Lipham v. Koch Farms of Ashland, LLC (CONSENT), No. 3:2018cv00660 - Document 20 (M.D. Ala. 2018)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER: It is hereby ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Amend and Clarify Complaint (Doc. 6 ) is granted. It is further ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion to Remand (Doc. 7 ) is granted. The Plaintiff is d irected to file her Amended Complaint within 7 days of the date of this order, and thereafter the Clerk is directed to remand the case to the Circuit Court of Randolph County, Alabama. It is further ORDERED that Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Pla intiff's Complaint (Doc. 4 ) is denied without prejudice subject to being renewed once the matter has been remanded to the Circuit Court for Randolph County. Signed by Honorable Judge David A. Baker on 12/4/2018. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Appeals Checklist)(dmn, )
Download PDF
<![CDATA[
Lipham v. Koch Farms of Ashland, LLC (CONSENT) Doc. 20 ,1 7+( 81,7(' 67$7(6 ',675,&7 &2857 0,''/( ',675,&7 2) $/$%$0$ ($67(51 ',9,6,21 -$1( /,3+$0 G E D -$1( /,3+$0 )$50 $1' /,77/( 0$1 )$50 3ODLQWLII Y .2&+ )$506 2) $6+/$1' //& et al 'HIHQGDQWV &DVH 1R FY '$% 0(025$1'80 23,1,21 $1' 25'(5 3ODLQWLII -DQH /LSKDP G E D -DQH /LSKDP )DUP DQG /LWWOH 0DQ )DUP VXHV 'HIHQGDQW .RFK )DUPV RI $VKODQG //& ³.RFK )DUPV´ DQG QXPHURXV ILFWLWLRXV 'HIHQGDQWV IRU GDPDJHV UHVXOWLQJ IURP WKH LQIHVWDWLRQ RI 3ODLQWLII¶V IDUP E\ EHG EXJV LQWURGXFHG WR WKH IDUP E\ 'HIHQGDQWV ,Q D VL[ FRXQW FRPSODLQW ILOHG LQ WKH &LUFXLW &RXUW RI 5DQGROSK &RXQW\ $ODEDPD 3ODLQWLII DOOHJHV FODLPV IRU EUHDFK RI FRQWUDFW IUDXG DQG QHJOLJHQFH 'RF 'HIHQGDQW .RFK )DUPV UHPRYHG WKH FDVH WR WKLV FRXUW 'RF 3HQGLQJ EHIRUH WKH FRXUW LV .RFK )DUPV¶ 0RWLRQ WR 'LVPLVV 3ODLQWLII¶V &RPSODLQW 'RF $OVR SHQGLQJ DUH 3ODLQWLII¶V 0RWLRQ IRU /HDYH WR $PHQG DQG &ODULI\ &RPSODLQW 'RF DQG 3ODLQWLII¶V 0RWLRQ WR 5HPDQG 'RF 7KH SDUWLHV KDYH KDG WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR