Jones v. The Whirlpool Corporation, et al

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
JARVIS JONES, 	)
Plaintiff, 	)
)
v. 	) CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:22-00475-KD-N
)
THE WHIRLPOOL 	)
CORPORATION, 	)
Defendant. 	)
ORDER
This action is before the Court1 on Plaintiff Jarvis Jones’s motion to compel
discovery (Doc. 69), Defendant The Whirlpool Corporation’s (“Whirlpool”) opposition
response (Doc. 71), and Plaintiff’s reply in support (Doc. 72), along with Plaintiff’s
motion for leave to seal exhibits accompanying his motion. (Doc. 67). The parties
appeared before the Court for oral argument in connection with Plaintiff’s motion on
June 21, 2024. (Doc. 77). Upon consideration, with the benefit of oral argument, and
for the reasons stated herein, Plaintiff’s motion for leave to seal (Doc. 67) is
GRANTED and his motion to compel discovery (Doc. 68) is GRANTED in part and
DENIED in part.
I. 	Background
Jones initiated this action in the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama on
October 31, 2022. (Docs. 1, 1-2). Whirlpool removed on diversity grounds in November
2022. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1332, 1446. (Doc. 1). The operative amended complaint, filed
1 The assigned District Judge has referred this motion to the undersigned Magistrate Judge for
appropriate action under 28 U.S.C. § 636(a)–(b), Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72, and S.D. Ala.
GenLR 72(a). See S.D. Ala. GenLR 72(b); (5/13/2024 elec. ref.).
Case 1:22-cv-00475-KD-N Doc# 79 Filed 07/01/24 Page 1 of 13 PageID#
<pageID>

2
April 19, 2023 against Whirlpool and now-former Defendant Robertshaw Controls
Company (“Robertshaw”), 2 brings causes of action under the Alabama Extended
Manufacturer’s Liability Doctrine (“AEMLD”) for design and manufacturing defects
(Count I) and failure to warn (Count II), along with causes of action rooted in
negligence (Count III), wantonness (Count IV) and breach of warranties (Count V).
(Doc. 23).
Discovery began in January 2023, and Plaintiff’s first set of interrogatories and
requests for production were served March 31, 2023. (Doc. 18). Discovery proceeded
without much interruption until February 2024 when Robertshaw noticed the Court
of its bankruptcy filing. (Doc. 54). That notice prompted a stay of discovery as to
Robertshaw pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 362(a) (Doc. 55), and motion practice regarding
whether that stay should extend to Whirlpool. (Docs. 56, 59, 62). Whirlpool ultimately
withdrew its motion seeking to share in the stay (Doc. 63; see Doc. 64), but the motion
practice necessitated changes to the schedule (see Docs. 65, 66). At present, discovery
is set to close November 14, 2024. (Doc. 66).
The operative motion to compel was filed May 13, 2024. (Doc. 68).3 Put at issue
by the motion are Whirlpool’s responses to Interrogatories No. 11 and No. 12 and
2 Robertshaw was dismissed without prejudice under Rule 41(a)(2) as of April 30, 2023. (Docs. 58, 64).
3 Plaintiff contemporaneously moved for leave to seal exhibits relevant to his motion in accordance
with the Protective Order governing this action and the Court’s Local Rules. S.D. Ala. CivLR 5.2. (Doc.
67; see Doc. 34). While the exhibits filed under seal do not themselves bear any markings indicating
their designation by Whirlpool as protected material, Plaintiff’s avers they have been so designated
and requests they “remain under seal for the duration of this action.” (Doc. 67). Accordingly, and in
the absence of any dispute regarding whether such items have been properly marked or filed under
seal, Plaintiff’s motion for leave to seal those exhibits (Doc. 67) is GRANTED and the Clerk is
DIRECTED to maintain Doc. 69 under seal.
Case 1:22-cv-00475-KD-N Doc# 79 Filed 07/01/24 Page 2 of 13 PageID#
<pageID>

