Cardoza et al v. Bloomin' Brands, Inc. et al
Filing
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ORDER Denying without prejudice 103 Plaintiffs' Motion to Equitably Toll the Statute of Limitations. Signed by Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey on 7/28/2014. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - EDS)
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
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DISTRICT OF NEVADA
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Brooke Cardoza et al.,
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Plaintiffs
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v.
Bloomin’ Brands, Inc., et al.,
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Case No.2:13-cv-01820-JAD-NJK
Order Denying Motion to Equitably
Toll Statute of Limitations [Doc. 103]
Defendants
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This case arises out of alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) and state
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laws for failure to pay minimum wage and overtime pay. Plaintiffs allege that defendants paid no
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wages for unlawfully- required off-the-clock work, did not pay employees for overtime work, and
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did not pay minimum required wages to many thousands of minimum-wage employees. They bring
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a collective action under the FLSA and class action claims under various state laws.
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Plaintiffs move to equitably toll the statute of limitations under the FLSA for all named and
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potential opt-in plaintiffs who join this litigation.1 Defendants oppose the motion arguing that
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Plaintiffs essentially “seek a tolling order to prevent future, hypothetical harm to non-parties” and
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that the motion is “unfounded, premature, and tantamount to an advisory opinion.”2 I find the
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motion appropriate for disposition without oral argument under Local Rule 78-2 and deny it without
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prejudice.
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Doc. 103.
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Doc. 107.
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Discussion
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The Ninth Circuit has recognized the doctrine of equitable tolling of an FLSA claim.3
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Equitable tolling “applies when the plaintiff is prevented from asserting a claim by wrongful conduct
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on the part of the defendant, or when extraordinary circumstances beyond the plaintiff’s control
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made it impossible to file a claim on time.”4 The doctrine applies only in “rare and exceptional
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circumstances”5 and should be applied sparingly.6
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Plaintiffs’ request is premature. They have not identified any person who was prevented
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from asserting a claim because of defendants’ wrongful conduct or any extraordinary circumstances
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beyond any person’s control that made it impossible to file a claim timely. As plaintiffs have not
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demonstrated that any grant—let alone a broad grant—of equitable tolling is warranted at this time,
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plaintiffs’ motion is denied as premature and without prejudice.
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Conclusion
Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiffs’ Motion to Equitably Toll the Statute of
Limitations [Doc. 103] is DENIED without prejudice.
DATED July 28, 2014.
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_________________________________
_____________________
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Jennifer A. Dorsey
Jennifer A. Dorsey
n
e
United States District Judge
ed States District Jud
d
trict
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Partlow v. Lewis Orphans’ Home, Inc., 645 F.2d 757, 760 (9th Cir. 1981), abrogated on other
grounds by Hoffman–La Roche Inc. v. Sperling, 493 U.S. 165 (1989).
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Stoll v. Runyon, 165 F.3d 1238, 1242 (9th Cir. 1999).
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Teemac v. Henderson, 298 F.3d 452, 457 (5th Cir. 2002).
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Steed v. Head, 219 F.3d 1298, 1300 (11th Cir. 2000).
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