IXOO\ EULHI WKH PRWLRQV DQG WKH FRXUW KHDUG DUJXPHQW RQ 6HSWHPEHU )RU WKH UHDVRQV WKDW IROORZ 3ODLQWLII¶V 0RWLRQ IRU /HDYH WR $PHQG DQG &ODULI\ &RPSODLQW 'RF LV JUDQWHG 'HIHQGDQW .RFK )DUP¶V 0RWLRQ WR 'LVPLVV 3ODLQWLII¶V &RPSODLQW 'RF LV GHQLHG ZLWKRXW SUHMXGLFH DQG 3ODLQWLII¶V 0RWLRQ WR 5HPDQG 'RF LV JUDQWHG Dockets.Justia.com , -XULVGLFWLRQ 7KLV PDWWHU ZDV UHPRYHG WR WKLV FRXUW SXUVXDQW WR 8 6 & D DQG 'RF 7KH MXULVGLFWLRQ RI WKH FRXUW LV LQYRNHG EDVHG XSRQ GLYHUVLW\ RI FLWL]HQVKLS DQG DQ DPRXQW LQ FRQWURYHUV\ LQ H[FHVV RI Id. 3ODLQWLII FRQWHVWV WKLV FRXUW¶V GLYHUVLW\ MXULVGLFWLRQ FRQWHQGLQJ GLYHUVLW\ GRHV QRW H[LVW DPRQJ WKH SDUWLHV EHFDXVH WKH LQGLYLGXDO 'HIHQGDQWV .HQQ\ *UHHQ ³*UHHQ´ 0LFKHOOH <DWHV 'DYLGVRQ ³'DYLGVRQ´ 7RPP\ 5XVKLQJ ³5XVKLQJ´ DQG 3DW )DJDQ ³)DJDQ´ ZKR ZHUH QDPHG LQ WKH FRPSODLQW EXW LQDGYHUWHQWO\ QRW LQFOXGHG LQ WKH FDVH FDSWLRQ DUH $ODEDPD FLWL]HQV DQG WKHUHIRUH QRQGLYHUVH ,, %DFNJURXQG DQG 6WDWHPHQW RI )DFWV 2Q -XQH 3ODLQWLII ILOHG D FLYLO FRPSODLQW LQ WKH &LUFXLW &RXUW RI 5DQGROSK &RXQW\ $ODEDPD 'RF 7KH FRPSODLQW VRXQGLQJ H[FOXVLYHO\ LQ VWDWH ODZ DOOHJHV FODLPV IRU EUHDFK RI FRQWUDFW IUDXG DQG QHJOLJHQFH DJDLQVW 'HIHQGDQW .RFK )DUPV RI $VKODQG //& Id. DW ± $GGLWLRQDOO\ 3ODLQWLII QDPHV ILFWLWLRXV SDUWLHV $ % & ' ( DQG ) LQFOXGLQJ ³WKH SHUVRQ ILUP RU FRUSRUDWLRQ ZKR SURYLGHG FKLFNHQ FDWFKLQJ VHUYLFHV DW 3ODLQWLII¶V IDUP ´ Id. DW 2Q -XO\ .RFK )DUPV UHPRYHG WKH FDVH WR WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV 'LVWULFW &RXUW IRU WKH 0LGGOH 'LVWULFW RI $ODEDPD DVVHUWLQJ GLYHUVLW\ MXULVGLFWLRQ SXUVXDQW WR 8 6 & 'RF ,Q KHU FRPSODLQW 3ODLQWLII DOOHJHV VKH KDV D SRXOWU\ IDUP ORFDWHG QHDU 5DQGROSK &RXQW\ $ODEDPD WKDW FRQVLVWV RI VL[ EUHHGHU KHQ KRXVHV ZKHUH VKH KDV JURZQ EUHHGHU KHQV DQG SURGXFHG HJJV IRU .RFK )DUPV 'RF ,Q ODWH RU HDUO\ 3ODLQWLII¶V FKLFNHQV ZHUH EHLQJ SLFNHG XS DQG FDXJKW E\ .RFK )DUPV DW ZKLFK WLPH FDJHV EURXJKW E\ .RFK )DUPV WKDW ZHUH LQIHVWHG ZLWK EHG EXJV ZHUH SODFHG LQ RQH RI 3ODLQWLII¶V FKLFNHQ KRXVHV Id. 3ODLQWLII 7KH VWDWHPHQW RI IDFWV LV WDNHQ IURP 3ODLQWLII¶V &RPSODLQW 'RF 7KH 1RWLFH RI 5HPRYDO H[SODLQV WKDW .RFK )RRGV RI $VKODQG //& LV D FLWL]HQ RI ,OOLQRLV DQG 'HODZDUH IRU UHPRYDO SXUSRVHV 'RF REVHUYHG WKH FDJHV EHLQJ SODFHG RQ WKH IORRU DQG EHG EXJV VSUHDGLQJ IURP WKH FDJH Id. 3ULRU WR WKH LQWURGXFWLRQ RI WKH EHG EXJV E\ .RFK )DUPV 3ODLQWLII GLG QRW KDYH DQ\ EHG EXJV ORFDWHG RQ KHU IDUP Id. 3ODLQWLII QRWLILHG KHU VHUYLFH UHSUHVHQWDWLYH )DJDQ ZKR VKRUWO\ WKHUHDIWHU ZDV UHSODFHG E\ 'DYLGVRQ Id. 'DYLGVRQ WRRN D VDPSOH RI WKH EHG EXJV DQG UHSUHVHQWHG WR 3ODLQWLII WKDW VKH ZDV WDNLQJ WKH EHG EXJV WR $XEXUQ 8QLYHUVLW\ IRU DQDO\VLV VR WKH\ FRXOG EH WUHDWHG DQG HUDGLFDWHG IURP 3ODLQWLII¶V IDUP Id. ,Q 1RYHPEHU 3ODLQWLII OHDUQHG WKDW 'DYLGVRQ QHYHU WRRN WKH EHG EXJV WR $XEXUQ 8QLYHUVLW\ Id. 7KH LQIHVWDWLRQ RI 3ODLQWLII¶V IDUP E\ WKH EHG EXJV FRQWLQXHG WR VSUHDG DQG JURZ Id. 3ODLQWLII¶V VHUYLFH UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV JDYH KHU FKHPLFDOV WR WUHDW WKH EHG EXJV DQG GLUHFWHG KHU KRZ WR XVH WKH FKHPLFDOV Id. 6LQFH WKH LQIHVWDWLRQ RI EHG EXJV EHJDQ RQ KHU IDUP 3ODLQWLII ZDV WROG E\ .RFK )DUPV )DJDQ 'DYLGVRQ *UHHQ DQG 5XVKLQJ WKDW .RFK )DUPV ZRXOG FRQWLQXH WR VXSSO\ KHU ZLWK EUHHGHU KHQV SURYLGHG VKH FRQWLQXHG WR XVH WKH FKHPLFDOV DV GLUHFWHG Id. 3ODLQWLII¶V FKLFNHQ KRXVHV KDYH DW DOO WLPHV EHHQ FODVVLILHG DV ³&ODVV $´ KRXVHV DQG VKH LQYHVWHG D VLJQLILFDQW DPRXQW RI PRQH\ WR XSGDWH WKHP WR PDLQWDLQ KHU ³&ODVV $´ VWDWXV DW WKH LQVLVWHQFH RI .RFK )DUPV Id. ± $IWHU .RFK )DUPV FRPSOHWHG WKH FDWFK RI 3ODLQWLII¶V EUHHGHU KHQV LQ 6HSWHPEHU 5XVKLQJ DQG *UHHQ FDPH WR 3ODLQWLII¶V IDUP WR GLVFXVV WKH EHG EXJ SUREOHP DQG DGYLVHG 3ODLQWLII DQG KHU KXVEDQG WKDW WKHUH ZDV QRWKLQJ IXUWKHU WKDW WKH\ FRXOG GR UHJDUGLQJ WKH LQIHVWDWLRQ Id. ± $OWKRXJK IROORZLQJ WKH PHHWLQJ *UHHQ WROG 3ODLQWLII WR JHW UHDG\ IRU WKHLU QHZ EDWFK RI FKLFNHQV 3ODLQWLII UHFHLYHG D OHWWHU IURP .RFK )DUPV LQ 2FWREHU VWDWLQJ QR QHZ FKLFNHQV ZLOO EH VHQW XQWLO WKH EHG EXJ LQIHVWDWLRQ LV HUDGLFDWHG DW 3ODLQWLII¶V H[SHQVH Id. ± 7KH IORFN WR IORFN EUHHGHU DJUHHPHQW EHWZHHQ 3ODLQWLII DQG .RFK )DUPV SURYLGHV WKDW .RFK )DUPV ZLOO VXSSO\ ³DOO IHHG PHGLFDWLRQ DQG VDQLWDWLRQ SURGXFWV QHFHVVDU\ WR UDLVH GHYHORS DQG PDLQWDLQ WKH EUHHGHU IORFN ´ Id. 7KH ODVW IORFN WR IORFN EUHHGHU FRQWUDFW HQWHUHG LQWR EHWZHHQ WKH SDUWLHV ZDV 1RYHPEHU ZLWK WKH SULRU DJUHHPHQWV FRQWDLQLQJ VLPLODU WHUPV Id. ± 3ODLQWLII DOOHJHV WKDW EHWZHHQ DQG KHU SURGXFWLRQ SD\ IURP .RFK )DUPV KDV GHFUHDVHG VLJQLILFDQWO\ GXH WR WKH EHG EXJ LQIHVWDWLRQ Id. 6LQFH EHLQJ GURSSHG E\ .RFK )DUP DV HJJ SURGXFHUV LQ 2FWREHU 3ODLQWLII KDV EHHQ XQDEOH WR FRQWUDFW ZLWK DQ\ RWKHU FKLFNHQ FRPSDQ\ GXH WR WKH EHG EXJ LQIHVWDWLRQ Id. 3ODLQWLII ILOHG VXLW LQ WKH &LUFXLW &RXUW RI 5DQGROSK &RXQW\ $ODEDPD DOOHJLQJ VWDWH ODZ FODLPV RI EUHDFK RI FRQWUDFW &RXQWV , ,, IUDXG &RXQWV ,,, ,9 9 DQG QHJOLJHQFH &RXQW 9, DJDLQVW 'HIHQGDQWV 'RF 7KH FRPSODLQW FDSWLRQ QDPHV DV 'HIHQGDQWV .RFK )DUPV DQG YDULRXV ILFWLWLRXV SHUVRQV RU HQWLWLHV see id. DW EXW WKH SUD\HUV IRU UHOLHI LQ &RXQWV ,,, DQG ,9 DOVR VHHN UHOLHI DJDLQVW WKH LQGLYLGXDOV )DJDQ *UHHQ 'DYLGVRQ DQG 5XVKLQJ see id. DW ± 3ODLQWLII¶V &RPSODLQW DOOHJHV *UHHQ 'DYLGVRQ DQG 5XVKLQJ DUH $ODEDPD UHVLGHQW FLWL]HQV Id. ± .RFK )DUPV PRYHV WR GLVPLVV WKH 3ODLQWLII¶V FRPSODLQW 'RF ,W DUJXHV WKDW KHU EUHDFK RI FRQWUDFW FODLPV DUH EDUUHG E\ $ODEDPD¶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ee 'RF IRU UHOLHI LQ PXOWLSOH FRXQWV 'RF :KHQ WKH FLWL]HQVKLS RI WKH LQGLYLGXDO 'HIHQGDQWV LV FRQVLGHUHG GLYHUVLW\ GRHV QRW H[LVW DQG WKHUHIRUH 3ODLQWLII DOVR PRYHV WR UHPDQG 'RF ,,, /HJDO 6WDQGDUG )HGHUDO 5XOH RI &LYLO 3URFHGXUH SURYLGHV WKDW D FRPSODLQW PXVW FRQWDLQ ³D VKRUW DQG SODLQ VWDWHPHQW RI WKH FODLP VKRZLQJ WKDW WKH SOHDGHU LV HQWLWOHG WR UHOLHI ´ )HG 5 &LY 3 D 7KH SOHDGHU PXVW DOOHJH ³HQRXJK IDFWV WR VWDWH D FODLP WR UHOLHI WKDW LV SODXVLEOH RQ LWV IDFH ´ Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly 8 6 ³>'@HWDLOHG IDFWXDO DOOHJDWLRQV´ DUH QRW UHTXLUHG EXW