Maria Jongebloed Holden v. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Filing
47
ORDER & REASONS granting 40 Motion to Substitute Party. Robert J Haylock added. Maria Jongebloed Holden terminated; denying 41 Motion to Dismiss. Signed by Judge Helen G. Berrigan on 07/30/2012. (kac, )
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
MARIA JONGEBLOED HOLDEN
CIVIL ACTION
VERSUS
NO. 11‐1098
NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS
SECTION ʺCʺ (3)
CORPORATION
ORDER AND REASONS
This matter comes before the Court on motion for substitution of plaintiff and
motion to dismiss filed by the defendant, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
Having considered the record, the memoranda of counsel and the law, the Court has
determined that substitution should be allowed for the following reasons.
The plaintiff, Maria Jongebloed Holden, died on March 4, 2012. The record
reflects that the first suggestion of the death of was made on April 16, 2012, in a joint
motion to continue telephonic scheduling conference. Rec. Doc. 36. Notice of
suggestion of death pursuant to Rule 25 was filed on May 30, 2012, the day before the
reset scheduling conference. Rec. Docs. 37, 38. That conference was canceled and the
Court issued an order that any motion to substitute be filed by July 2, 2012. Rec. Doc.
39. Both the plaintiff’s motion for substitution and the defendant’s motion to dismiss
were filed on July 3, 2012. Rec. Docs. 40, 41.
Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(a), “[i]f a party dies and the claim is not extinguished,
the court may order substitution of the proper party ... If the motion [to substitute] is
not made within 90 days after service of a statement noting the death, the action by or
against the decedent must be dismissed.” Although the motion for substitution was
filed one day beyond the Court‐imposed deadline, there is no dispute that it was filed
well within the 90 day period set forth in Rule 25(a), regardless of whether the Court
considers as the triggering event either the April 2012 joint motion to continue
telephonic scheduling conference or the May 2012 suggestion of death. In addition, no
prejudice to the defendant can be shown.
Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED that the motion for substitution of plaintiff is GRANTED. Rec.
Doc. 40.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the motion to dismiss filed by Novartis
Pharmaceuticals Corporation is DENIED. Rec. Doc 41.
New Orleans, Louisiana, this 30th day of July, 2012.
____________________________________
HELEN G. BERRIGAN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
2
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