Cross v. Bell Helmets, USA
The court considered and denied the Plaintiff's motions for leave to amend and for remand in a products liability case. The Plaintiff sought to cap the defendant's liability at $50,000 to divest the federal court of diversity jurisdiction. The court determined that the case was properly removed from state court, finding that the amount in controversy "facially apparent" exceeded $50,000, given the claims for exemplary damages and severe head injuries. Citing precedent, the court affirmed that post-removal stipulations to reduce damages cannot divest a federal court of jurisdiction once it has attached. The court emphasized that any stipulation to limit damages to avoid federal jurisdiction must be made in state court prior to removal.