PHUH ³ODEHOV DQG FRQFOXVLRQV´ RU ³D IRUPXODLF UHFLWDWLRQ RI WKH HOHPHQWV RI D FDXVH RI DFWLRQ´ DUH QRW HQRXJK Ashcroft v. Iqbal 8 6 2Q D PRWLRQ WR GLVPLVV XQGHU )HGHUDO 5XOH RI &LYLO 3URFHGXUH E D FRXUW ³DFFHSW>V@ WKH DOOHJDWLRQV LQ WKH FRPSODLQW DV WUXH DQG FRQVWUX>HV@ WKHP LQ WKH OLJKW PRVW IDYRUDEOH WR WKH SODLQWLII ´ Hill v. White ) G WK &LU ,Q FRQVLGHULQJ D PRWLRQ WR GLVPLVV WKH FRXUW LV RUGLQDULO\ OLPLWHG WR HYDOXDWLRQ RI PDWWHUV DOOHJHG LQ WKH RSHUDWLYH FRPSODLQW ,Q DSSURSULDWH FDVHV WKH FRXUW PD\ DOVR WDNH LQWR DFFRXQW DGGLWLRQDO PDWWHUV SUHVHQWHG LQ VXSSRUW RI WKH PRWLRQ ZKHQ WKRVH PDWWHUV DUH LQWULQVLF WR WKH FODLPV DQG QRW UHDVRQDEO\ LQ GLVSXWH ,Q WKLV FDVH WKH DJUHHPHQW EHWZHHQ WKH SDUWLHV ZDV LQFOXGHG ZLWK WKH 0RWLRQ WR 'LVPLVV DQG LWV WHUPV DQG VWDWXV DV WKH EDVLV IRU WKH SDUWLHV¶ FRQWUDFW LV QRW GLVSXWHG ,W ZLOO WKHUHIRUH EH FRQVLGHUHG KHUHLQ ³,I DIWHU UHPRYDO WKH SODLQWLII VHHNV WR MRLQ DGGLWLRQDO GHIHQGDQWV ZKRVH MRLQGHU ZRXOG GHVWUR\ VXEMHFW PDWWHU MXULVGLFWLRQ WKH FRXUW PD\ GHQ\ MRLQGHU RU SHUPLW MRLQGHU DQG UHPDQG WKH DFWLRQ WR WKH 6WDWH FRXUW ´ 8 6 & H ³,I >WKH FRXUW@ SHUPLWV WKH DPHQGPHQW RI WKH QRQGLYHUVH GHIHQGDQW LW WKHQ PXVW UHPDQG WR WKH VWDWH FRXUW ´ Hensgens v. Deere & Co ) G WK &LU ³7KRXJK Hensgens ZDV GHFLGHG EHIRUH WKH HQDFWPHQW RI H LWV DQDO\WLFDO IUDPHZRUN KDV EHHQ ZLGHO\ DGRSWHG DV WKH SURSHU PHWKRG IRU GHWHUPLQLQJ ZKHWKHU WR SHUPLW MRLQGHU ZKHUH H FRQWUROV ´ D.N. ex rel. Epps ,9 $QDO\VLV 3ODLQWLII VHHNV WR DPHQG DQG FODULI\ KHU FRPSODLQW E\ DGGLQJ WKH QDPHV RI WKH LQGLYLGXDO 'HIHQGDQWV WR WKH FDVH FDSWLRQ 'RF &RXUWV JHQHUDOO\ ³VKRXOG IUHHO\ JLYH OHDYH >WR DPHQG@ ZKHQ MXVWLFH VR UHTXLUHV ´ )HG 5 &LY 3 D +RZHYHU ³>L@I DIWHU UHPRYDO WKH SODLQWLII VHHNV WR MRLQ DGGLWLRQDO GHIHQGDQWV ZKRVH MRLQGHU ZRXOG GHVWUR\ VXEMHFW PDWWHU MXULVGLFWLRQ WKH FRXUW PD\ GHQ\ MRLQGHU RU SHUPLW MRLQGHU DQG UHPDQG WKH DFWLRQ WR WKH 6WDWH FRXUW ´ 8 6 & H ³7KXV WKH GHFLVLRQ WR JUDQW RU GHQ\ D SRVW UHPRYDO PRWLRQ WR DPHQG D FRPSODLQW ZKLFK ZRXOG GHVWUR\ WKH