Liliana Gonzalez v. Costco Wholesale Corporation
Opinion
Trial Court Opinion
I. BACKGROUND
On August 26, 2020, Plaintiff Liliana Gonzalez filed a complaint in Riverside County Superior Court against Defendants Costco Wholesale Corporation and Does 1-20. (“Complaint,” Dkt. No. 1-1.) Ms. Gonzalez’s Complaint alleges negligence/premise liability. (See id.). On July 8, 2021, Costco removed the action. (“Removal,” Dkt. No. 1.) On August 9, 2021, Ms. Gonzalez filed the Motion. (Motion.) Costco opposed the Motion on August 23, 2021. (“Opposition,” Dkt. No. 14.) Ms. Gonzalez replied on August 30, 2021 (“Reply,” Dkt. No. 16.).
II. LEGAL STANDARD
Federal courts have limited jurisdiction, “possessing only that power authorized by Constitution and statute.” Gunn v. Minton, 568 U.S. 251, 256 (2013). As such, federal courts only have original jurisdiction over civil actions in which a federal question exists or in which there is complete diversity of citizenship between the parties and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1332. “Complete diversity” means that “each defendant must be a citizen of a different state from each plaintiff.” In re Digimarc Corp. Derivative Litigation, 549 F.3d 1223, 1234 (9th Cir. 2008).