Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-00284/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-00284-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 110
Nature of Suit: Insurance
Cause of Action: 28:1132 E.R.I.S.A.

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JAMES FRANK, CASE NO. CV-F-08-284- LJO-GSA

Plaintiff, ORDER VACATING SCHEDULING

CONFERENCE; ORDERING MOTION

vs.

WILBUR-ELLIS COMPANY SALARIED

EMPLOYEES LTD PLAN and LIFE 

INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH

AMERICA,

Defendants.

 /

Defendants Wilbur-Ellis Company Salaried Employees Ltd Plan and Life Insurance Company

of North America (“Defendants”) removed this action on February 27, 2008. Removal was based on

federal question jurisdiction. Defendants contend that this action is governed by the Employee

Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. §1001 et seq. (“ERISA”) and therefore was

removable pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1441(b). 

The parties dispute this Court’s federal question jurisdiction in the Joint Scheduling Report filed

May 2, 2008. Plaintiff James Frank’s (“Plaintiff’s”) complaint lists two common law causes of action

for breach of insurance contract. Defendants contend that Plaintiff is required to amend his complaint,

as ERISA preempts the common law claims. Plaintiff does not anticipate amending his complaint and

maintains that he may move forward properly on the common law claims. Defendants represent they

will make an appropriate motion if Plaintiff refused to amend the complaint.

Case 1:08-cv-00284-LJO-GSA Document 11 Filed 05/07/08 Page 1 of 2
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As a Court of limited jurisdiction, this Court must determine whether jurisdiction exists to

proceed in this case. Moreover, whether this case is governed by the common law or ERISA affects

how, or whether, this Court will order a discovery plan in this action. These issues must be resolved

before this Court issues its scheduling order. Accordingly, this Court:

1. VACATES the May 12, 2008 scheduling conference; and

2. ORDERS Defendants, no later than May 21, 2008, to file and serve an appropriate

motion to resolve the jurisdictional and procedural issues in this action. This Court’s

local rules will apply as to opposition and reply filing deadlines. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 7, 2008 /s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill 

b9ed48 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:08-cv-00284-LJO-GSA Document 11 Filed 05/07/08 Page 2 of 2