Assume that you live in California and are on vacation, traveling by car from California to Texas. You are injured in a motel room outside of California when the bed on which you are sleeping collapses, causing you to fall to the floor. You suffer substantial back and leg injuries, requiring many medical treatments and causing you to miss work for 15 weeks.
Your medical bills total $16,000 and your lost wages total $9,000. You intend to sue the owner of the Texas motel.
A. Can you bring your case in federal court? Why or why not?
B. Can you commence the case in California? What additional information might you need to answer this question?