When filing a complaint, what must a plaintiff ensure regarding damages in diversity cases in federal court?

In diversity cases in federal court, it is crucial that the damages sought by the plaintiff exceed a specific monetary threshold in order to meet the jurisdictional requirements established by the law. This threshold is set at $75,000, which is outlined in 28 U.S.C. § 1332. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that federal courts only hear cases that involve significant amounts in controversy, thereby allowing for federal jurisdiction.

When a plaintiff files a complaint, they must assert that the amount in controversy exceeds this jurisdictional limit to establish that the federal court has the authority to hear the case. If the damages claimed do not meet this threshold, the federal court would dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction, requiring the plaintiff to pursue their claims in state court instead.

While other factors about what the damages can include (such as punitive or compensatory damages) or aspects regarding how damages are characterized (emotional or physical) can be important in the legal process, they do not impact the fundamental requirement that the amount in controversy must exceed the set monetary threshold for the federal court to maintain jurisdiction over the case. Similarly, while state law may provide guidance on how damages can be pursued and calculated, the determining factor for federal jurisdiction remains focused