Excerpt: ...n: Motions for leave to amend the pleadings are directed to the sound discretion of the trial court. “The court may, in furtherance of justice, and on any terms as may be proper, allow a party to amend any pleading[.]” (Code Civ. Proc., § 473, subd. (a)(1); see also Code Civ. Proc., § 576.) Judicial policy favors resolution of cases on the merits, and thus the court's discretion to allow amendments will usually be exercised in favor of perm...

Excerpt: ...enteri a in light of the dismissal entered November 17, 2023 as to this defendant. Explanation: No Continuance/Extension Plaintiff, after the time his opposition was due, has filed a request for a continuance or extension of time to file his opposition. This req uest was filed as a notice and motion, without a new hearing date attached to said notice. In addition to procedural issues with this request, the request does not appear well founded....

Excerpt: ... requires certification of a preliminary settlement class. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.769, subd. (d).) “If the court grants preliminary approval, its order must include the time, date, and place of the final approval hearing; the notice to be given to th e class; and any other matters deemed necessary for the proper conduct of a settlement hearing. (Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 3.769, subd. (e).) “If the court has certified the action as a ...

Excerpt: ...ithin 10 days of the date of service of this order. Explanation: Under Code of Civil Procedure section 473, subdivision (a), “The court may, in furtherance of justice, and on any terms as may be proper, allow a party to amend any pleading or proceeding b y adding or striking out the name of any party, or by correcting a mistake in the name of a party, or a mistake in any other respect; and may, upon like terms, enlarge the time for answer or de...

Excerpt: ... of the service of this order. All new allegations shall be in boldface. Explanation: Demurrer Defendant GM demurs to the fifth cause of action for "Fraudulent InducementConcealment” on the basis that it is barred by the three -year statute of limitations. (Code Civ. Pr oc. § 430.10, subd. (e).) Plaintiff purchased a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 truck on February 8, 2020 and this action was not filed until May 11, 2023. Defendant conten...

Excerpt: ...st the sufficiency of a plaintiff's pleading by raising questions of law. (Plumlee v. Poag (1984) 150 Cal.App.3d 541, 545.) The test is whether plaintiff has succeeded in stating a cause of action; the court does not concern itself with the issue of plaintiff's p ossible difficulty or inability in proving the allegations of his complaint. (Highlanders, Inc. v. Olsan (1978) 77 Cal.App.3d 690, 697.) In assessing the sufficiency of the complaint aga...

Excerpt: ... of the min ute order, a proposed judgment dismissing the first amended complaint as to the demurring defendant. Explanation: Plaintiff, S.C., sued the County of Fresno (County), KTDA Group Home, Inc. (Facility), and Does 3 through 25, in a revival action under Cod e of Civil Procedure section 340.1. S.C. alleges he was sexually abused and assaulted in foster care when he was minor, while under the defendants' legal custody, care, and contro...

Excerpt: ...he court previo usly denied the motion on the basis that defendant did not meet its burden to establish the independent contractor relationships between the parties. Defendant now moves for summary judgment or, alternatively, summary adjudication on the issue of its duty to plaintiffs with evidence obtained after the court ruled on the initial motion. (Code Civ. Proc. § 437c, subd. (f)(2).) Plaintiffs objection to hearing the second motion on it...

Excerpt: ... grant defendants Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission and Brian Angus's motion for dismissal. Defendants Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission and Brian Angus are directed to submit a proposed judgment within five days of service of the minute order consistent with the order. To deny the motion for judgment on the pleadings of the entirety of the second amended complaint. To grant the motion to bifurcate trial into a liabil...

Excerpt: ..., a nd 71 of the complaint. To deny the motion to strike the “Introduction and Summary of Case” from the complaint. To grant the motion to strike the references to attorney's fees from paragraphs 33, 38, 44, 52, 58, 64 of the complaint, and the prayer for re lief on the second cause of action, paragraph 8, the prayer for relief on the third cause of action, paragraph 7, the prayer for relief on the fourth cause of action, paragraph 8, the pra...

Excerpt: ...ded Complaint. The time in which the First Amended Complaint can be amended will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. All new allegations in the First Amended Complaint are to be set in boldface type. Explanation: Defendants demur to each cause of action asserted in the complaint for failing to state facts sufficient to state a claim and uncertainty. First Cause of Action – Discrimination Government Code section 12940, subdivision...

Excerpt: ... nonmeritorio us litigation meant to chill the valid exercise of the constitutional rights to petition or engage in free speech. (Code Civ. Proc., §425.16, subd. (a).) Plaintiff/crossdefendant prevailed on her anti -SLAPP motion as to the defendants/cross -complainants' cross complaint. The prevailing defendant on a special motion to strike “shall be entitled” to recover his or her attorney fees and costs, and this fee award is mandatory. (C...

