Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-alnd-2_06-cv-01421/USCOURTS-alnd-2_06-cv-01421-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 362
Nature of Suit: Medical Malpractice
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal- Personal Injury

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

SOUTHERN DIVISION

VICKY L. WESSON,

Plaintiff,

v.

WALGREEN CO., et al.,

Defendants.

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CIVIL ACTION NO.

06-AR-1421-S

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Although fictitious parties are not recognized in federal

procedure, they are regularly employed in Alabama state courts

where the parties fully understand that a plaintiff can amend to

actually name a defendant whose name is unknown at the time the

complaint is filed, but whose name is subsequently ascertained. 

In the above-entitled case, it was apparent from the moment the

case was initially filed in the Circuit Court of Jefferson

County, Alabama, that plaintiff intended to complain not only

against the corporate defendant that allegedly sold her the

allegedly incorrect drug dosage, but also the individual

pharmacist who had filled the prescription. It would be unfair

in the extreme not to allow plaintiff to amend as she could have

in the state court. The amendment in this court was timely and

filed as a matter of right. If plaintiff’s amendment is allowed,

as it must be, the court lacks jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §

1332, there not being complete diversity. 

If the individual non-diverse defendant had been actually

FILED

 2006 Aug-14 PM 02:52

U.S. DISTRICT COURT

N.D. OF ALABAMA

Case 2:06-cv-01421-WMA Document 14 Filed 08/14/06 Page 1 of 2
named in the original complaint instead of fictitiously, and if

the diverse corporate defendant had removed by alleging the 

fraudulent joinder of the non-diverse defendant and the notice of

removal had been accompanied by the motion of the non-diverse

defendant to dismiss, the motion would not have been granted, and

the case would have been remanded, just as it will be under the

existing indistinguishable circumstances.

A appropriate separate order will be entered.

DONE this 14 day of August, 2006. th

_____________________________

WILLIAM M. ACKER, JR.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 2:06-cv-01421-WMA Document 14 Filed 08/14/06 Page 2 of 2