Opinion ID: 2350879
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Class Time Period

Text: A proposed class definition must be sufficiently definite so that it is administratively feasible to ascertain whether or not a particular individual is a member of the class. In Jackson, we held that a court must determine whether the proposed class definition `specif[ies] a particular group that was harmed during a particular time frame,' and `facilitate[s] a court's ability to ascertain [the class's] membership in some objective manner.' Op. at 115 (quoting Bentley v. Honeywell Int'l, Inc., 223 F.R.D. 471, 477 (S.D.Ohio 2004)); see also Cook v. Rockwell Int'l Corp., 151 F.R.D. 378, 382 (D.Colo.1993) (requiring a proposed class definition that is sufficiently definite so that it is administratively feasible for the court to determine whether a particular individual is a member [of the class]). This determination turns on whether there is an evidentiary basis for Plaintiffs' proposed class definition. See Jackson, 262 P.3d at 887 (focusing on whether there [was] a logical reason or evidentiary basis for drawing the class boundaries at a particular location (quotations omitted)). Here, the trial court satisfied itself that the evidence presented supported the proposed class definition. Plaintiffs' accounting expert testified that BP was using the netback methodology, albeit not uniformly, throughout the entire Class Time Period. He also testified that sufficient accounting information was available to comprehensively review BP's royalty accounting for the entire Class Time Period, and to prepare damage calculations for all of the class members. Based on this undisputed testimony, the trial court determined that it was administratively feasible to identify whether an individual was in the class. It thus approved the proposed Class Time Period from January 1, 1986 to December 1, 1997. BP claims that the Class Time Period is overbroad and thus violates LaBerenz v. American Family Mutual Insurance Co. because it potentially includes individuals who suffered no injury. 181 P.3d 328, 336 (Colo. App.2007) (Any class members who suffered no damage would have no claim and would not properly belong in the class.). Prior to 1993, BP claims that it did not consistently use the netback methodology. In fact, BP claims there is no practical means to determine whether BP used the netback methodology in specific circumstances prior to 1993. It is therefore impossible, in BP's view, to definitively identify who was injured by its inconsistent use of the netback methodology from 1986 to 1993. Thus, BP argues that the class, if certified, must be limited to the Class Time Period from 1993 to 1997 so as to exclude Plaintiffs who may not have suffered an injury prior to 1993. This argument overlooks the trial court's clear factual findings. The trial court expressly found that Plaintiffs will be able to submit a comprehensive damages analysis for each Plaintiff for the entire Class Time Period. The trial court was satisfied that this evidence would allow it to identify which Plaintiffs were injured by BP's use of the netback methodology prior to 1993 and thus properly belong in the class. This determination complies with Jackson, which merely requires a class definition that permits the court to determine whether a particular individual is a member of the class. See Op. at 115. Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in certifying a class extending from January 1, 1986 through December 1, 1997. In fact, a shorter Class Time Period might preclude Plaintiffs from recovering the alleged full amount of their royalty underpayments. Based on the evidence presented, the trial court was satisfied that BP did use the netback methodology, albeit inconsistently, prior to 1993 to calculate certain Plaintiff's royalty payments. If the trial court had limited the Class Time Period to only include the timeframe from 1993 to 1997, it would have excluded certain Plaintiffs from recovering the full amount of their claims. Such a result was unnecessary given the trial court's determination that it was administratively feasible to separate Plaintiffs with claims prior to 1993 from those without claims. The trial court did not therefore abuse its discretion in approving the entire Class Time Period, and certifying the class accordingly.