Excerpt: ... 1207.) The cou rt does not decide the merits of the issues, but merely discovers, through the medium of affidavits or declarations, whether there are issues to be tried and whether the parties possess evidence that demands the analysis of a trial. (Melamed v City of Long Beach (1993) 15 Cal.App.4th 70, 76; Molko v Holy Spirit Ass'n (1988) 46 Cal.3d 1092, 1107; Schwoerer v Union Oil Co. (1993) 14 Cal.App.4th 103, 110.) In short, the motion is...

Excerpt: ..., 2024, a t 3:30 p.m., in order to allow the parties to meet and confer in person or by telephone, as required. If this resolves the issues, plaintiff's counsel shall call the court to take the motion off calendar. If it does not resolve the issues, plaintiff's coun sel shall file a declaration, on or before Wednesday, May 1, 2024, stating the efforts made. To grant and to award monetary sanctions in the total amount of $680 against defendant Sa...

Excerpt: ...the mo tion must then prove by a preponderance of evidence that a ground for denial of the motion exists (e.g., fraud, unconscionability, etc.). (Rosenthal v. Great Western Fin'l Securities Corp. (1996) 14 Cal.4th 394, 413- 414; Hotels Nevada v. L.A. Pacific Ctr. , Inc. (2006) 144 Cal.App.4th 754, 758; Villacreses v. Molinari (2005) 132 Cal.App.4th 1223, 1230.) There is a strong policy in favor of arbitration. (AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcio...

Excerpt: ... ag reement alleging the existence of a written agreement to arbitrate a controversy and that a party thereto refuses to arbitrate such controversy, the court shall order the petitioner and the respondent to arbitrate the controversy if it determines that an agreement to arbitrate the controversy exists, unless it determines that: (a) The right to compel arbitration has been waived by the petitioner; or (b) Grounds exist for the revocation of the...

Excerpt: ...d to submit to this court, within five days of service of the minute order, a proposed judgment consistent with the court's summary judgment order. To deny Dr. Levine's motion. Explanation: The plaintiffs, Dr. Sarah Yost and Kelly Yost, sued two surgeons, Dr. Derek Taggard a nd Dr. Nicholas Levine, and Fresno Community Hospital and Medical Center dba Community Regional Medical Center and Community Health System ("CRMC") after Dr....

Excerpt: ... to stay e nforcement of the money judgment against them individually together with their employer the County of Fresno. “Unless an undertaking is given, the perfecting of an appeal shall not stay enforcement of the judgment or order in the trial court if the judgm ent or order is for any of the following: [¶] (a) Money or the payment of money … .” (Code Civ. Proc. § 917.1, subd. (a).) Code of Civil Procedure section 995.220, states in re...

Excerpt: ... this o rder, with the time to run from the service of this minute order by the clerk. The matters specified in plaintiff's Requests for Admission, Set One, propounded on defendant Jose Lopez dba Jose's Lawns (“defendant”) are deemed admitted, unless defendant se rves, before the hearing, proposed responses to the requests for admission that are in substantial compliance with the Code of Civil Procedure, section 2033.220. Defendant shall ser...

Excerpt: ...ng (“DEFH”) issued a right to sue notice on July 6, 2021, which required plaintiff to commence a court action within one year from that date. Plaintiff has provided competing evidence, however, demonstrating that DFEH issued a right to sue notice on July 8, 2022 whic h addressed previous as well as newly alleged incidents. Measured from the July 8, 2022 right to sue notice, plaintiff's complaint is timely. Yet, Neil Jones' reply brief does no...

Excerpt: ... Offi ce. Defendants' counsel is to prepare proposed orders for the court to include this information, which shall be provided by plaintiff's counsel. To grant defendants attorney's fees in the sum of $2,063.75. (Code Civ. Proc., § 405.30.) Plaintiff shall pay the attorney's fees to defendants' attorney within 30 days of service of the order by the clerk. Explanation: A lis pendens may be expunged on the grounds of 1) a void and invalid lis pend...

Excerpt: ...te, in a writing signed by the parties outside the presence of the court or orally before the court, for settlement of the case, or part thereof, the court, upon motion, may enter judgment pursuant to the terms of the settlement. If requested by the parties, the court may retain jurisdiction over the parties to enforce the settlement until performance in full of the terms of the settlement.” “If the court determines that the parties entered i...

Excerpt: ...ttorney F ee Split Agreement. To approve the requested settlement administration fees of $4,250 to Phoenix Class Action Admiration. Explanation: Because an aggrieved employee's action under the [PAGA] functions as a substitute for an action brought by the governm ent itself, a judgment in that action binds all those, including nonparty aggrieved employees, who would be bound by a judgment in an action brought by the government. The act author...

Excerpt: ...nt (the "FAC") that he purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado (the "Vehicle") on April 5, 2019. The plaintiff alleges the defendant, General Motors LLC, ("GM") had exclusive knowledge that the Vehicle had a "Transmission Defect," based on multiple sources of information , including internal reports, customer complaints made directly to GM, and technical service bulletins. This information was not available to the pub...

