Case Summary:
Defendant moved to dismiss Plaintiff’s adversary proceeding regarding property damage and breach of contract. Defendant argued that Plaintiff lacked standing to assert such claims because it transferred the real property and equipment to its primary secured lender after it failed to find a suitable buyer within the time limit imposed by its confirmed plan. The Plaintiff objected, stating that the Plan expressly reserved its right to prosecute claims, including property damage, against Defendant. The Court found that Plaintiff had standing to assert the claims against Defendant because the language in the confirmed plan expressly contemplated the Plaintiff pursuing claims against Defendant for property damage. Defendant was aware that the claims were not transferred, and the basis for the claims accrued before any surrender or transfer of the property to the primary secured lender. Further, the Court held that the Plaintiff had constitutional standing to bring the claims because the Plaintiff suffered “injury-in-fact,” and the damage was “concrete and particularized.”

Statute/Rule References:
11 U.S.C. § 541 -- Property of the Estate
11 U.S.C. § 1123 -- Contents of Plan
Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1) -- Lack of Subject-Matter Jurisdiction

Key Terms:
Jurisdiction
Standing