Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_16-cv-01234/USCOURTS-azd-2_16-cv-01234-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 360
Nature of Suit: Other Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question: Personal Injury

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WO 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 

James Harris, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, et 

al., 

Defendants. 

No. CV-16-01234-PHX-JAT

ORDER 

 Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. As a result, they can hear only 

those cases that the Constitution and Congress have authorized them to adjudicate: 

namely, cases involving diversity of citizenship, a federal question, or cases to which the 

United States is a party. Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins. Co. of Am., 511 U.S. 375, 377 

(1994). The party asserting jurisdiction bears the burden of proving a jurisdictional basis 

exists. Id. In this case, because Plaintiff filed his suit in federal district court, he must 

show that the federal court is authorized to hear the case. 

 In the complaint, Plaintiff states, “Jurisdiction is within the statutory guide lines of 

the Federal District Court....” Doc. 1 at 2. Plaintiff’s sole cause of action is for 

negligence. Plaintiff claims to be a citizen of Arizona. It appears Defendants are also 

citizens of Arizona. Accordingly, it does not seem that either diversity jurisdiction or 

federal question jurisdiction exist in this case. 

 Therefore, 

IT IS ORDERED that within 21 days, Plaintiff shall file a supplement to his 

Case 2:16-cv-01234-JAT Document 5 Filed 05/20/16 Page 1 of 2
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complaint alleging a basis for federal subject matter jurisdiction or this case will be 

dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. 

 Dated this 20th day of May, 2016. 

Case 2:16-cv-01234-JAT Document 5 Filed 05/20/16 Page 2 of 2