Excerpt: ...reed to arbitrate.” (Garlach v. Sports Club Co. (2012) 209 Cal.App.4th 1497, 1505) “Thus, in ruling on a motion to compel arbitration, the court must first determine whether the parties actually agreed to arbitrate the dispute.” (Mendez v. Mid -Wilshire H ealth Care Center (2013) 220 Cal.App.4th 534, 541.) Defendant American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (“Honda”) moves to compel arbitration of plaintiffs' action pursuant to an arbitration cla...

Excerpt: ...�� a contract evidencing a transaction involving commerce to settle by arbitration a controversy thereafter arising out of such contract or transaction, or the refusal to perform the whole or any part thereof, … shall be valid, irrevocable, and enf orceable, save upon such grounds as exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract. (9 U.S.C. § 2.) “In recognition of Congress' principal purpose of ensuring that private arbitr...

Excerpt: ...gations shall be in boldface. Explanation: Defendant General Motors, LLC (“Defendant”) moves to strike the prayer for punitive damages from the Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”).1 Defendant argues that punitive damages are not authorized under the Song -Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, and unsupported by the allegations to satisfy Civil Code section 3294. Plaintiffs Ismael Sanchez and Esperanza Rios Velarde (collectively “Plaintiffs”) ag...

Excerpt: ...to enter a corrected judgment because the original judgment incorrectly states that defendant Charmla Capanaro has a 3.5% interest in the property, when in fact she has a 4% interest. Also, Charmla has now passed away, so the judgment needs to be corrected to substitute her testate and intestate successors as the property owners in her place. The court does have the power to correct clerical errors in its judgment. (In re Goldberg's Estate (1938)...

Excerpt: ... acti on and the prayer for attorney's fees. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subd. (e).) To sustain the general demurrer to the sixth and seventh causes of action. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subd. (e).) Plaintiff is granted 10 days' leave to file the Second Amended Complaint, which will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. New allegations/language must be set in boldface type. To deny the motion to strike. To grant defendant's request...

Excerpt: ...laintiff, payable within 20 days of the date of this order, with the time to run from the service of this minute order by the clerk. The matters specified in defendant's Requests for Admission, Set One, propounded on plaintiff are deemed admitted, un less plaintiff serves, before the hearing, proposed responses to the requests for admission that re in substantial compliance with the Code of Civil Procedure, section 2033.220. Plaintiff shall serv...

Excerpt: ...ternative request to consolidate the actions, as a complete consolidation for all purposes, including trial and discovery. The lead case will be number 22CECG01601. Defendant is ordered to file and serve a notice of entry of this ord er in all actions, properly captioned with all case names and numbers. Other than this, all further documents filed in the case shall be filed only in the lead case, and shall include the caption and case number o...

Excerpt: ...0 , subd. (e).) The time in which the complaint may be amended will run from service of the order by the clerk. All new allegations are to be placed in boldface type. To deny the motion to strike punitive damages allegations. (Code Civ. Proc., § 436.) Ex planation: Defendants demur to the third through ninth causes of action, and move to strike the punitive damages allegations from the First Amended Complaint (“FAC”). Demurrer Claims Against...

Excerpt: ....00. To appoint CPT Group, Inc. as settlement administrator and approve costs to administer in the amount of $8,000.00. Plaintiffs are directed to submit a new proposed order. Explanation: 1. Introduction Under Labor Code section 2699, “[t]he supe rior court shall review and approve any settlement of any civil action filed pursuant to [PAGA]. The proposed settlement shall be submitted to the agency at the same time that it is submitted to the ...

Excerpt: ...on Under Labor Code section 2699, “[t]he superior court shall review and approve any settlement of any civil action filed pursuant to [PAGA]. The proposed settlement shall be submitted to the agency at the same time that it is submitted to the court.” (Lab. Code, § 2699, subd. (i)(2).) The statute does not explain what exactly the trial court should consider when reviewing a proposed PAGA settlement. However, recently the Court of Appeal in...

Excerpt: ...ve costs to administer in the amount of $3,250.00. Plaintiff is directed to submit a new proposed order. Explanation: 1. Introduction Under Labor Code section 2699, “[t]he superior court shall review and approve any settlement of any civil action filed pursuant to [PAGA]. The proposed settlement shall be submitted to the agency at the same time that it is submitted to the court.” (Lab. Code, § 2699, subd. (i)(2).) ‘“‘A representative ...

Excerpt: ...s from the date of service of the order by the clerk, to counsel for defendants Hope Benites Serna and Fernando Serna. Explanation: On September 6, 2023, defendants Hope Benites Serna and Fernando Serna (collectively “Defendants”) filed a Request for Pr etrial Discovery Conference, consistent with Fresno Superior Court Local Rules, Rule 2.1.17 regarding disputes between the parties on discovery. On September 25, 2023, noting that plaintiff A...

Excerpt: ... v. Woodward -Clyde & Assocs. (1985) 38 Cal.3d 488, 499 (Tech -BIlt)) include “a rough approximation of plaintiffs' total recovery and the settlor's proportionate liability, the amount paid in settlement, the allocation of settlement proceeds among plaintiffs, a nd a recognition that a settlor should pay less in settlement than he would if he were found liable after a trial. Other relevant considerations include the financial condition...