3
RFPs No. 11 and No. 12. (Doc. 68).
II. 	Legal Standards
The scope of discovery for civil actions in federal court is broad, allowing each
party to “obtain discovery regarding any nonprivileged matter that is relevant to any
party’s claim or defense and proportional to the needs of the case…” Fed. R. Civ. P.
26(b)(1). This broad purpose aims to empower parties “to obtain the fullest possible
knowledge of the issues and facts before trial.” Hickman v. Taylor, 329 U.S. 495, 501
(1947). However, it is not without limits, and district courts have “broad discretion to
compel or deny discovery.” United States v. Cuya, 964 F.3d 969, 970 (11th Cir. 2020).
See Rosen v. Provident Life & Accident Ins. Co., 308 F.R.D. 670, 676 (N.D. Ala. July
10 2015) (“The scope of discovery is largely within the discretion of the trial court
because discovery should be tailored to the issues involved in the particular case”)
(cleaned up)).
Parties “may move for an order compelling disclosure or discovery” under Rule
37(a). Relevant here, such a motion is permitted if a party “fails to answer an
interrogatory submitted under Rule 33” or “fails to produce documents… as requested
under Rule 34.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(a)(3)(iii)-(iv). Under Rule 37(a)(4), “an evasive or
incomplete, disclosure, answer, or response must be treated as a failure to disclose,
answer or respond.” A resisting party’s basis for non-disclosure must be adequately
stated, and blanket or conclusory objections to production in the face of otherwise
proper discovery requests are “tantamount to not making any objection at all.” Boler
v. Bank of Am., N.A., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 222128, *4 (N.D. Ala. Oct. 1, 2018)
Case 1:22-cv-00475-KD-N Doc# 79 Filed 07/01/24 Page 3 of 13 PageID#
<pageID>

4
(citation omitted). Ultimately, the resisting party bears the burden of establishing
how and why the discovery sought is improper. See e.g., Panola Land Buyers Assoc.
v. Shuman, 762 F.2d 1550, 1559 (11th Cir. 1985).
III. 	Discovery at Issue
Plaintiff’s motion identifies disputes regarding the following items from his
first set of discovery and Whirlpool’s responses thereto:
Interrogatory 	No. 	11: 	Describe 	in 	detail 	any 	warranty 	claims,
customer 	complaints, 	field 	reports, 	industry 	alerts, 	injury 	reports,
consumer notices, and/or other claims or notices received by and/or
otherwise known to this Defendant in the last ten years concerning the
possibility 	of 	the 	burners 	of 	the 	Glass 	Top 	Range 	product 	line
spontaneously igniting and/or otherwise having a temperature/heat
output that deviates from the burner’s controller settings. Your response
should include the date of each notice, the name and address of the
person or entity that provided it, the type of notice submitted, and the
substance of the notice.4
Interrogatory No. 12: State whether any other claims or lawsuits of
any kind have been filed against this Defendant in the past ten years
involving allegations related to the burners of the Glass Top Range
product 	line 	spontaneously 	igniting 	and/or 	otherwise 	having 	a
temperature/heat output that deviates from the burner’s controller
settings. If so, state the caption of each lawsuit, where and when it was
filed, the name and address of all parties, the substance of the claims,
and the status and/or resolution of the lawsuit.
RFP No. 11: Produce any warranty claims, customer complaints, field
reports, industry alerts, injury reports, consumer notices, and/or other
claims or notices received by and/or otherwise known to this Defendant
in the last ten years concerning the possibility of the burners of the Glass
Top Range product line spontaneously igniting and/or otherwise having
a temperature/heat output that deviates from the burner’s controller
settings. Your response should include the date of each notice, the name
4 Plaintiff appeared to amend the text of this interrogatory, albeit informally, in an October 6, 2023
letter. (Doc. 68-1, PageID.477). The rephrasing removed this item’s request for a description of the
names and addresses belonging to the persons or entities underlying the subject claims, complaints,
reports, alerts or notices, along with its request to describe the “type of notice submitted,” the latter of
which was likely surplusage in the first instance. (Compare id. with Doc. 68, PageID.458).
Case 1:22-cv-00475-KD-N Doc# 79 Filed 07/01/24 Page 4 of 13 PageID#
<pageID>

