their complaint so 

that it contains a “short and plain statement” of the basis for federal jurisdiction (that is, the 

reason the case is filed in this court, rather than in a state court), as well as a short and plain 

statement showing that plaintiffs are entitled to relief (that is, who harmed the plaintiffs, and in 

what way). Plaintiffs’ claims must be set forth simply, concisely and directly. See “Rule 8” of 

the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (Fed. R. Civ. P. 8). The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 

are available online at www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/current-rules-practice-procedure/federalrules-civil-procedure.

Forms are available to help pro se plaintiffs organize their complaint in the proper way. 

They are available online at www.uscourts.gov/forms/pro-se-forms. A sample complaint form is 

annexed to this order.

III. ANALYSIS

A. The Complaint

The following allegations are assumed to be true only for purposes of this screening. 

Defendant is a “provider” of the drug Risperdal. Complaint (ECF No. 1) ¶¶ III(A), IV. After 

taking Risperdal for years, plaintiff was diagnosed with gynecomastia. Id. ¶ IV. Gynecomastia is 

a side effect of Risperdal, and plaintiff’s disease can be traced directly to his taking Risperdal. Id.

¶ 4. Defendant “never informed its consumer of the side effect of Risperdal which is in direct 

violation of the FDA rules governing these issues.” Id. ¶ IV.

Case 2:16-cv-02308-MCE-AC Document 4 Filed 10/25/16 Page 2 of 9
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Based upon these facts, the court infers that plaintiff is alleging a state tort claim based 

upon defendant’s alleged duty to warn him of the side-effects he experienced.

B. Federal Jurisdiction

The complaint contains a short and plain statement of plaintiff’s claim for relief. 

However, the complaint does not contain any statement or facts establishing why this federal 

district court has jurisdiction over plaintiff’s claim.

The “diversity” statute authorizes jurisdiction over state claims if the parties are citizens of 

different states, and if the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a). The 

complaint alleges that plaintiff seeks $600,000 in damages, well in excess of the jurisdictional 

amount. However, it does not allege plaintiff’s citizenship, nor defendant’s citizenship. 

Therefore, the court cannot determine whether the parties are citizens of different states. The 

complaint will therefore be dismissed with leave to amend so that plaintiff can include the 

jurisdictional facts of citizenship.

The complaint does mention “the FDA rules governing these issues.” Complaint ¶ IV. If 

plaintiff means to allege a claim under a federal law or regulation, his amended complaint should 

advise the court what specific law or regulation he bases his claim on.

The court notes that plaintiff’s complaint is written on a form that is best suited for claims 

under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and which does not include a space specifically set aside for a statement 

of jurisdiction. Accordingly, this order will be issued with a form of complaint annexed, which is 

better suited to this lawsuit.

C. The Merits

There exists a cause of action in California for failure to warn. See, e.g., Carlin v. 

Superior Court, 13 Cal. 4th 1104, 1116 (1996) (however, “in the case of prescription drugs, the 

duty to warn runs to the physician, not to the patient”). Accordingly, for screening purposes only, 

the complaint may state a claim, and is not “frivolous.”

D. Amending the Complaint

The amended complaint must include a short and plain statement of the basis for federal 

jurisdiction (that is, the reason the case is filed in this court, rather than in a state court).

Case 2:16-cv-02308-MCE-AC Document 4 Filed 10/25/16 Page 3 of 9
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The amended complaint must not refer to a prior pleading in order to make plaintiff’s 

amended complaint complete. An amended complaint must be complete in itself without 

reference to any prior pleading. Local Rule 220. This is because, as a general rule, an amended 

complaint supersedes the original complaint. See Pacific Bell Telephone Co. v. Linkline 

Communications, Inc., 555 U.S. 438, 456 n.4 (2009) (“[n]ormally, an amended complaint 

supersedes the original complaint”) (citing 6 C. Wright & A. Miller, Federal Practice & 

Procedure § 1476, pp. 556-57 (2d ed. 1990)). Therefore, in an amended complaint, as in an 

original complaint, each claim and the involvement of each defendant must be sufficiently 

alleged.

