In the Matter of: Marquette Transportation Company, LLC, No. 2:2015cv02316 - Document 82 (E.D. La. 2016)

Court Description: ORDER AND REASONS that Kostmayer's to Dismiss, R. 68, filed in In the Matter of: Marquette Transportation Company, Case No. 15-2316, is DENIED. FURTHER ORDERED that Kostmayer's Motion to Dismiss, R. 48, filed in Kostmayer Construction, LLC v. Marquette Transporation Company, LLC, Case No. 15-1395, is GRANTED IN PART. The motion is GRANTED insofar as Kostmayer seeks the dismissal of Marquettes Third-Party-Demand as to CEMUS, LLC and 234 Terminal. Marquette requested leave to amend its R ule 13(c) Third-Party Demand in the event the Motion to Dismiss was granted. The Court finds this appropriate, and grants Marquette thirty days to amend its Third Party Demand. If not timely amended, the Third Party Demand shall be dismissed. Kostmayer's motion is otherwise DENIED. Signed by Judge Eldon E. Fallon on 8/15/2016. (cms)

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In the Matter of: Marquette Transportation Company, LLC Doc. 82 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA KOSTMAYER CONSTRUCTION, LLC V. MARQUETTE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY CIVIL ACTIONS AND NO. 15-1395; NO. 15-2316 IN THE MATTER OF: MARQUETTE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY SECTION "L" (1) ORDER & REASONS Before the Court are two motions to dismiss filed by Kostmayer. The first Motion to Dismiss, R. 48, was filed in Kostmayer Construction, LLC v. Marquette Transporation Company, LLC, Case No. 15-1395. The second Motion to Dismiss, R. 68, was filed in In the Matter of: Marquette Transportation Company, Case. No. 15-2316. These cases have been consolidated for discovery purposes, and the Court finds it appropriate to address the present pretrial motions in the same Order & Reasons, as the motions present the same legal questions. Having reviewed the parties’ briefs and the applicable law, the Court now issues this Order & Reasons. I. BACKGROUND Kostmayer v. Marquette, Case No. 15-1395, arises out of damages allegedly sustained by Plaintiff Kostmayer on September 22, 2014, when the M/V Blake Denton, operated by Defendant Marquette Transportation Company struck the Barge CP-12, chartered to Plaintiff Kostmayer, and pushed the CP-12 into Barge OU-701, also owned by Kostmayer. Plaintiff invokes the Court’s jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1332 and 1333. Both of the Plaintiff’s barges were tied to a dock in the Mississippi River in East Baton Rouge Parish when Barge CP12 was struck by the M/V Blake Denton, which was traveling southbound with approximately thirty-five barges in tow. Barge CP-12 was pushed into Barge OU-701, and both barges were Dockets.Justia.com detached from the dock and floated freely downriver until a tow boat pushed them to the east bank Plaintiff alleges that the barges sustained substantial damages as a result of the impact and required extensive repairs. Plaintiff asserts multiple negligence theories based on the actions of the captain and crew manning the Defendant’s vessel: (1) inattentiveness to their duties, (2) failing to see what they should have seen, (3) failing to maintain control of the towed barges, and (4) any other acts of negligence. Plaintiff seeks to recover property damages, including the cost of repairs, loss of use, and loss of profits. The Court has consolidated Interested Underwriters at Lloyd's, London v. Marquette, Case No. 15-5170, and CEMUS, LLC et al v. Marquette Transportation Company, LLC, Case No. 15-4571, with Kostmayer v. Marquette, Case No. 15-1395, for all purposes as they arise out of the same incident. A separate and unrelated accident between Kostmayer and Marquette occurred on December 29, 2014. Marquette filed a limitation action, In re: Marquette, Case No. 15-2316, regarding the allision. The limitation action concerns a separate Marquette vessel, the M/V Myra Eckstein, striking the aforementioned dock. In re: Marquette has been consolidated with Kostmayer v. Marquette for discovery purposes. II. Present Motions On July 11, 2016, Kostmayer filed a Motion to Dismiss and/or Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, R. 48, in Kostmayer, Case No. 15-1395. On that same day, Kostmayer filed a Motion to Dismiss, R. 68, in In re Marquette, Case No. 15-2316. Both motions asserted that 2 Marquette’s Rule 14(c) Third Party Demands against Kostmayer are procedurally improper. R. 48. A. Kostmayer’s Motion to Dismiss Third-Party-Demand in Kostmayer v. Marquette, Case No. 15-1395 Kostmayer asserts that a defendant may only invoke Rule 14(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure when the plaintiff has either asserted a claim which has been specifically identified in the Complaint as one in admiralty pursuant to Rule 9(h), or if it is apparent from a reading of the complaint that admiralty jurisdiction is the only basis for federal subject matter jurisdiction. R. 48-1 at 3. Kostmayer contends that a reference to the Jones Act or general maritime law is insufficient to serve as an explicit 9(h) designation. R. 48-1 at 3. Kostmayer then turns to the allegedly improper Third Party Demands stemming from the Complaints in CEMUS, LLC, et al., Case No. 15-4571, and Lloyd’s, London, Case No. 15-5170. R. 48-1 at 3. Kostmayer points out that neither of these Complaints included a Rule 9(h) designation. R. 48-1 at 3. The CEMUS Complaint asserts federal subject matter jurisdiction. R. 48-1 at 4. The Lloyd’s Complaint was filed in state court so it does not contain a specific jurisdictional amount, but Marquette’s Notice of Removal acknowledges that the state court action was removed based on both federal question jurisdiction and diversity jurisdiction. R. 481 at 4. With the preceding in mind, Kostmayer contends that Marquette’s Rule 14(c) Third Party Demands were inappropriate, because Rule 9(h) was not explicitly referenced and admiralty jurisdiction was not the sole asserted basis for federal subject matter jurisdiction in these claims. R. 48-1 at 4. 3 B. Marquette’s Opposition Marquette opposes the motion. Marquette contends that the 14(c) designations were proper, because Marquette asserted admiralty jurisdiction as a basis for removal, and that the respective Rule 14(c) tenders in both cases incorporate Rule 9(h) in the manner typical of an admiralty case. R. 52 at 3–4. Marquette notes that Kostmayer’s action was filed in state court, so there was no basis for to designate the initial Complaint under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9(h). Marquette also notes that Rule 9(h) provides that a claim that is only cognizable in admiralty jurisdiction is considered an admiralty claim, even if the claim is not explicitly designated as one in admiralty. R. 52 at 11. In the alternative, Marquette argues that dismissal is not proper because Marquette may plead an alternative third party demand under Rule 14(a). R. 52 at 12. As a maritime party, Marquette could be liable to Interested Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London (“Lloyd’s”) or CEMUS for more than its percentage of fault. R. 52 at 12. Marquette avers that is entitled to pursue indemnity and contribution from Kostmayer on this ground. R. 52 at 12. Marquette therefore asserts that Marquette should be given an opportunity to amend its Third Party Demand to assert a claim under Rule 14(a) as opposed to being dismissed. Marquette also takes the position that CEMUS has an interest in maintaining its direct claims against Kostmayer, so the Court should grant CEMUS an opportunity to respond. C. Kostmayer’s Reply Kostmayer timely replies. R. 57. Kostmayer reiterates its argument that Rule 14(c) may only be invoked where a plaintiff asserts a claim specifically identified as one in admiralty pursuant to Rule 9(h), or where it is apparent from a reading of the complaint that admiralty 4 jurisdiction is the only basis for federal subject matter jurisdiction over the action. R. 57 at 2. Kostmayer notes that neither CEMUS nor Lloyd’s made an explicit Rule 9(h) designation in their pleadings. R. 57 at 2. Kostmayer also points out that CEMUS’s Complaint asserts diversity jurisdiction, and that the Lloyd’s action was removed in part based on diversity jurisdiction. Kostmayer concludes that the terms of Rule 14(c) are inapplicable based on the preceding. D. Kostmayer’s Motion to Dismiss Third Party Demand in In re Marquette, Case No. 15-2316 Kostmayer contends that Marquette’s Rule 14(c) Third Party Demands tendering the claims asserted by Joseph and Jennifer Solomon, Michael Bankston, James Ainsworth, CEMUS, LLC, 234 Terminal Corp., and Lloyd’s should be dismissed, because the cited parties’ claims do not give rise to a procedurally proper Rule 14(c) Third Party Demand. Kostmayer takes the position that only Ameri-Force Craft Services, Inc., and Signal Mutual Indemnity Association, Ltd. properly asserted cognizable admiralty or maritime claims under Rule 9(h), so the 14(c) Third Party Demands stemming from the preceding claimants’ actions must be dismissed. Kostmayer contends that a Rule 14(c) Third Party Demand is only proper where the claim giving rise to the Third Party Demand either made an explicit Rule 9(h) designation, or if admiralty jurisdiction is the only basis for federal subject matter jurisdiction