Excerpt: ... for relief.” However, this misstates the holding of Gribin Von Dyl & Associates, Inc. v. Kovalsky (1986) 185 Cal.App.3d 653. There, the court said a party seeking relief “under a court's equity power must make a stronger showing than is necessary to obtain relief under section 473.” (Id. at p. 660, emphasis added.) It did not find that the showing for a request for relief based on “mistake, inadvertence, or excusable neglect” unde...

Excerpt: ... the special interrogatories. However, the court will grant sanctions against HTV for its unjustified failure to serve timely responses to the discovery, in the amount of $585. HTV shall pay sanctions to Varo within 30 days of the date of ser vice of this order. HTV's request for sanctions against Varo is denied. Explanation: The court intends to deny Varo's motion to compel initial responses to special interrogatories, as HTV has now served ver...

Excerpt: ...f ser vice of the minute order, a proposed judgment consistent with the court's summary judgment order. Explanation: Admiral moves for summary judgment or in the alternative, for summary adjudication as to the first and second causes of action in the Fourth A mended Complaint for breach of contract and breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Evidentiary Objections and Requests for Judicial Notice Admiral's evidentiary objectio...

Excerpt: ...beer bottles on plaintiff's property. Second, on June 4, 2023, the entrance gate was left open. Third, on January 22, 2024, the entrance gate was closed, but not securely latched. Fourth, and primarily, defendants are driving on the dirt road, and the Behrens improved the roadway by paving and grading (though plaintiff only seeks to have defendants stick to the easement boundaries). An injunction may be granted “[w]hen it appears by the complai...

Excerpt: ...ocedur e section 473, which gives the courts power to permit amendments in furtherance of justice, has received a very liberal interpretation by the courts of this state.... In spite of this policy of liberality, a court may deny a good amendment in proper form w here there is unwarranted delay in presenting it.... On the other hand, where there is no prejudice to the adverse party, it may be an abuse of discretion to deny leave to amend.' [Citat...

Excerpt: ...on: Plaintiffs in this action allege various causes of action, including wage and hour violations, stemming from the defendants' alleged misclassification of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologists as 1099 independent contractors. On 12/16/2022, defendant CRAMG filed a Voluntary Petition for Non -Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy under Chapter 7 (“Bankruptcy Petition”). (UMF 3.) On 1/12/2023, defendants filed a Notice of Bankrupt...

Excerpt: ...amended complaint within 10 days of the date of service of this minute order by the clerk. All new allegations shall be in boldface. Explanation: Plaintiff PM Transport, Inc. (“Plaintiff”) filed a Complaint regarding the lease of two trailers. The C omplaint states six causes of action: (1) breach of contract; (2) breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (3) negligence; (4) unjust enrichment; (5) conversion; (6) violation o...

Excerpt: ...ement alleging the existence of a written agreement to arbitrate a controversy and that a party thereto refuses to arbitrate such controversy, the court shall order the petitioner and the respondent to arbitrate the controversy if it determines that an agreement to arbitrate the controversy exists, unless it determines that: (a) The right to compel arbitration has been waived by the petitioner; or (b) Grounds exist for the revocation of the agree...

Excerpt: ...cument included in defendant's request for judicial notice. (Evid. Code, § 452, subd. (d).) Explanation: Defendant moves to set aside his default on the ground of inadvertence, surprise, mistake, and excusable neglect under Code of Civil Procedure, section 473, subdivision (b). The trial court has broad discretion to vacate the judgment and/or the clerk's entry of default that preceded it. However, that discretion can be exercised only if the mo...

Excerpt: ...ted 30 days' leave to Þle the Þrst amended complaint. The time in which the complaint can be amended will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. New allegations/language in the Þrst amended complaint are to be set in boldface type. To Þnd moot defendant's motion to strike the prayer for punitive damages in light of the ruling sustaining the demurrer to all causes of action. Explanation: In California, a complaint shall contain a s...

Excerpt: ...hich the complaint may be amended will run from service of the order by the clerk. All new allegations shall be in boldface type. Oral argument shall be heard on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. in Department 503. Explanation: A party may Þle a general demurrer on claims that “[t]he pleading does not state facts su
¯icient to constitute a cause of action.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 430.10, subd. (e); Estate of Moss (2012) 204 Cal.App.4th 5...

Excerpt: ... s er v i c e o f th i s o rd e r. A ll n ew all egati o n s s h a ll b e i n b o l d face. E x p l an ati o n : C ross - defendant Mutari demurs to the Þrst cross-claim for breach of contract on the ground that it fails to state a cause of action against it, as Mutari was not a party to the purchase agreement that forms the basis for the cause of action. Mutari points out that the cross-complaint only alleges a purchase agreement to buy the sub...