5
and address of the person or entity that provided it, the type of notice
submitted, and the substance of the notice.
RFP No. 12: Produce any other claims or lawsuits of any kind have been
filed against this Defendant in the past ten years involving allegations
related 	to 	the 	burners 	of 	the 	Glass 	Top 	Range 	product 	line
spontaneously igniting and/or otherwise having a temperature/heat
output that deviates from the burner’s controller settings.5
(Doc. 68, PageID.458).
Whirlpool’s initial responses state:
Response (Interrog. No. 11): Whirlpool objects to this interrogatory
on the grounds that it is overly broad, unduly burdensome, seeks
information that is not relevant to any party’s claim or defense, and is
not proportional to the needs of this case. This interrogatory also seeks
information 	that 	is 	protected 	by 	Whirlpool’s 	right 	of 	privacy 	and
disclosure would violate the right of privacy of Whirlpool’s customers.
Whirlpool further objects to this interrogatory to the extent it seeks
documents or information protected from discovery by the attorney-
client privilege or by the work-product doctrine. Without waiving these
objections, Whirlpool possesses electronic data regarding alleged
product 	failures 	in 	an 	information 	system. 	However, 	the
information that Plaintiff requests is not categorized as requested.
Whirlpool’s database information is generally categorized by claimant
name and appliance type but not by the component model number or
component 	part 	number. 	Accordingly, 	this 	information 	is 	better
obtained from Robertshaw who is a defendant in this lawsuit.
Response (Interrog. No. 12): See response to Interrogatory No. 11.
Response (RFP No. 11): See Whirlpool’s response and objections to
Interrogatory No. 11.
Response (RFP No. 12): See Whirlpool’s response and objections to
Interrogatory No. 11.
(Doc. 68, PageID.459) (emphasis in original).
5 Plaintiff also appeared to informally amend the text of this request in the October 6, 2023 letter,
replacing his request for production of “any other claims or lawsuits” with a request for “copies of the
complaint(s) from each lawsuit.” (Compare Doc. 68, PageID.458 with Doc. 68-1, PageID.479).
Case 1:22-cv-00475-KD-N Doc# 79 Filed 07/01/24 Page 5 of 13 PageID#
<pageID>

6
Plaintiff’s motion states these responses have been supplemented four times.
(Doc. 68). An August 11, 2023 supplementation is not reproduced, but Plaintiff
apparently viewed it as “entirely insufficient.” (Doc. 68, PageID.460; see Doc. 68-1,
PageID.472-73). Whirlpool served supplemental responses to RFP No. 11 and RFP
No. 12 on November 16, 2023 and to Interrogatory No. 11 and Interrogatory No. 12
on April 12, 2024, stating:
Supplemental Response (RFP No. 11): Without waiving such [prior]
objections, Whirlpool has been unable to locate any other claims or
lawsuits 	with 	Model 	WFE505W0JZ0 	involving 	allegations 	of
spontaneous ignition or a temperature/heat output that deviates from
the burner’s control settings.
Supplemental Response (RFP No. 12): See Supplemental Response
to Request No. 11.
Supplemental Response (Interrog. No. 11): Without waiving such
[prior] objections, Whirlpool has been unable to locate any other claims
or 	lawsuits 	with 	Model 	WFE505W0JZ0 	involving 	allegations 	of
spontaneous ignition or a temperature/heat output that deviates from
the burner’s control settings.
Supplemental 	Response 	(Interrog. 	No. 	12): 	See 	Supplemental
Response to Interrogatory No. 11.
(Doc. 68, PageID.460-62). Plaintiff notes a final supplementation on an unstated date
wherein Whirlpool allegedly affirmed its production of all responsive documents
“within [its] possession, custody, or control,” but it is not included in the record. (Id.).
IV. 	Discussion
Whirlpool is one of the largest kitchen appliance companies in the world,6 and
6 See https://www.imarcgroup.com/top-kitchen-appliances-companies-world (last visited June 26,
Case 1:22-cv-00475-KD-N Doc# 79 Filed 07/01/24 Page 6 of 13 PageID#
<pageID>