VXEMHFW PDWWHU MXULVGLFWLRQ RI WKH IHGHUDO FRXUW LV GLVFUHWLRQDU\ ´ Worley v. Pfizer, Inc , ) 6XSS G 0 ' $OD 7KLV GLVFUHWLRQ PXVW EH WHPSHUHG KRZHYHU ZLWK WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW¶V FORVH VFUXWLQ\ RI WKH SURSRVHG DPHQGPHQW Hensgens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ensgens DQG XUJHV WKLV FRXUW JUDQW KHU OHDYH WR DPHQG 'RF DW ± ,Q EDODQFLQJ D GHIHQGDQW¶V GHVLUH WR PDLQWDLQ WKH IHGHUDO IRUXP ZLWK WKH FRPSHWLQJ LQWHUHVWV RI QRW KDYLQJ SDUDOOHO ODZVXLWV WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW VKRXOG FRQVLGHU ³WKH H[WHQW WR ZKLFK WKH SXUSRVH v. Dreamland Amusements, Inc 1R &9 :/ DW Q 6 ' *D $SU UHSRUW DQG UHFRPPHQGDWLRQ DGRSWHG 1R &9 :/ 6 ' *D -XQH see also Small v. Ford Motor Co ) 6XSS G 6 ' )OD ³$OWKRXJK Hensgens ZDV GHFLGHG EHIRUH WKH HQDFWPHQW RI H WKH IDFWRUV RXWOLQHG WKHUHLQ FRQWLQXH WR JXLGH GLVWULFW FRXUWV LQ GHFLGLQJ ZKHWKHU WR SHUPLW RU GHQ\ MRLQGHU LQ UHPRYDO FDVHV ´ RI WKH DPHQGPHQW LV WR GHIHDW IHGHUDO MXULVGLFWLRQ ZKHWKHU SODLQWLII KDV EHHQ GLODWRU\ LQ DVNLQJ IRU DPHQGPHQW ZKHWKHU SODLQWLII ZLOO EH VLJQLILFDQWO\ LQMXUHG LI DPHQGPHQW LV QRW DOORZHG DQG DQ\ RWKHU IDFWRUV EHDULQJ RQ WKH HTXLWLHV ´ Hensgens ) G DW +HUH DSSOLFDWLRQ RI WKHVH FRQVLGHUDWLRQV NQRZQ DV WKH Hensgens IDFWRUV ZHLJKV LQ IDYRU RI DOORZLQJ WKH DPHQGPHQW :KLOH 'HIHQGDQW DUJXHV WKDW WKH VROH SXUSRVH RI WKH DPHQGPHQW LV WR GHIHDW GLYHUVLW\ D UHYLHZ RI 3ODLQWLII¶V FRPSODLQW UHYHDOV DQ LQLWLDO LQWHQW WR VXH WKH LQGLYLGXDO 'HIHQGDQWV ,Q KHU FRPSODLQW 3ODLQWLII VSHFLILFDOO\ DOOHJHV WKH $ODEDPD FLWL]HQVKLS RI DW OHDVW WKUHH RI WKH LQGLYLGXDOV DQG VHHNV UHOLHI IURP WKHP LQ &RXQWV ,,, DQG ,9 5HJDUGLQJ WKH VHFRQG Hensgens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¶V FLWL]HQVKLS LW GRHV OHQG VXSSRUW WR 3ODLQWLII¶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³DQ\ RWKHU IDFWRUV EHDULQJ RQ WKH HTXLWLHV ´ Hensgens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¶V FODLPV UHODWLQJ WR WKH EHG EXJ LQIHVWDWLRQ LQ D VLQJOH