Excerpt: ...e court does not concern itself with the issue of plainti
¯'s p o s s i b l e d i
¯iculty or inability in proving the allegations of their complaint. (Gruenberg v. Aetna Ins. Co. (1973) 9 Cal.3d 566, 572; Highlanders, Inc. v. Olsan (1978) 77 Cal.App.3d 690, 697.) The complaint is liberally construed (Rodas v. Spiegel (2001) 87 Cal.App.4th 513, 517; Code Civ. Proc., § 452), which “means that the reviewing court draws inferences favorable to t...

Excerpt: ...t in the total amount o $1,875. Monetary sanctions are ordered to be paid within 30 calendar days rom the date o service o the minute order by the clerk. Explanation: On January 3, 2024, this motion was continued when the parties Þled a joint statement indicating that the they had agreed to schedule the deposition or on or beore January 31, 2024. The court has not received an update rom the parties and the matter was not taken o
¯ calend...

Excerpt: ...Sanctions: First, plainti
¯'s motion is defective, since plainti
¯ never Þled or served a notice of motion as required by California Rules of Court, rules 3.1110 and 3.1112. “A notice of motion must state in the opening paragraph the nature of the order being sought and the grounds for issuance of the order.” (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1110(a). The motion must also identify the party or parties bringing the motion; name the parties to wh...

Excerpt: ...this motion within 10 days of the clerk's service of the minute order. Explanation: The policy favoring amendment is so strong that denial of leave to amend can rarely be justiÞed: “If the motion to amend is timely made and the granting of the motion will not prejudice the opposing party, it is error to refuse permission to amend and where the refusal also results in a party being deprived of the right to assert a meritorious cause of action o...

Excerpt: ... 3 Cal. 5th 531, 549, citing Labor Code section 2599(1)(2) ["The superior court shall review and approve any settlement of any civil action filed pursuant to this part. The proposed settlement shall be submitted to the agency at the same time that it is submitted to the court."]) The trial court is to "evaluate a PAGA settlement to determine whether it is fair, reasonable, and adequate in view of PAGA's purposes to remediate present labor law vio...

Excerpt: ...ction brought by the government. The act authorizes a representative action only for the purpose of seeking statutory penalties for Labor Code violations (Lab.Code, section 2699, subds. (a), (g)), and an action to recover civil penalties 'is fundamentally a law enforcement action designed to protect the public and not to benefit private parties. Oskanian v. CLS Transportation Los Angeles, LLC (2014) 59 Cal.4th 348, 381.) A PAGA representative act...

Excerpt: ...subd. (e).) Moving parties shall submit to this court, within seven days of service of the minute order, a proposed judgment dismissing the action as to them. Explanation: Plaintiff alleges that she was discriminated against based on her race in her employment with Omni Family Health Organization. She sues Omni and three Omni employees (Joseph Hayes, Aurora Cooper and Gloria Pacleb) for (1) hostile work environment racial harassment; failure to p...

Excerpt: ...cted to submit a proposed judgment. Explanation: Tax Costs On August 29, 2023, judgment was entered in the consolidated matter in favor of defendant Haight Brown & Bonesteel, LLP ("Defendant") and against plaintiff Hallmark Specialty Insurance Company ("Hallmark") following the granting of a motion for nonsuit. Defendant filed a memorandum of costs for $122,662.55. Hallmark seeks to tax those costs. Specifically, Hallmark objects to certain entri...

Excerpt: ...ayra Corina Gonzalez is directed to submit a new proposed order. To set a status conference for Thursday, July 16, 2024, 3:30 p.m. in Department 503. Explanation: 1. Class Certification The court has already granted the motion for preliminary approval and certification of the class and found that the class is sufficiently numerous and ascertainable to warrant certification for the purpose of approving the settlement. There is no reason for the co...

Excerpt: ... injunction. The matter is not being heard on an ex parte basis. A preliminary injunction may be granted any time before judgment upon affidavits that show sufficient grounds, and notice to the opposing parties. (Code Civ. Proc. S 527, subd. (a).) Generally, the complaint must set forth a cause of action for injunctive relief to support the issuance of a preliminary injunction. (See Code Civ. Proc. S 526, subd. (a)(1)-(2).) However, a preliminary...

Excerpt: ...ustin Harris only, including the language "and/or Defendant Harris" contained in paragraph 74. Explanation: Objection The court sustains the hearsay objection to paragraph 10 of the Aretakis Declaration. Ant-SLAPP A SLAPP suit (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation) is a suit brought "primarily to chill the valid exercise of constitutional rights of freedom of speech and petition for redress of grievances." (Code Civ. Proc., S 425.16,...

Excerpt: ...or about November 5, 2020, Plaintiff, a minor, was a guest at the home of defendants Jason Mengior Pritchard Sr., Jason M Pritchard II, David Garrett and Desiree Garrett. Defendants allegedly gave alcoholic beverages to plaintiff and provided more alcohol after plaintiff was obviously intoxicated. Plaintiff left the location, apparently on foot, and was struck by a car. The parties are all in agreement that plaintiff's negligence claim relies on ...

