American Health Underwriters Inc et al v. Golden Rule Insurance Company

Filing 64

ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS for 57 Report and Recommendations and GRANTING 38 Motion to Dismiss and ORDERING action is DISMISSED. Signed by Judge Michael H. Schneider on 8/31/2012. (sm, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
TEXARKANA DIVISION
AMERICAN HEALTH
UNDERWRITERS, INC. and
JAMES H. CASHION, JR.
d/b/a AMERICAN HEALTH
UNDERWRITERS
Plaintiffs,
v.
GOLDEN RULE
INSURANCE COMPANY,
Defendant.

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No. 5:10cv199

MEMORANDUM ORDER ADOPTING THE
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
The above-entitled and numbered civil action was heretofore referred to United States
Magistrate Judge Caroline M. Craven pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636. The Report of the magistrate
judge containing her proposed findings of fact and recommendations for the disposition of such
action has been presented for consideration. Plaintiffs filed objections to the Report and
Recommendation. Also before the Court are Defendant’s response and Plaintiffs’ reply.
The magistrate judge’s Report recommends that this Court grant Defendant’s motion to
dismiss for nonjoinder. In their objections to the Report, Plaintiffs argue that the dismissal for
nonjoinder is not appropriate because the Receiver is not a necessary party to the lawsuit. Rather,
Plaintiffs argue, the Receiver is a joint tortfeasor that need not be joined. Plaintiffs also object to the
magistrate judge’s conclusion that the Circuit Court of Pulaski County, Arkansas (the “Receivership
Court”) has exclusive jurisdiction over the dispute. Finally, Plaintiffs object to the magistrate judge’s
conclusion that proceeding with the case in federal court may prejudice the Receiver.

The Court conducted a de novo review of the magistrate judge’s findings and conclusions.
The magistrate judge’s report states that the Receivership Court has exclusive jurisdiction with
respect to all matters relating to an insurance receivership. Because Plaintiffs’ claims arise out of the
Receiver’s actions during the Receivership Proceedings, the magistrate judge stated that the
Receivership Court has exclusive jurisdiction over Plaintiffs’ claims against the Receiver. Thus the
Receiver cannot be joined in this action.
After finding that joinder is not feasible in this case, the magistrate judge turned to Federal
Rule of Civil Procedure 19, which requires the Court to determine whether the action should proceed
with the existing parties or be dismissed. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 19(b)(1). Under Rule 19, the Court must
consider the following factors:
(1) the extent to which a judgment rendered in the person’s absence might prejudice that
person or the existing parties;
(2) the extent to which any prejudice could be lessened or avoided by:
(A) protective provisions in the judgment;
(B) shaping the relief; or
(C) other measures;
(3) whether a judgment rendered in the person’s absence would be adequate; and
(4) whether the plaintiff would have an adequate remedy if the action were dismissed for
nonjoinder.
See id. The magistrate judge’s report adequately describes the potential for prejudice against
the Receiver if the case were to continue in this Court. See Doc. No. 57 at 5.
Additionally, Plaintiffs have not presented any reason why this action could not have been
raised as part of the receivership proceedings. And, as the magistrate judge stated, if this action is
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dismissed for nonjoinder, Plaintiffs can still raise their claims in the Receivership Court. See id.
Accordingly, Plaintiffs’ objections are without merit. The Court is of the opinion that the
findings and conclusions of the magistrate judge are correct. Therefore, the Court hereby adopts the
Report of the United States magistrate judge as the findings and conclusions of this Court.
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Accordingly, it is hereby
ORDERED that Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss Second Amended Complaint (Dkt. No. 38)
is GRANTED. It is further
ORDERED that the above-entitled and numbered cause of action is DISMISSED.
It is SO ORDERED.
SIGNED this 31st day of August, 2012.

____________________________________
MICHAEL H. SCHNEIDER
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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