7
several brands operate under the Whirlpool corporate umbrella.7 This case involves
personal injuries which Plaintiff alleges were the result of one or more defects in a
Whirlpool product. (See generally, Doc. 23). By way of the discovery items at issue
here, Plaintiff seeks learn about other instances where similar Whirlpool products
may have failed or otherwise malfunctioned in a manner like that which he alleges
caused his injuries. He seeks a description of those instances and production of any
accompanying documentary evidence via Interrogatory No. 11 and RFP No. 11 (“No.
11 items”), and a description of other similar instances which resulted in lawsuits,
along with the complaints filed in those cases via Interrogatory No. 12 and RFP No.
12 (“No. 12 items”). (See generally, Doc. 68).
Whirlpool initially objected to the discovery sought on a myriad of grounds,
before stating it “possesses electronic data regarding alleged product failures.” (Doc.
68, PageID.459).8 Whirlpool’s counsel affirmed during oral argument that Whirlpool
likely would be able to produce whatever information Plaintiff seeks if it knows what
it needs to look for. (See Doc. 77). Accordingly, this dispute is not about whether
Whirlpool can provide responsive information, but about whether it should have to,
the scope of the information that it must ultimately provide, the relative burden that
2024).
7 See https://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/brands-we-love/ (last visited June 26, 2024). (See Doc. 72-1).
8 Whirlpool’s initial responses stated the system containing this data is “categorized by claimant name
and appliance type, but not by the component model number or component part number.” (Doc. 68,
PageID.459) (emphasis supplied). This explanation of the system’s applicable search parameters
appears to be inconsistent at best, as subsequent meet and confer communications reveal Whirlpool’s
willingness to conduct additional searches of that system but stated that it would need Plaintiff to
provide “part number[s] for the specific component(s)” in order to do so. (See Doc. 68-1, PageID.481;
see also, Doc. 68-1, PageID.491 (noting that inconsistency in meet and confer letter)).
Case 1:22-cv-00475-KD-N Doc# 79 Filed 07/01/24 Page 7 of 13 PageID#
<pageID>

8
production might impose, whether that information is relevant, and whether its scope
is proportional to the needs of this case.
Part of the issue underlying this dispute stems from the wording of Plaintiff’s
interrogatories and requests. The undersigned agrees with Whirlpool that these
items may not be perfectly phrased and can see how their manner of presentation
could pose confusion and/or reticence when it came to Whirlpool’s searching of its
system for responsive information and fashioning a response. For example, Plaintiff’s
failure to define the term “product line” – which it associated with the “Glass Top
Range” referenced in its discovery (for which a specific model number was assigned)
– could be fairly read as meaning only instances relating to products installed with
the specific “Whirlpool glass top range, Model No. WFE505W0JZ0.” (See Doc. 71,
PageID.543). Further, Plaintiff’s discovery requests fail to clarify whether the
discovery seeks only Whirlpool-branded products or if the requests also extend to
products and brands beneath the Whirlpool corporate umbrella. (See id.).
However, the undersigned also agrees with Plaintiff that he is at a significant
information disadvantage when it comes to knowledge of Whirlpool’s products, parts,
components, and various products lines. Put simply, this information disadvantage
prevents him from asking the “perfect” questions which Whirlpool implies he must
ask before it must respond. For example, there has been much discussion about
Plaintiff identifying “specific” parts, components, or model numbers. (See e.g., Doc.
68-1, PageID.481; Docs. 71, 77). Whirlpool has “agreed to conduct additional searches
once [Plaintiff] provides that information.” (See Doc. 68-1, PageID.483; Docs. 71, 77).
Case 1:22-cv-00475-KD-N Doc# 79 Filed 07/01/24 Page 8 of 13 PageID#
<pageID>