Excerpt: ...tate facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, with leave to amend. Plaintiffs shall serve and file their third amended complaint within ten days of the date of service of this order. All new allegations shall be in boldface. Explanation: CSU and the Association's Demurrer to Third Cause of Acton: Defendants demur to the third cause of action for intentional interference with contractual relationship on the ground that they are not "stran...

Excerpt: ...ayra Corina Gonzalez is directed to submit a new proposed order. To set a status conference for Thursday, July 11, 2024, 3:30 p.m. in Department 503. Explanation: 1. Class Certification The court has already granted the motion for preliminary approval and certification of the class and found that the class is sufficiently numerous and ascertainable to warrant certification for the purpose of approving the settlement. There is no reason for the co...

Excerpt: ...in the total amount of $1,875. Monetary sanctions are ordered to be paid within 30 calendar days from the date of service of the minute order by the clerk. Explanation: Objections The court overrules plaintiff's objections to paragraphs 5 and 8-12 of the Brar Declaration. Motion to Compel Attendance On April 25, 2023, plaintiff served a Notice of Deposition for General Motors' ("GM") Person Most Qualified ("PMQ") for May 23, 2023. (Sanjur-Van Bra...

Excerpt: ...(a).) Explanation: Defendant Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin's (hereinafter "Defendant) motions cannot be granted, because its service of the subject discovery: form interrogatories, special interrogatories and document requests and these motion papers is defective. Defendant indicates that it, through its former counsel Rayma Church of Church Law Group, Inc., served the subject discovery requests directly on plaintiff M.S. on September 1, 2022, ...

Excerpt: ...sion (a), "The court may, in furtherance of justice, and on any terms as may be proper, allow a party to amend any pleading or proceeding by adding or striking out the name of any party, or by correcting a mistake in the name of a party, ora mistake in any other respect; and may, upon like terms, enlarge the time for answer or demurrer. The court may likewise, in its discretion, after notice to the adverse party, allow, upon any terms as may be j...

Excerpt: ...to this department, with all dollar amounts filled in, within 5 days of the clerk's service of this order. To set a hearing at December 4, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. in Department 503 as a hearing date for an Amended Judgment pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 384. A verified report of payouts of settlement funds and a proposed amended judgment shall be submitted no later than November 18, 2024. Explanation: "Before final approval, the court mus...

Excerpt: ...he demurrer to the complaint and first amended complaint are rendered moot by plaintiff's filing of the second amended complaint. The court intends to sign the proposed order lodged on July 20, 2023. Explanation: Defendant Farmers Insurance demurs to the sole cause of action stemming from a motor vehicle acc:ident, contending that the complaint, first amended complaint, and second amended complaint fail to state cause of action, there is a nonjoi...

Excerpt: ...ative Ruling: To deny defendant Admiral Insurance Company's ("Admiral") motions for an order deeming requests to admit truth of facts against plaintiff Shaw Creek Homeowners Association admitted, and to compel plaintiff's responses to Form Interrogatories, Set Two, Special Interrogatories, Set Two, and Request for Production of Documents, Set Two, since plaintiff responded to the discovery requests on August 18, 2023. To award monetary sanctions ...

Excerpt: ...the First Amended Complaint, which will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. Explanation: Defendant SMART Sheet Metal Workers' Local Union No. 104 moved for summary judgment of plaintiff Earl Riley's complaint on the basis that there is no triable issue of material fact and defendant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The operative complaint was filed on March 16, 2022. Defendant filed its answer generally denying the alleg...

Excerpt: ...portation Authority's Request for Judicial Notice Tentative Ruling: To grant respective requests for judicial notice. To grant motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff is directed to submit to this court, within 5 days of service of the minute order, a proposed judgment consistent with the court's summary judgment order. Explanation: Each request for judicial notice was unopposed. The matters of which judicial notce was requested to be taken consis...

Excerpt: ...well as attorneys' fees under the franchise agreements. On 2/11/21 the court granted DDR's ex parte application for temporary restraining order and OSC re preliminary injunction. On 3/30/31 the court granted a preliminary injunction prohibitng plaintiff from displaying certain signage in his Deli Delicious restaurants, purchasing or serving bread from unapproved vendors, serving food in unapproved packaging, and required defendant to display requ...

Excerpt: ...iate Athletic Ass'n (1994) 7 Cal.4th 1, 26.) To grant the motion to compel further responses to Form Interrogatories, Set One, as to Request Nos. 1.1, 3.3, 3.6, 4.1, 4.2, and 15.1, and to deny as to Request Nos. 50.1-50.5. (Code Civ. Proc., S 2031.310, 2030.300.) Defendant shall serve verified supplemental responses without objections as specified above within 30 days of the date of service of this order. Explanation: Plaintiff moves to compel de...