ODZVXLW 'XSOLFDWLYH OLWLJDWLRQ DULVLQJ IURP WKH VDPH VHW RI FLUFXPVWDQFHV DQG LQYROYLQJ VLPLODU SDUWLHV PXVW EH ZHLJKHG LQ WKH EDODQFH RI HTXLWLHV See id. D GHIHQGDQW¶V LQWHUHVW LQ D IHGHUDO IRUXP PXVW EH ZHLJKHG DJDLQVW ³WKH GDQJHU RI SDUDOOHO IHGHUDO VWDWH SURFHHGLQJV ZLWK WKH LQKHUHQW GDQJHUV RI LQFRQVLVWHQW UHVXOWV DQG WKH ZDVWH RI MXGLFLDO UHVRXUFHV´ :KLOH WKH EDODQFH RI WKH HTXLWLHV VKRXOG LQFOXGH FRQVLGHUDWLRQ RI D GLYHUVH GHIHQGDQW¶V ULJKW WR FKRRVH D IHGHUDO IRUXP WKH FRXUW REVHUYHV WKDW 3ODLQWLII LQLWLDWHG WKLV FDVH LQ VWDWH FRXUW DQG LQWHQGHG IURP WKH RXWVHW WR VXH WKH QRQ GLYHUVH LQGLYLGXDOV )RU WKHVH UHDVRQV WKH FRXUW ILQGV EDVHG RQ WKH EDODQFH RI HTXLWLHV WKDW 3ODLQWLII V SURSRVHG DPHQGPHQW VKRXOG EH SHUPLWWHG $OORZLQJ DPHQGPHQW RI WKH &RPSODLQW WR VSHFLILFDOO\ LQFOXGH WKH QRQ GLYHUVH LQGLYLGXDO 'HIHQGDQWV ZRXOG GLYHVW WKLV FRXUW RI VXEMHFW PDWWHU MXULVGLFWLRQ DQG UHPDQG ZRXOG EH UHTXLUHG See Hensgens ) G DW ³,I >WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW@ SHUPLWV WKH DPHQGPHQW RI WKH QRQGLYHUVH GHIHQGDQW LW WKHQ PXVW UHPDQG WR WKH VWDWH FRXUW ´ 9 &21&/86,21 $1' 25'(5 )RU WKH UHDVRQV VWDWHG LW LV KHUHE\ 25'(5(' WKDW 3ODLQWLII¶V 0RWLRQ IRU /HDYH WR $PHQG DQG &ODULI\ &RPSODLQW 'RF LV JUDQWHG ,W LV IXUWKHU 25'(5(' WKDW 3ODLQWLII¶V 0RWLRQ WR 5HPDQG 'RF LV JUDQWHG 7KH 3ODLQWLII LV GLUHFWHG WR ILOH KHU $PHQGHG &RPSODLQW ZLWKLQ GD\V RI WKH GDWH RI WKLV RUGHU DQG WKHUHDIWHU WKH &OHUN LV GLUHFWHG WR UHPDQG WKH FDVH WR WKH &LUFXLW &RXUW IRU 5DQGROSK &RXQW\ $ODEDPD ,W LV IXUWKHU 25'(5(' WKDW 'HIHQGDQW¶V 0RWLRQ WR 'LVPLVV 3ODLQWLII¶V &RPSODLQW 'RF LV GHQLHG ZLWKRXW SUHMXGLFH VXEMHFW WR EHLQJ UHQHZHG RQFH WKH PDWWHU KDV EHHQ UHPDQGHG WR WKH &LUFXLW &RXUW IRU 5DQGROSK &RXQW\ '21( DQG 25'(5(' WKLV WK GD\ RI 'HFHPEHU P -:-1 u_. I-c, BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB '$9,' $ %$.(5 81,7(' 67$7(6 0$*,675$7( -8'*(
]]>
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You
should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
