Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_09-cv-04565/USCOURTS-cand-3_09-cv-04565-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 360
Nature of Suit: Other Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Personal Injury

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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

KENT WARD,

Plaintiff,

v

EQUILON ENTERPRISES LLC and SHELL

OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY LLC,

Defendant. /

No C 09-4565 VRW

ORDER

Defendants removed this action from Contra Costa County

superior court on September 28, 2009, alleging the court had

diversity jurisdiction pursuant to 28 USC § 1332. Doc #1. On

January 8, 2010, the court ordered defendants to show cause why the

case should not be remanded, as defendants had not shown by a

preponderance of the evidence that the amount in controversy

requirement was satisfied. Doc #17. 

Defendants’ response to the order asserts that at the

time of removal the amount in controversy exceeded one million

dollars. Doc #18 at 3. In support, defendants cite to the

declaration of Jeff Bullen, the Risk & Insurance Advisor for

defendant Shell Oil Company. Doc #19. The Bullen declaration

Case 3:09-cv-04565-RS Document 20 Filed 02/03/10 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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states “the amount of worker’s compensation insurance benefits that

Zurich had paid to Mr Ward as of [September 2, 2009] * * * totaled

$1,003,257 in benefits (lost wages, medical bills, and the like)

plus an additional $160,991 in expenses.” Id at ¶ 5. Plaintiff’s

complaint seeks, among other things, medical expenses and lost

wages. Doc #1 at 8. It is thus fair to conclude that $1,003,257

Zurich has paid to Mr Ward to cover “lost wages, medical bills, and

the like” represents at least a portion of the amount in

controversy.

Defendants’ response is sufficient for the court to

conclude by a preponderance of the evidence that the amount in

controversy exceeds $75,000. Accordingly, pursuant to 28 USC §

1332, the court will exercise jurisdiction over the case and the

order to show cause, Doc #17, is DISCHARGED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

 

VAUGHN R WALKER

United States District Chief Judge

Case 3:09-cv-04565-RS Document 20 Filed 02/03/10 Page 2 of 2