Cherrelle Roberts v. Whittier Health Pharmacy, et al.

Summary

The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted Cherrelle Roberts leave to proceed in forma pauperis but denied her motions for discovery, search and discovery, and electronic filing without prejudice. The court found that the complaint failed to establish a sufficient factual or jurisdictional basis for relief and allowed Roberts until March 10, 2026, to file an amended complaint curing the deficiencies.

Holdings

1. Roberts was permitted to proceed in forma pauperis because the court determined that she lacked income or assets to pay the filing fee.
2. The complaint was subject to dismissal under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e) because it lacked a sufficient factual basis, failed to state a plausible claim for relief, and did not identify the legal basis for the asserted claims.
3. The complaint did not establish federal-question subject-matter jurisdiction.
4. The court lacked diversity jurisdiction because the parties were located in Massachusetts and the amount in controversy did not exceed $75,000.
5. Roberts was allowed to file an amended complaint by March 10, 2026, to cure the pleading and jurisdictional deficiencies.
6. The court would not consider Roberts's state-law claims because it lacked an independent basis for subject-matter jurisdiction.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Roberts qualified to proceed in forma pauperis.
2. Whether the complaint stated a plausible claim for relief and complied with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
3. Whether the complaint established federal-question subject-matter jurisdiction.
4. Whether diversity jurisdiction existed over Roberts's personal-injury claim.
5. Whether Roberts should be allowed to amend the complaint to cure its pleading deficiencies.
6. Whether the motions for discovery, search and discovery, and leave to file electronically should be granted.

Disposition

other