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Insurance Claims professional presents articles and videos on insurance, insurance Claims and insurance law for insurance Claims adjusters, insurance professionals and insurance lawyers who wish to improve their skills and knowledge. Presented by an internationally recognized expert and author.
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June 11, 2025
Court Has No Subject Matter Jurisdiction

Failure to Allege a Short and Plain Statement of a Claim is Fatal to Suit
Post 5095

Even a Pro Se Plaintiff Must Allege Subject Matter Jurisdiction

See the full video at https://lnkd.in/g2Wqs2-b and at https://lnkd.in/gEWNcEzw, and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5050 posts.

In Jordan C. Kimball v. State Of California, et al., No. 2:25-cv-00363-DJC-CSK, United States District Court, E.D. California (May 27, 2025) Plaintiff Jordan C. Kimball acting as his own lawyer seeking leave to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”) pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. For the reasons that follow, the Court recommends Plaintiff’s IFP application be denied, and the Complaint be dismissed without leave to amend.

THE COMPLAINT

Plaintiff brings this action against Defendants State of California and Sacramento District Attorney’s Office. Plaintiff states the basis for jurisdiction is federal question based on the multiple federal statutes. Plaintiff alleges that from August 29, 2017 to January 15, 2025, he has been “subjected to police brutality and obstruction of justice, including but not limited to suppression of evidence, wrongful denial of Plaintiff’s claims and intentional misconduct by law enforcement and prosecuting authorities.” Plaintiff seeks $60 million in damages and “demands the initiation of criminal proceedings against the individuals [for] conspiracy, fraud and attempted murder.”

MOTION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

One need not be absolutely destitute to obtain benefits of the in forma pauperis statute. Nonetheless, a party seeking IFP status must allege poverty with some particularity, definiteness and certainty.

Plaintiff has made the required showing. The Magistrate recommended that Plaintiff’s IFP application be denied because the action is facially frivolous and without merit because it fails to state a claim and lacks subject matter jurisdiction. Because it appears from the face of the Complaint that this action is frivolous.

DISCUSSION

Subject Matter Jurisdiction

The Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this action. Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction and may hear only those cases authorized by federal law. Without jurisdiction, the district court cannot decide the merits of a case or order any relief and must dismiss the case. A federal court’s jurisdiction may be established in one of two ways: actions arising under federal law or those between citizens of different states in which the alleged damages exceed $75,000.

The Complaint fails to establish the Court’s subject matter jurisdiction. The Complaint states no basis for federal court jurisdiction, and none is apparent. In light of the recommendation to dismiss Plaintiff’s federal claims, the Court recommends declining to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the remaining state law claim alleged under California Civil Procedure §§ 377.60 and 377.62 for wrongful death. A court may decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over state law claims if it has dismissed all claims over which it has original jurisdiction.

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8

Plaintiff’s Complaint does not contain, as required by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8, a claim that provides subject matter jurisdiction because it does not give fair notice and state the elements of a claim plainly and succinctly.

Leave to Amend

In considering whether leave to amend should be granted, the Court finds that the Complaint is without merit because it fails to state a claim and lacks subject matter jurisdiction.

CONCLUSION

Based upon the findings above, it is RECOMMENDED that:

1. Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis be DENIED;
2. Plaintiff’s Complaint be DISMISSED without leave to amend; and
3. The Clerk of the Court be directed to CLOSE this case.

ZALMA OPINION

Courts usually bend over backwards to help a pro se plaintiff to avail himself of the court’s process, but their kindness is not without limit. The allegations were found by the Magistrate to be frivolous and that failure defeated the claim for failure to allege subject matter jurisdiction to the court.

(c) 2025 Barry Zalma & ClaimSchool, Inc.

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00:07:53
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4 hours ago
Man Bites Dog Story – Hertz Sues Alleged Fraudsters

Hertz Succesfully Refuses to Pay Alleged Fraudulent Health Care Providers

Post 5222

Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/man-bites-dog-story-hertz-sues-alleged-fraudsters-zalma-esq-cfe-efbgc, see the video at and at and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5200 posts.

Proactive Victim of Fraud Defeats Health Care Providers

In Hertz Vehicles, LLC v. Alignment Chiropractic, P.C., et al, Index No. 157368/2024, 2025 NY Slip Op 33627(U), Motion Seq. No. 001, NYSCEF Doc. No. 46, Supreme Court, New York County (September 30, 2025) Plaintiff alleged it is not obligated to pay no-fault benefits for the medical treatment of defendants for injuries while occupants of a 2023 Hyundai, owned and self-insured by Hertz.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Plaintiff moved for a default judgment against defendants Alignment Chiropractic, P.C., and many other alleged health care providers.

Plaintiff also ...