IV. CONCLUSION

For the reasons stated above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The Clerk of the Court is instructed to randomly assign a district judge to this case.

2. Plaintiff's request for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2), is GRANTED.

3. Plaintiff is obligated to pay the statutory filing fee of $350.00 for this action. Plaintiff 

is assessed an initial partial filing fee in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(b)(1). All fees shall be collected and paid in accordance with this court’s order to the 

Director of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation filed concurrently 

herewith.

4. The complaint is DISMISSED with leave to amend, for failure to allege facts 

establishing federal jurisdiction. Plaintiff shall have 30 days from the date of this order to file an 

amended complaint.

5. Failure to comply with this order may result in a recommendation that this action be

dismissed for lack of prosecution and failure to comply with a court order.

DATED: October 24, 2016

Case 2:16-cv-02308-MCE-AC Document 4 Filed 10/25/16 Page 4 of 9
Page 1 of 5

Pro Se 1 (Rev. 09/16) Complaint for a Civil Case

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

for the 

 District of California 

 

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Case No.

(to be filled in by the Clerk’s Office)

Plaintiff(s)

(Write the full name of each plaintiff who is filing this complaint. 

If the names of all the plaintiffs cannot fit in the space above, 

please write "see attached" in the space and attach an additional 

page with the full list of names.)

-vJury Trial: (check one) Yes No 

 

Defendant(s)

(Write the full name of each defendant who is being sued. If the 

names of all the defendants cannot fit in the space above, please 

write “see attached” in the space and attach an additional page 

with the full list of names.)

COMPLAINT FOR A CIVIL CASE

I. The Parties to This Complaint

A. The Plaintiff(s)

 Provide the information below for each plaintiff named in the complaint. Attach additional pages if 

 needed. 

 Name 

 Street Address 

 City and County

 State and Zip Code 

 Telephone Number

 E-mail Address 

B. The Defendant(s)

 Provide the information below for each defendant named in the complaint, whether the defendant is an 

 individual, a government agency, an organization, or a corporation. For an individual defendant, 

 include the person's job or title (if known). Attach additional pages if needed. 

 

 Defendant No. 1

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Page 2 of 5

Pro Se 1 (Rev. 09/16) Complaint for a Civil Case

 Name 

 Job or Title (if known)

 Street Address 

 City and County

 State and Zip Code 

 Telephone Number

 E-mail Address (if known)

 Defendant No. 2

 Name 

 Job or Title (if known)

 Street Address 

 City and County

 State and Zip Code 

 Telephone Number

 E-mail Address (if known)

 Defendant No. 3

 Name 

 Job or Title (if known)

 Street Address 

 City and County

 State and Zip Code 

 Telephone Number

 E-mail Address (if known)

 Defendant No. 4

 Name 

 Job or Title (if known)

 Street Address 

 City and County

 State and Zip Code 

 Telephone Number

 E-mail Address (if known)

Case 2:16-cv-02308-MCE-AC Document 4 Filed 10/25/16 Page 6 of 9
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Pro Se 1 (Rev. 09/16) Complaint for a Civil Case

II. Basis for Jurisdiction

 Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction (limited power). Generally, only two types of cases can be 

 heard in federal court: cases involving a federal question and cases involving diversity of citizenship of the 

 parties. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1331, a case arising under the United States Constitution or federal laws or treaties 

 is a federal question case. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1332, a case in which a citizen of one State sues a citizen of 

 another State or nation and the amount at stake is more than $75,000 is a diversity of citizenship case. In a 

 diversity of citizenship case, no defendant may be a citizen of the same State as any plaintiff. 

 What is the basis for federal court jurisdiction? (check all that apply)

 Federal question Diversity of citizenship

 Fill out the paragraphs in this section that apply to this case. 

