California Shock Trauma Air Rescue v. State Compensation Insurance Fund

OPINION

WALLACE, Senior Circuit Judge:

These consolidated appeals arise from two separate actions that involve California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR). Both actions turn on the same jurisdictional question: is the expectation of a federal defense, without more, sufficient to establish federal jurisdiction over a state-law claim? Despite CALSTAR’s arguments to the contrary, we reiterate that the well-pleaded complaint rule precludes the exercise of federal subject matter jurisdiction over purely state-law causes of action, like the one raised here.

I

CALSTAR provides air-ambulance rescue…