Alonzia v. Target Corporation

Background

Plaintiff Raven Alonzia, through counsel, filed a letter stating that she agreed to withdraw her claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress and limit total damages to $75,000 or less. The letter argued that the damages limit meant the federal court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction—the court’s legal power to hear the case—and requested remand to the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County. It also requested that the upcoming initial case-management conference be postponed while the remand request was considered.

Arguments in the Letter

The letter argued that the damages limit was a binding representation and that the federal court therefore no longer had jurisdiction. It cited decisions concerning plaintiffs’ ability to avoid or eliminate federal jurisdiction by limiting the amount sought. The opinion text does not state that Target Corporation filed a response or take a position on the requested remand.

Ruling

The order states: “Application GRANTED, to the extent that the initial case management conference previously scheduled for October 25, 2023, is ADJOURNED sine die.” “Sine die” means without setting a new date. The text does not state that the court granted or denied the request to remand the case to state court. Judge Barbara Moses signed the order as a United States Magistrate Judge on October 16, 2023.