9
But requiring Plaintiff to come up with the precise search parameters for Whirlpool
to run places him in a catch-22. He could try coming up with a list of the part,
component or model numbers for Whirlpool to use, but he cannot possibly put
together a complete list, and putting together an incomplete list would cabin the scope
of his discovery requests to whatever partial list he can come up with. (Id.).
The parties’ meet and confer communications, along with Plaintiff’s briefing
and representations during oral argument clarify the physical characteristics of the
products underlying both the No. 11 and No. 12 items: Glass Top Stoves (bearing any
Whirlpool or Whirlpool umbrella brand) with physical knobs that contain Robertshaw
Infinite Switches. (See generally, Docs. 68, 77). Only a finite number of Whirlpool
and/or Whirlpool umbrella products will contain those exact specifications, and given
Whirlpool’s institutional knowledge of its own products, the undersigned sees no
reason why Whirlpool could not use that criteria to ascertain which of its products fit
that description. Moreover, the relative burden imposed on Whirlpool by requiring it
to undertake this effort is substantially less than the one which would be imposed on
Plaintiff to do the same, as requiring him to do so would take substantial time and
cost, only to yield a likely incomplete result.
Once those specific products are determined, Whirlpool should be able to
identify the associated model numbers with relative ease, which it can use to run a
search of its database for information responsive to the No. 11 and No. 12 items – i.e.,
for instances where those products “spontaneously ignit[ed] and/or otherwise ha[d] a
temperature/heat output that deviate[d] from the burner’s controller” and led to
Case 1:22-cv-00475-KD-N Doc# 79 Filed 07/01/24 Page 9 of 13 PageID#
<pageID>

10
claims, complaints, reports, alerts, notices or lawsuits. The results of that search
should further pave the way for Whirlpool to provide a fully responsive answer to
RFP No. 11 and RFP No. 12, because it will then know where to look.9
Whirlpool bears the burden of establishing the discovery sought is improper,
Panola Land Buyers Assoc., 762 F.2d at 1559, and its various objections largely do
not change the undersigned’s calculus.10 The information disadvantage previously
discussed directly resulted in the imperfect phrasing of Plaintiff’s requests, and it is
largely that imperfect phrasing upon which Whirlpool’s objections are based.
Plaintiff has consistently described the discovery sought as being aimed at the
“failure mode at issue.” (See e.g., Doc. 68, 68-1, 72). Here, that is “spontaneous
ignition” or “a temperature output deviating from a control setting.” (Doc. 68-1,
PageID.477). 	Under 	the 	substantial 	similarity 	doctrine, 	“[e]vidence 	of 	similar
accidents might be relevant to the defendant’s notice, magnitude of the danger
involved, the defendant’s ability to correct a known defect, the lack of safety for
intended uses, the strength of a product, the standard of care, and causation.” Weeks
v. Remington Arms Co., 733 F.2d 1485, 1491 (11th Cir. 1984) (citation omitted). See
Beasley v. Robotec, Inc., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 254636, *6 (S.D. Ala. Nov. 16, 2020)
(“Generally, different models of a product will be relevant if they share with the
9 Whirlpool need not provide Plaintiff with a list of model numbers or specific products fitting the
physical specifications described herein, as he seeks only details of claims, complaints, reports, alerts,
notices and/or lawsuits stemming from relevant incidents involving those models or products.
10 To the extent Whirlpool objects based on “Whirlpool’s right to privacy,” the “right of privacy of
Whirlpool’s customers,” attorney-client privilege and work-product protection, its objections are
OVERRULED, as it provided no substantive basis for those objections in its responses, supplemental
responses, opposition response or at the oral argument. (Docs. 68, 71, 77). To the extent privacy
concerns are raised, the undersigned notes the Protective Order entered in this action. (See Doc. 34).
Case 1:22-cv-00475-KD-N Doc# 79 Filed 07/01/24 Page 10 of 13 PageID#
<pageID>