 

A. If the Basis for Jurisdiction Is a Federal Question

 List the specific federal statutes, federal treaties, and/or provisions of the United States Constitution that 

 are at issue in this case. 

 

B. If the Basis for Jurisdiction Is Diversity of Citizenship

 

 1. The Plaintiff(s) 

 

 a. If the plaintiff is an individual 

 The plaintiff, (name) , is a citizen of the

 State of (name) . 

 b. If the plaintiff is a corporation 

 The plaintiff, (name) , is incorporated

 under the laws of the State of (name) ,

 and has its principal place of business in the State of (name)

 .

 (If more than one plaintiff is named in the complaint, attach an additional page providing the 

 same information for each additional plaintiff.)

 2. The Defendant(s) 

 a. If the defendant is an individual 

 The defendant, (name) , is a citizen of 

 the State of (name) . Or is a citizen of

 (foreign nation) .

Case 2:16-cv-02308-MCE-AC Document 4 Filed 10/25/16 Page 7 of 9
Page 4 of 5

Pro Se 1 (Rev. 09/16) Complaint for a Civil Case

 b. If the defendant is a corporation

 The defendant, (name) , is incorporated under

 the laws of the State of (name) , and has its

 principal place of business in the State of (name) .

 Or is incorporated under the laws of (foreign nation) ,

 and has its principal place of business in (name) .

 (If more than one defendant is named in the complaint, attach an additional page providing the 

 same information for each additional defendant.)

 3. The Amount in Controversy 

 The amount in controversy-the amount the plaintiff claims the defendant owes or the amount at 

 stake-is more than $75,000, not counting interest and costs of court, because (explain): 

 

III. Statement of Claim

 Write a short and plain statement of the claim. Do not make legal arguments. State as briefly as possible the 

 facts showing that each plaintiff is entitled to the damages or other relief sought. State how each defendant was 

 involved and what each defendant did that caused the plaintiff harm or violated the plaintiff's rights, including 

 the dates and places of that involvement or conduct. If more than one claim is asserted, number each claim and 

 write a short and plain statement of each claim in a separate paragraph. Attach additional pages if needed. 

 

IV. Relief

 State briefly and precisely what damages or other relief the plaintiff asks the court to order. Do not make legal 

 arguments. Include any basis for claiming that the wrongs alleged are continuing at the present time. Include 

 the amounts of any actual damages claimed for the acts alleged and the basis for these amounts. Include any 

 punitive or exemplary damages claimed, the amounts, and the reasons you claim you are entitled to actual or 

 punitive money damages. 

Case 2:16-cv-02308-MCE-AC Document 4 Filed 10/25/16 Page 8 of 9
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Pro Se 1 (Rev. 09/16) Complaint for a Civil Case

 

V. Certification and Closing 

 Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11, by signing below, I certify to the best of my knowledge, information, 

 and belief that this complaint: (1) is not being presented for an improper purpose, such as to harass, cause 

 unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of litigation; (2) is supported by existing law or by a 

 nonfrivolous argument for extending, modifying, or reversing existing law; (3) the factual contentions have 

 evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, will likely have evidentiary support after a reasonable 

 opportunity for further investigation or discovery; and (4) the complaint otherwise complies with the 

 requirements of Rule 11. 

A. For Parties Without an Attorney

 I agree to provide the Clerk's Office with any changes to my address where case-related papers may be 

 served. I understand that my failure to keep a current address on file with the Clerk's Office may result 

 in the dismissal of my case. 

 Date of signing: 

 Signature of Plaintiff 

 Printed Name of Plaintiff 

 B. For Attorneys

 Date of signing: 

 Signature of Attorney

 Printed Name of Attorney

 Bar Number

 Name of Law Firm 

 Street Address 

 State and Zip Code 

 Telephone Number

 E-mail Address 

Case 2:16-cv-02308-MCE-AC Document 4 Filed 10/25/16 Page 9 of 9