Excerpt: ...: Demurrer The function of a demurrer is to test the sufficiency of a plaintiff's pleading by raising questions of law. (Plumlee v. Poag (1984) 150 Cal.App.3d 541, 545.) The test is whether plaintiff has succeeded in stating a cause of action; the court does not concern itself with the issue of plaintiff's possible difficulty or inability in proving the allegations of his complaint. (Highlanders, Inc. v. Olsan (1978) 77 Cal.App.3d 690, 597.) In a...

Excerpt: ...elease in a related matter to the present action. Plaintiffs seek this relief pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 187, which grants a trial court the inherent authority to control litigation procedure. In seeking to invoke the trial court's inherent authority, Plaintiffs submit that a waiver provision in a related matter may be applicable to the present matter. The waiver provision purports to be a settlement agreement between Plaintiffs ...

Excerpt: ...liction of emotional distress, among others, all of which took place at the residence and with knowledge of the other defendants. Defendants Ravinder, Harbans and Parmjit Taggar ("Parents"), and Sahara SRL, Inc. ("Sahara SRL") now move for summary judgment, or in the alternative for summary adjudication. The Complaint asserts the following causes of action: 1. Sexual Battery (Civ. Code, S 1708.5) against Ravinder; 2. Domestic Violence (Civ. Code,...

Excerpt: ...brought by the government. The act authorizes a representative action only for the purpose of seeking statutory penalties for Labor Code violations (Lab.Code, section 2699, subds. (a), (g)), and an action to recover civil penalties 'is fundamentally a law enforcement action designed to protect the public and not to benefit private parties. (Iskanian v. CLS Transportation Los Angeles, LLC (2014) 59 Cal.4th 348, 381.) A PAGA representative action i...

Excerpt: ..., consists in restraining the commission or continuance of the act complained of, either for a limited period or perpetually. (2) When it appears by the complaint or affidavits that the commission or continuance of some act during the litigation would produce waste, or great or irreparable injury, to a party to the action. (3) When it appears, during the litigation, that a party to the action is doing, or threatens, or is about to do, or is procu...

Excerpt: ...se the curb on which she tripped was not a dangerous condition, or even if it was, it was an open and obvious condition and thus defendant had no duty to warn plaintiff of it or remedy the condition. However, the question of whether a condition is dangerous, and whether it is open and obvious, is generally an issue of fact for the jury to decide. "Civil Code secton 1714, subdivision (a), provides in relevant part: 'Every one is responsible, not o...

Excerpt: ... defendant SWH Mimi's Café', LLC to respond to the second set of form interrogatories, without objections. Defendant shall serve verified responses without objections within 10 days of the date of service of this order. To grant the motion to deem SWH Mimi's Café, LLC to have admitted the truth of the matters and the genuineness of all documents in the requests for admissions. Defendants are deemed to have waived all objections to the requests ...

Excerpt: ...ause of action on the ground that defendant cannot ascertain whether the contract is written, oral or implied by conduct. (Code Civ. Proc. S 430.10, subd. To sustain the general demurrer to each cause of action, on the ground that each of them fails to state facts sufficient to adequately state a cause of action. (Code Civ. Prcyc., S 430.10, subd. (e).) Plaintiff is granted 30 days' leave to file the first amended complaint, which will run from s...

Excerpt: ...operty alleges is in the possession of defendant Colby McMillin ("Defendant"). On filing the complaint, a plaintiff may apply for a writ of possession under the claim and delivery statutes. (Code Civ. Proc. S 511.010 et seq.) The plaintiff must file a written application, executed under oath and must include: (1) a showng of the basis of the plaintiff's claim, that plaintiff is entitled to possession of the claimed property, and where the claim i...

Excerpt: ...ified responses, without objections, to the defendant's Form Interrogatories, Set One, Special Interrogatories, Set One, and Demand for Production, Set One, no later than 15 court days from the date of this order, with the time to run from the service of this minute order by the clerk. To award monetary sanctions in the total amount of $842.50 in favor of the defendant, Delno Terrace, lnc„ and against the plaintiff, Latanisha Lark, payable with...

Excerpt: ... will be made, and the papers, if any, upon which it is to be based." (Code Civ. Proc., S 1010.) "A notice of moton must state in the opening paragraph the nature of the order being sought and the grounds for issuance of the order." (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1110(a).) Here, defendant Jose Preciado has reserved a date and time for hearing for one motionl and served a notice of motion providing as follows: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that defendant J...

Excerpt: ...ry Defendants/cross-complainants request the court continue the special motion to strike their cross- complaint so that they may conduct limited discovery. They argue that they have propounded discovery on plaintiff/cross-defendant regarding the issues of whether plaintiff/cross-defendant has made defamatory statements outside of her complaint and where plaintiff/cross-defendant lived and worked since 2015. Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16,...

Excerpt: ...lic entity for allegations that it created a dangerous condition causing injury, a plaintiff must establish " '[II that the property was in a dangerous condition at the time of the injury, [2] that the injury was proximately caused by the dangerous condition, [3] that the dangerous condition created a reasonably foreseeable risk of the kind of injury which was incurred, and [9] [4] [that the] public entity had actual or constructive notice of the...

