The insured claimed “removal was improper because the amount in controversy [did] not exceed $75,000” on the face of the complaint. The insurer argued that the controversy exceeded $75,000 because the complaint sought attorneys’ fees, interest, costs, and punitive damages. The insured sought remand because the insurer “has not shown that punitive damages would lead to an award exceeding $75,000.”
On removal, the “defendant bears the burden of showing that federal jurisdiction is proper.” The insurer specifically argued the controversy exceeded the $75,000 jurisdictional minimum because the complaint asserted a claim for “compensatory damages consisting of collision coverage benefits ‘in a sum in excess of $14,500.00,’ punitive damages (which are available under Pennsylvania law if Defendant has acted in bad faith), attorneys’ fees, interest, and costs.” It cited authority “where jurisdiction was retained based on asserted compensatory damages of $14,000-$15,000 as well as the plaintiffs’ requests for attorney fees and punitive damages.”
The insured did not refute this authority, but instead argued the insurer moved to dismiss the bad faith claim, which was the source for punitive damages. The Court observed that a “motion to remand must be decided before the Court exercises jurisdiction over the case and Defendant’s motion to dismiss.” Thus, the Court considered the punitive damages claim and denied insured’s motion to remand.
Date of Decision: July 24, 2018
Winslow v. Progressive Specialty Ins. Co., U. S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania, CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:18-CV-1094, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 123266, 2018 WL 3546560 (Conaboy, J.)
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