over the claim. R. 68-1 at 3. Kostmayer direct the Court to the limitation plaintiffs’ pleadings, and avers that only 5 Ameri-Force and Signal Mutual made a 9(h) designation or asserted claims which are only cognizable under admiralty jurisdiction. R. 68-1 at 3–4. E. Marquette’s Opposition Marquette opposes the motion, arguing that admiralty jurisdiction was asserted in all claims and that Rule 14(c) and Rule 9 are specifically asserted in the Third Party Demands tendering Kostmayer to the limitation claimants. R. 72 at 1. Marquette notes that Marquette’s Complaint contends that the sole basis of jurisdiction is admiralty, and Marquette identified Rule 9(h) in the Complaint. F. Kostmayer’s Reply Kostmayer timely replies. R. 78. Kostmayer asserts that Marquette’s arguments do not address the procedural requirements of Rule 14(c). According to Kostmayer, Marquette’s ThirdParty-Demands are only procedurally viable where a claimant asserted a claim designated as one in admiralty pursuant to Rule 9(h), or it is apparent from a reading of the complaint that admiralty jurisdiction is the only basis for federal subject matter jurisdiction over the claim. R. 78 at 2. Kostmayer therefore avers that Marquette’s arguments regarding Rule 9(h) designations in Marquette’s Limitation Complaint and Third-Party-Demands are irrelevant. R. 78 at 2–3. III. DISCUSSION A. Applicable Law The motions at issue hinge on the interpretation of Rule 14(c)(1) and Rule 9(h) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Rule 14(c)(1) provides that: When a plaintiff asserts an admiralty or maritime claim within the meaning of Rule 9(h), the defendant or person who asserts a right under Supplemental Rule C(6)(b)(i), as a third-party plaintiff, may bring in a third-party defendant who may be wholly or partly liable, either to the plaintiff or to the third-party plaintiff, 6 by way of remedy over, contribution, or otherwise on account of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences. Fed. R. Civ. P. 14(c)(1). Rule 14(c)(1) in turn refers to Rule 9(h), which provides that: If a claim for relief is within the admiralty or maritime jurisdiction and also within the court’s subject-matter jurisdiction on some other ground, the pleading may designate the claim as an admiralty or maritime claim for purposes of Rules 14(c), 38(e), and 82 and the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture Actions. A claim cognizable only in the admiralty or maritime jurisdiction is an admiralty or maritime claim for those purposes, whether or not so designated. Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(h)(1). B. Analysis Beginning with In re Marquette, in order to determine whether Rule 14(c) was properly invoked in a Third Party Demand, the Court must examine the claims of the parties being tendered by the Rule 14(c) Third-Party-Demand. The Court therefore turns to the respective Answers and Claims filed by Joseph and Jennifer Solomon, Michael Bankston, James Ainsworth, CEMUS, LLC, 234 Terminal Corp., and Interested Underwriters at Lloyd’s. R. 4, 7, 8, 15, 19. Upon review of the preceding Answers and Claims, the Court finds each of the aforementioned limitation claimants properly identify their claims as claims in admiralty pursuant to Rule 9(h). Kostmayer cites Tipton v. General Marine Catering Co., 1919 WL 13554, at *2 (E.D. La. 1989), for the proposition that a claimant cannot make a Rule 9(h) designation merely by stating a claim under the Jones Act or the general maritime law. But the Fifth Circuit construes Rule 9(h) classifications more broadly than was held by the Tipton court. The present legal question has its roots in T.N.T. Marine Service, Inc. v. Weaver Shipyards & 7 Dry Docks, Inc., 702 F.2d 585 (5th Cir. 1983), which was recently reaffirmed in Luera v. M/V Alberta, 635 F.3d 181 (5th Cir. 2011). The Luera court found that Although Rule 9(h) appears to require an affirmative statement from the plaintiff to invoke the admiralty rules for claims cognizable under admiralty and some other basis of jurisdiction, we have held that the mere assertion of admiralty jurisdiction as a dual or an alternate basis of subject matter jurisdiction for a claim is sufficient to make a Rule 9(h) election to proceed in admiralty for that claim. T.N.T. Marine, 702 F.2d at 58788. . . . We held [in T.N.T. Marine] that by the “simple statement asserting admiralty or maritime claims” the plaintiff had elected to proceed under admiralty jurisdiction and procedures even without an explicit reference to Rule 9(h). Id. Luera, 635 F.3d 188–89. Therefore, a plaintiff or claimant who makes a “simple statement asserting admiralty or maritime