00:06:28
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4 hours ago
Man Bites Dog Story – Hertz Sues Alleged Fraudsters

Hertz Succesfully Refuses to Pay Alleged Fraudulent Health Care Providers

Post 5222

Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/man-bites-dog-story-hertz-sues-alleged-fraudsters-zalma-esq-cfe-efbgc, see the video at and at and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5200 posts.

Proactive Victim of Fraud Defeats Health Care Providers

In Hertz Vehicles, LLC v. Alignment Chiropractic, P.C., et al, Index No. 157368/2024, 2025 NY Slip Op 33627(U), Motion Seq. No. 001, NYSCEF Doc. No. 46, Supreme Court, New York County (September 30, 2025) Plaintiff alleged it is not obligated to pay no-fault benefits for the medical treatment of defendants for injuries while occupants of a 2023 Hyundai, owned and self-insured by Hertz.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Plaintiff moved for a default judgment against defendants Alignment Chiropractic, P.C., and many other alleged health care providers.

Plaintiff also moved...

00:06:28
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November 05, 2025
Not Nice to Shop the Federal Court to Avoid State Court

Who’s on First? State or Federal Court

Post 5222

Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/gWj97cFs, see the video at https://lnkd.in/gtS6CpUX and at https://lnkd.in/gQEAeyHc,

Conflict Between State & Federal Court Requires Abstention

See the video at https://lnkd.in/gtS6CpUX and at https://lnkd.in/gQEAeyHc,

Conflict Between State & Federal Court Requires Abstention

Hector David Campoverde was injured at a Brooklyn construction site in 2015. Campoverde was an employee of Vazquez Bro Restoration Inc., a subcontractor for C.C.C. Renovation Inc., which was itself a subcontractor for general contractor L&M Builders Group LLC. In Starr Indemnity & Liability Company v. Scottsdale Insurance Company, No. 24-CV-3309 (PKC) (TAM), United States District Court, E.D. New York (September 30, 2025) was asked to determine whether one or more of the involved insurers is obligated to indemnify Campoverde, and in what order Camporverde can receive indemnity, from one or more insurer.

Underlying Incident:

Campoverde sued the ...

00:07:43
October 31, 2025
The Zalma Philosophy of Claims Handling – Part 9

The Professional Claims Handler
Post 5219

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Barry Zalma

An Insurance claims professionals should be a person who:

Can read and understand the insurance policies issued by the insurer.
Understands the promises made by the policy.
Understand their obligation, as an insurer’s claims staff, to fulfill the promises made.
Are competent investigators.
Have empathy and recognize the difference between empathy and sympathy.
Understand medicine relating to traumatic injuries and are sufficiently versed in tort law to deal with lawyers as equals.
Understand how to repair damage to real and personal property and the value of the repairs or the property.
Understand how to negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement with the insured that is fair and reasonable to both the insured and the insurer.

How to Create Claims Professionals

To avoid fraudulent claims, claims of breach of contract, bad faith, punitive damages, unresolved losses, and to make a profit, insurers ...

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October 20, 2025
The Zalma Philosophy of Claims Handling – Part I

The History Behind the Creation of a Claims Handling Expert

The Insurance Industry Needs to Implement Excellence in Claims Handling or Fail
Post 5210

This is a change from my normal blog postings. It is my attempt. in more than one post, to explain the need for professional claims representatives who comply with the basic custom and practice of the insurance industry. This statement of my philosophy on claims handling starts with my history as a claims adjuster, insurance defense and coverage lawyer and insurance claims handling expert.
My Training to be an Insurance Claims Adjuster

When I was discharged from the US Army in 1967 I was hired as an insurance adjuster trainee by a professional and well respected insurance company. The insurer took a chance on me because I had been an Army Intelligence Investigator for my three years in the military and could use that training and experience to be a basis to become a professional insurance adjuster.

I was initially sat at a desk reading a text-book on insurance ...

post photo preview
October 20, 2025
The Zalma Philosophy of Claims Handling – Part I

The History Behind the Creation of a Claims Handling Expert

The Insurance Industry Needs to Implement Excellence in Claims Handling or Fail

Post 5210

This is a change from my normal blog postings. It is my attempt. in more than one post, to explain the need for professional claims representatives who comply with the basic custom and practice of the insurance industry. This statement of my philosophy on claims handling starts with my history as a claims adjuster, insurance defense and coverage lawyer and insurance claims handling expert.

My Training to be an Insurance Claims Adjuster

When I was discharged from the US Army in 1967 I was hired as an insurance adjuster trainee by a professional and well respected insurance company. The insurer took a chance on me because I had been an Army Intelligence Investigator for my three years in the military and could use that training and experience to be a basis to become a professional insurance adjuster.

I was initially sat at a desk reading a text-book on insurance ...

post photo preview
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