Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-01859/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-01859-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 110
Nature of Suit: Insurance
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal- Insurance Contract

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

OSCAR E ERICKSON, INC,

Plaintiff,

 V

NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL INSURANCE

COMPANY OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN;

PACIFIC EMPLOYERS INSURANCE

COMPANY; ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE

COMPANY; THE INSURANCE COMPANY OF

THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA; AIG

DOMESTIC CLAIMS, INC; THE UNITED

STATES FIDELITY AND GUARANTY

COMPANY; METLIFE INSURANCE

COMPANY OF CONNECTICUT, fka THE

TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY;

GRANITE STATE INSURANCE COMPANY;

AND DOES 1-50,

Defendants.

 /

No C 07-1859 VRW

ORDER

Plaintiff Oscar E Erickson (Erickson) brought this action

against eight insurance companies, asserting that each carrier

failed to indemnify Erickson in response to multiple suits alleging

personal injuries from asbestos exposure. Erickson originally

filed his complaint in California state court. Defendant

Case 3:07-cv-01859-VRW Document 69 Filed 06/04/07 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Northwestern National Insurance Company (NNIC) removed the case,

thereby triggering the discovery stay of FRCP 26. Doc #1. 

Immediately thereafter, NNIC and defendant AIG Domestic Claims, Inc

(AIG) filed motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment as

their initial responsive pleadings. Doc ##11, 13. These motions

and others will be heard on July 5, 2007.

Erickson requests leave of court to file a motion to

conduct early discovery pursuant to FRCP 26(d) and FRCP 56(f). Doc

##58, 62. Erickson states that such discovery is necessary to

oppose the pending motions. Id. Erickson seeks a continuance of

the motions scheduled for July 5 to allow time to conduct the

requested discovery. Id. Defendants NNIC, AIG, Granite State

Insurance Company, and Insurance Company of the State of

Pennsylvania oppose Erickson’s request. Doc ##60, 61. These

defendants represent variously that: (1) they have already provided

all relevant materials; (2) the requested materials are not

available; (3) even if the requested materials were available, they

would not defeat the pending motions; (4) defendants would suffer

prejudice from the delay; and (5) early discovery would require

undue expense. Id. Defendants do not oppose a reasonable

continuance of the July 5 hearing date to accommodate counsel’s

availability. Id.

After reviewing the parties’ letters, the court GRANTS

Erickson’s request for leave to file a motion to conduct early

discovery. The court prefers to consider defendants’ numerous

objections in the context of such motion. Erickson shall file his

motion on or before June 21, 2007. Those defendants opposing the

request shall file an opposition on or before July 6, 2007. 

Case 3:07-cv-01859-VRW Document 69 Filed 06/04/07 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Erickson shall file a reply on or before July 13, 2007. The July

5, 2007 hearing is VACATED. The parties are to confer on a new

hearing date following entry of the court’s order on Erickson’s

motion for early discovery. After conferring, the parties are to

contact the deputy clerk to set up a hearing at a date convenient

to their schedules.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

 

VAUGHN R WALKER

United States District Chief Judge

Case 3:07-cv-01859-VRW Document 69 Filed 06/04/07 Page 3 of 3