Terrence Williams v. Walmart Inc.

Summary

The United States District Court for the District of Maryland denied Terrence Williams’s motion to remand his state-court action against Walmart to state court. The court held that removal was timely and that complete diversity and the amount-in-controversy requirement supported federal jurisdiction, and it also granted Walmart’s unopposed motion to seal protected health information.

Holdings

1. The court had diversity jurisdiction because the amount in controversy exceeded $75,000 and complete diversity existed between Williams, a Maryland citizen, and the relevant Walmart entities, which were citizens of Delaware and Arkansas.
2. Removal was timely because Walmart removed the action within 30 days after Williams first sought damages exceeding $75,000 in his amended complaint.
3. The alleged faulty service, filing issues, and affiliate disclosures did not invalidate an otherwise proper removal.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the federal court had diversity subject-matter jurisdiction over the removed action based on complete diversity and an amount in controversy exceeding $75,000.
2. Whether Walmart's removal was timely under the applicable 30-day removal period.
3. Whether alleged defects in service, filing, or disclosure of affiliate information invalidated the removal.

Disposition

other