Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-00051/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-00051-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 110
Nature of Suit: Insurance
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Insurance Contract

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DIANE VARIAN, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

PRINCIPAL NATIONAL LIFE 

INSURANCE COMPANY, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:23-cv-00051-NODJ-EPG

ORDER APPROVING STIPULATION

(ECF No. 30)

On February 29, 2024, the parties filed a stipulation (later amended), stating that there are 

“several other putative class actions [that] are currently pending in California district courts, 

including in this District, involving alleged violations of California Insurance Code sections 

10113.71 and 10113.72 by life insurers with respect to the provision of notices of lapse,” and 

there are likewise relevant appeals in Farley (Case No. 23-80037), Small (Case No. 23-80050), 

and Poe (Case No. 23-3243) before the Ninth Circuit. (ECF No. 30, p. 2). And “the parties 

believe that a stay of the action as to Plaintiffs’ claims against Principal Life pending the 

resolution of the pending appeals in Farley, Small, and Poe will advance the interests of justice 

because it will conserve the resources of the Court and of the parties.” (Id. at 4). The parties 

request that this “action be stayed as to Plaintiffs’ claims against Principal Life pending a final 

resolution of the appeals in Farley, Small, and Poe, and that Plaintiffs and Principal Life will file 

a Joint Status Report within 14 days after the final resolution of all three appeals.” (Id.). 

Case 1:23-cv-00051-NODJ-EPG Document 31 Filed 03/01/24 Page 1 of 2
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Upon review of the parties’ stipulation (ECF No. 30), IT IS ORDERED as follows:

1. This action is stayed as to the Plaintiffs’ claims against Principal Life pending a final 

resolution of the appeals in (1) Farley v. Lincoln Benefit Life Company, Case No. 23-

80037 (9th Cir.), (2) Small v. Allianz Life Ins. Co. of N. Am., Case No. 23-80050 (9th 

Cir.), and (3) Poe v. The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Case No. 23-

3243 (9th Cir.).

2. Plaintiffs and Principal Life shall file a joint status report within 14 days after the final 

resolution of all three appeals.

3. The action is not stayed as to Plaintiffs’ claims against Defendant Nelson and does not 

preclude Plaintiffs from moving to amend their complaint to add additional allegations, 

which one or more Defendants may oppose.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 1, 2024 /s/

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:23-cv-00051-NODJ-EPG Document 31 Filed 03/01/24 Page 2 of 2