Maria Del Rosario Ortega, et al. v. Star-Kist Foods, Inc.

Questions presented

SCOTUS records, cert granted 12 Oct 2004

Whether, in a civil diversity action in which the claims of one plaintiff meet the amount-in- controversy threshold, 28 U.S.C. § 1367 authorizes the district courts to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the related claims of additional plaintiffs who do not satisfy the amount-in- controversy requirement?

Opinion summary

Etalia.ai summary of the majority opinion

The case involved a group of plaintiffs, led by Maria Del Rosario Ortega, who filed a lawsuit against Star-Kist Foods, Inc. The plaintiffs alleged that the company engaged in unfair labor practices and violated wage laws affecting its employees. They claimed that Star-Kist failed to provide adequate compensation for overtime work and did not adhere to proper working conditions as mandated by federal regulations. The Supreme Court was tasked with determining whether the company's actions constituted violations under existing labor laws and if they were liable for damages sought by the workers.