11
accident-causing model those characteristics pertinent to the legal issues raised in
the litigation”) (citing Fine v. Facet Aerospace Prod. Co., 133 F.R.D. 439, 441 (S.D.N.Y.
1990))). The undersigned agrees with Plaintiff that claims, complaints, reports,
alerts, notices or lawsuits known to Whirlpool arising from instances where Whirlpool
or Whirlpool umbrella products meeting the precise physical specifications allegedly
failed as a result of a temperature output deviating from a control setting or
spontaneous ignition could be relevant to the claims at issue here. Whirlpool’s
arguments to the contrary are unpersuasive. (See Doc. 71).
Both parties point to Utter v. Outsource Utility Contractor, BCV-21-100792,
Superior Court of California, County of Kern (hereinafter “Utter”) in their briefs.
Plaintiff views this case (which was previously undisclosed in discovery) as a
responsive example based on “substantially similar circumstances” where Whirlpool
is “co-defending with Robertshaw.” (Doc. 68, PageID.481). Whirlpool advances two
reasons why Utter is not a “substantially similar” case to the one at hand. One of
those reasons falls flat,11 while the other has some legs.12 However, the present
dispute is not about whether Utter is relevant or a “substantially similar” case to the
11 Using Beasley’s discussion on relevant discovery of “different models,” Whirlpool argues the Maytag
stove at issue in Utter is from “a wholly separate product line” and “not a different model of the same
product” as the stove at issue here. (Doc. 71, PageID.545) (citing 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS at *6)). This
argument reads Beasley too narrowly by asserting discovery could only be relevant among different
models of the same product or different products within a product line. The unifying characteristics
making Plaintiff’s discovery relevant here – regardless of the specific model or product line – are the
physical specifications of Plaintiff’s stove, paired with the specific mode of failure.
12 Whirlpool’s second argument is well-taken insofar as the incident in Utter is alleged to have resulted
from a negligent or erroneous “power hookup,” rather than flowing directly from an alleged
temperature output deviation that resulted in “spontaneous ignition” without an intervening cause.
(See Doc. 71). Thus, in fairness to Whirlpool, Utter itself may not fit the bill as an instance responsive
to Plaintiff’s discovery requests.
Case 1:22-cv-00475-KD-N Doc# 79 Filed 07/01/24 Page 11 of 13 PageID#
<pageID>

12
one at hand – it is about whether Plaintiff’s discovery requests target potentially
relevant material. For the reasons stated above, the undersigned agrees that it does.
However, the undersigned does find Plaintiff’s discovery requests should be
limited in temporal scope. Plaintiff appeared to concede during oral argument that it
would be willing to limit its requests to a five-year period, as opposed to the stated
ten years. (Doc. 77). This is a reasonable concession, which the undersigned finds
should be applied here, as it will at least reduce Whirlpool’s burden in providing a
fully responsive answer to these discovery items and will bring the proportionality of
the requests into greater balance with the issues relevant to this case.
V. 	Conclusion
Upon consideration and for the reasons stated herein, Plaintiff’s motion to
compel (Doc. 68) is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.
Whirlpool is ORDERED to identify its models or products (including those
within the Whirlpool corporate umbrella) fitting the physical characteristics of the
stove at issue in this case, as described in Part IV, which it shall then use to search
its database for responsive instances known to Whirlpool and occurring no earlier
than five years prior to the date upon which Plaintiff’s initial discovery was served,
where those models or products are alleged to have failed in a manner the same or
substantially similar to the manner described by Plaintiff. Whirlpool is further
ORDERED to utilize these results and supplement its response to Plaintiff’s
discovery by no later than July 22, 2024. See S.D. Ala. CivLR 5(b).
DONE and ORDERED this the 1st day of July 2024.
Case 1:22-cv-00475-KD-N Doc# 79 Filed 07/01/24 Page 12 of 13 PageID#
<pageID>

13
/s/ Katherine P. Nelson
KATHERINE P. NELSON
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Case 1:22-cv-00475-KD-N Doc# 79 Filed 07/01/24 Page 13 of 13 PageID#
<pageID>