Judge Refuses to Remand Ala. Nail Case on Amount-in-Controversy Basis

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — An Alabama federal judge has refused to remand an orthopedic nail case to state court, ruling that the amount-in-controversy requirement is most likely met because the plaintiff seeks both compensatory and punitive damages from Stryker Corp.

In a May 3 order, Judge R. David Proctor of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama explained that if the action involved solely a claim for compensatory damages, it might be a closer question as to whether the amount-in-controversy requirement was satisfied.

Samantha Farris was injured in a car accident in August 2015 and underwent surgery on …