Marquinez v. Dole Food Co.
45 F. Supp. 3d 420
D. Del.2014Background
- This case concerns injuries from alleged DBCP exposure on banana plantations in multiple countries.
- Plaintiffs allege latent and obvious injuries from exposure dating primarily to the 1970s and early 1980s.
- Cross-jurisdictional tolling arguments center on whether tolling continued after 1995 dismissals and class actions.
- Delgado v. Shell Oil Co. and related rulings influenced the tolling analysis and return jurisdiction considerations.
- Delaware and Louisiana courts have addressed whether cross-jurisdictional tolling applies and when tolling ends.
- The court ultimately grants summary judgment finding tolling ended in 1995, barring most claims.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether cross-jurisdictional tolling continued past 1995 | Plaintiffs | Defendants | Tolling stopped in 1995 |
| Whether the 1995 class-certification denial and related orders restarted prescription | Plaintiffs | Defendants | No restart of prescription through the 1995 orders |
| Whether collateral estoppel or Rooker-Feldman bars relitigation | Plaintiffs | Defendants | Not barred by collateral estoppel or Rooker-Feldman |
Key Cases Cited
- American Pipe & Constr. Co. v. Utah, 414 U.S. 538 (Supreme Court 1974) (tolling class actions to promote judicial economy)
- Crown, Cork & Seal Co. v. Parker, 462 U.S. 345 (Supreme Court 1983) (tolling remains until class certification denial)
- Armstrong v. Martin Marietta Corp., 138 F.3d 1374 (11th Cir.1998) (tolling ends at denial of class certification)
- Chaverri v. Dole Food Co., Inc., 896 F.Supp.2d 556 (E.D. La. 2012) (three-factor test for tolling and its end)
- Delgado v. Shell Oil Co., 890 F.Supp.1324 (S.D. Tex. 1995) (early dismissal and mootness issues affecting tolling)
- Patrickson v. Dole Food Co., 251 F.3d 795 (9th Cir.2001) (cross-jurisdictional tolling recognized; later affirmed by Supreme Court)