Opinion ID: 2521456
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Kilbourne Litigation

Text: Like the present case, Kilbourne was brought by, and on behalf of, residents of the nursing home against the Respondents. The named plaintiffs in the action sought damages for claims similar to those alleged in the present litigation, including CCPA violations, third-party breach of contract, negligence, implied contract/unjust enrichment, and outrageous conduct. The named plaintiffs also obtained class certification for current and future residents of the nursing home under C.R.C.P. 23(b)(2). See Kilbourne v. Health Care Mgmt. Partners, Ltd., No. 99CV2232 (Denv.Dist.Ct. Mar. 27, 2000) (order certifying class). In their motion for class certification, the plaintiffs stated that they only sought injunctive relief on behalf of the class under C.R.C.P. 23(b)(2). Additionally, the plaintiffs noted that because they sought certification under C.R.C.P. 23(b)(2), notice to potential class members was not required. While the plaintiffs' motion to certify the class was pending, plaintiffs' counsel sent letters to residents of the nursing home who were not named plaintiffs. After explaining that the attorneys were attempting to represent residents of the nursing home on a class basis, the letters stated that the attorneys wished to speak with residents, their families, or their friends, and listed the attorneys' contact information. [3] The record is not clear as to how many letters were sent or to whom they were sent. [4] After the class was certified, however, the Kilbourne plaintiffs began to enter into settlement agreements regarding their individual claims. In December of 2000, the nursing home closed. In February of 2001, the Kilbourne parties filed a stipulated motion to dismiss. Along with dismissal of the named plaintiffs' claims against the Kilbourne defendants, the motion requested dismissal of the class claim for injunctive relief. The motion stated that this claim became moot once the nursing home closed. The motion concluded with the parties' request that the court dismiss these claims with prejudice. The Kilbourne court granted the motion to dismiss all claims with prejudice, as stipulated. Kilbourne v. Health Care Mgmt. Partners, Ltd., No. 99CV2232 (Denv.Dist.Ct. Feb. 12, 2001) (dismissal order). In September of 2001, the Kilbourne plaintiffs settled the remainder of their claims. The Petitioners filed the present case less than three weeks after the Kilbourne plaintiffs entered into these agreements.