Jason Douglas Obra v. Target Corporation

I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

This matter arises out of injuries Obra suffered when a light fixture fell on him while using the restroom at one of Defendant Target Corporation’s (“Target”) properties on August 1, 2023. [Dkt. 1 at 8]. Obra alleges that his injuries were a result of the negligence of Target and its employees’ in maintaining the property such that it was unsafe and dangerous to the general public. [Id. at 30–32]. Obra asserts theories of negligence and premises liability as to the actions of Target, Iran Gomez, and Does 1-50. [Id. at 10–15]. Page 1 of CIVIL MINUTES—GENERAL Initials of Deputy Clerk iv Obra filed his Complaint in Riverside County Superior Court on March 24, 2024. Id. Target removed this action on September 11, 2024. [Dkt. 1].

II. LEGAL STANDARD

Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins. Co. of Am., 511 U.S. 375, 377 (1994). Thus, federal courts can only hear cases if “there is a valid basis for federal jurisdiction.” Ayala v. Am. Airlines, Inc., No. 2:23-cv-03571-MEMF-MAR, 2023 WL 6534199, at *1 (C.D. Cal. Oct. 6, 2023) (citing Richardson v. United States, 943 F.2d 1107, 1112 (9th Cir. 1991)). A…