claims” properly asserts a Rule 9(h) designation, and may be subject to a Rule 14(c) Third Party Demand. T.N.T. Marine, 702 F.2d at 578–88. The Answers and Claims filed by Joseph and Jennifer Solomon, Michael Bankston, and James Ainsworth each assert claims arising under admiralty and maritime law. See R. 4 at 6; R. 7 at 5; R. 8 at 5. Therefore, Marquette’s Rule 14(c) Third Party Demands were proper as to these claims. The joint Answer and Claims of CEMUS, LLC and 234 Terminal Corp. does not reference general maritime law or assert a basis for jurisdiction. R. 15. Lloyd’s smilarly fails to reference the general maritime law or assert a basis for jurisdiction. R. 19. Kostmayer concedes in its Motion to Dismiss that the Court has multiple bases of subject matter jurisdiction over the Answers and Claims at issue. R. 68-1 at 2. “When a party’s claim is governed by multiple bases for jurisdiction and it is not clear whether the party made a Rule 9(h) designation, . . . we examine the totality of the circumstances, as demonstrated by the party’s pleadings and actions, to determine whether a Rule 9(h) declaration has been made.” Apache Corp. v. Global Santa Fe Drilling Co., 435 Fed. Appx. 322, 325 (5th Cir. 2011) (citing Bodden v. Osgood, 879 F.2d 184, 8 186 (5th Cir. 1989). Upon weighing the totality of the circumstances, the Court finds that Lloyd’s, CEMUS, and 234 Terminal implicitly made Rule 9(h) designations. The claimants each filed an Answer and Claims in a limitation action regarding a vessel allision with a dock. R. 15 at 4–7. Each Answer and Claims asserts theories of liability such as negligent towage, violations of the standards of good seamanship, failure to follow navigation standards of the Mississippi River, and unseaworthiness. R. 15 at 6–7. The claims will not be tried by jury. As such, the claims were sufficiently maritime to implicitly carry a Rule 9(h) designation, and Marquette’s subsequent Rule 14(c) Third Party Demand was appropriate. Kostmayer’s Motion to Dismiss, R. 48, in Kostmayer, Case No. 15-1395, fails for similar reasons regarding the Third Party Demand as to Lloyd’s. The state court petition filed in Lloyd’s, Case No. 15-5170, is virtually identical to the Answer and Claims asserted by Lloyd’s in Marquette, Case No 15-2316. Therefore, as analyzed supra, Lloyd’s implicitly made a Rule 9(h) designation in its Complaint. However, diversity jurisdiction is the sole asserted basis for subject matter jurisdiction in the Complaint in CEMUS, Case No. 15-4571. The Fifth Circuit has held that “[i]f a claim is pleaded under diversity jurisdiction, the rules of civil procedure will apply, and the parties will be guaranteed, under the Seventh Amendment, a right to have the claim tried by a jury.” Luera, 635 F.3d at 188. The Court may presume a Rule 9(h) designation when a party pleads multiple bases for jurisdiction, or where it is unclear from the substance of the claim whether admiralty jurisdiction is asserted. See Apache, 435 Fed. Appx. 322, 325. The Court may also find a Rule 9(h) designation where a party pleads a claim that solely arises under maritime jurisdiction. Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(h). But where, as here, a party solely asserts diversity jurisdiction and the claims arise under multiple jurisdictional premises, the Court may not weigh the “totality of the 9 circumstances” to find a Rule 9(h) designation. See Apache, 435 Fed. Appx. 322, 325. CEMUS and 234 Terminal chose to bring their claims solely pursuant to this Court’s diversity jurisdiction. The Court may not disregard this choice and designate CEMUS and 234 Terminal’s claims as claims in admiralty. IV. CONCLUSION IT IS ORDERED that Kostmayer’s Motion to Dismiss, R. 68, filed in In the Matter of: Marquette Transportation Company, Case No. 15-2316, is DENIED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Kostmayer’s Motion to Dismiss, R. 48, filed in Kostmayer Construction, LLC v. Marquette Transporation Company, LLC, Case No. 15-1395, is GRANTED IN PART. The motion is GRANTED insofar as Kostmayer seeks the dismissal of Marquette’s Third-Party-Demand as to CEMUS, LLC and 234 Terminal. Marquette requested leave to amend its Rule 13(c) Third-Party Demand in the event the Motion to Dismiss was granted. The Court finds this appropriate, and grants Marquette thirty days to amend its Third Party Demand. If not timely amended, the Third Party Demand shall be dismissed. Kostmayer’s motion is otherwise DENIED. New Orleans, Louisiana, this 15th day of August, 2016. ________________________________ UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 10

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