Tenant Can't Sue in Federal Court After State Court Rejected Claim

LVT Number: #24263

Landlord sued to evict rent-stabilized tenant. The court ruled for landlord. Tenant appealed and lost. She was evicted in 1996. Two years later, tenant sued landlord in State Supreme Court, claiming that landlord's negligence caused her to develop physical ailments. After a jury trial, the court ruled for tenant and awarded her $175,000. Landlord appealed and won. The appeals court found that there was no basis to find that landlord caused tenant's medical conditions. Tenant's further appeals were denied.

Landlord sued to evict rent-stabilized tenant. The court ruled for landlord. Tenant appealed and lost. She was evicted in 1996. Two years later, tenant sued landlord in State Supreme Court, claiming that landlord's negligence caused her to develop physical ailments. After a jury trial, the court ruled for tenant and awarded her $175,000. Landlord appealed and won. The appeals court found that there was no basis to find that landlord caused tenant's medical conditions. Tenant's further appeals were denied. In 2012, tenant then sued landlord in federal court, challenging the eviction and asserting the same negligence claims that were rejected by the state courts. The court dismissed the case. Federal courts have no jurisdiction over landlord-tenant matters. Federal courts also can't rule on cases that are basically attempts to appeal a state court decision. The state courts had ruled on tenant's claims, and she lost.

Calderon v. Evergreen Owners, Inc.: Index No. 12-CV-1167, 2012 WL 3011033 (EDNY; 7/23/12; Irizarry, DJ)