Yehuda Loya v. Costco Wholesale Corporation
Opinion
Trial Court Opinion
I.
BACKGROUND
Plaintiff Yehuda Loya visited a store owned and operated by Defendant Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco”) in Woodland Hills, California, on July 30, 2018. Not. of Removal, Ex. 1 (Compl.) at ¶ 24 [Doc. # 1-1]. He alleges that as he was shopping through the aisles on his scooter, an air compressor fell off a shelf, striking the top of his head and causing him severe injuries. Id.
On July 16, 2020, Plaintiff filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Costco, “Doe Manager (Doe 1”), “Doe Employee (Doe 2)”, and Does 3 through 50, inclusive. The Complaint alleges that, while Costco is a corporate citizen of Washington, Plaintiff, the Doe Manager, and the Doe Employee are “residents of Los Angeles County.” Id. at ¶¶ 1-5.
Costco removed the action to this Court on October 12, 2020. [Doc. # 1]. The Notice of Removal asserts that the Court has diversity jurisdiction over the action because Plaintiff and Costco are diverse and Plaintiff’s statement of damages received on September 22, 2020 indicates that he seeks at least $565,000 in general damages, past medical expenses, and other costs. Not. of Removal at ¶¶ 5-8, 17-18.