Excerpt: ...Plaintiffs Ismael Sanchez and Esperanza Rios Velarde shall serve and file an amended complaint within ten (10) days of the date of service of this order. All new allegations shall be in boldface. Explanation: Demurrer Defendant General Motors, LLC ("Defendant") demurs to the fifth cause of action, for fraudulent concealment of the First Amended Complaint ("FAC") by Plaintiffs Ismael Sanchez and Esperanza Rios Velarde (collectively "Plaintiffs"). ...

Excerpt: ...superior court shall review and approve any settlement of any civil action filed pursuant to this part. The proposed settlement shall be submitted to the agency at the same tme that it is submitted to the court."]) The trial court is to "evaluate a PAGA settlement to determine whether it is fair, reasonable, and adequate in view of PAGA's purposes to remediate present labor law violations, deter future ones, and to maximize enforcement of state l...

Excerpt: ... vehicle ensued which form the basis of the instant complaint for damages. Plaintiff brought three causes of achon against defendant Hyundai Motor America ("Defendant"), for breach of express warranties afforded through the Song-Beverly Act; breach of implied warranties afforded through the Songaeverly Act, and violation of secton 1793.2 of the Civil Ctxle.l The agreement is a retail installment sales contract ("RISC") made Plaintiff and a non-pa...

Excerpt: ...l records filed on May 5, 2023 as part of defendant Angelica Jimenez M.D.'S motion for summary adjudication. Plaintiff has met the requirements of Rule of Court 2.550 with regard to the sealing of documents. Under Rule of Court 2.550, subdivision (c), "Unless confidentiality is required by law, court records are presumed to be open." (Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 2.550, subd. "A record must not be filed under seal without a court order. The court mu...

Excerpt: ...t interest must timely ask the court to determine if it is entitled to such interest. (North Oakland Medical Clinic v. Rogers (1998) 55 Cal.App.4th 824, 829-830 ("North Oakland").) In North Oakland, the court considered the issue of whether plaintiffs had timely filed their motion for prejudgment interest. (See ld. at p. 829.) The parties and the court agreed that "no statute or rule of court establishes a procedure for requesting an award of pre...

Excerpt: ...et seq. Defendant Britz Farming Corporation now seeks an order compelling plaintiff to private arbitration of his PAGA claim as an individual, and to stay the representative portion of the PAGA claim brought on of all aggrieved employees. A trial court is required to grant a moton to compel arbitration "if it determines that an agreement to arbitrate the controversy exists." Civ. Proc., S 1281.2.) However, there is "no public policy in favor of f...

Excerpt: ...hin the next 120 days. Explanation: Under Code of Civil Procedure section 36, subdivision (a), A party to a civil action who is over 70 years of age may petition the court for a preference, which the court shall grant if the court makes both of the following findings: (1) The party has a substantial interest in the achon as a whole. (2) The health of the party is such that a preference is necessary to prevent prejudicing the party's interest in t...

Excerpt: ...equests for Production, Set One. (Code Civ. Proc. S 2031.320, subd. (a).) The documents shall be served no later than 30 days from the date of this order, with time to run from the service of this minute order by the clerk. To deny the request for sanctions pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 2031.310, subdivision (h). Explanation: The motion at bench was calendared as a motion to compel initial responses to discovery. However, the moving...

Excerpt: ...names of the arbitrators; and (c) set forth or have attached a copy of the award and the written opinion of the arbitrators, if any. Misaghi has complied with these requirements. Thus, unless pro#rly moves to vacate, correct or dismiss the petition, the court must confirm the arbitration award and enter judgment thereon. (Code Civ. Proc., SS 1286; 1287.4; Eternity Investments, Inc. v. Brown (2W7) 151 Cal.App.4th 739, 744-45.) Deli Delicious agree...

Excerpt: ...11-16.) The court disagrees. The court granted plaintiff an order shortening tme at the ex parte hearing, with the added proviso that "[nlew filings will flow from the new hearing date." However, this did not require plaintiff to refile his motion. Rather, the court's order effectively advanced plaintiff's hearing date from January 18, 2024, to October 17, 2023 (which was then continued again to October 19, 2023). The court's direction regarding ...

Excerpt: ...: Demurrer — General Principles A party may file a general demurrer on claims that "[t]he pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action." (Code Civ. Proc., S 430.10, subd. (e); Estate of Moss (2012) 204 Cal.App.4th 521, 535 [ "'A demurrer can be utilized where the complaint itself is incomplete . [Citations.]" l.) In essence, "to withstand a demurrer, a complaint must allege ultimate facts, not evidentiary facts or co...

Excerpt: ...]he superior court shall review and approve any settlement of any civil action filed pursuant to [PAGA]. The proposed settlement shall be submitted to the agency at the same time that it is submitted to the court." (Lab. Code, S 2699, subd. (i)(2).) representative action under PAGA is not a class action% and is instead a 'type of qui tam action', a standard requiring the trial court to determine inde#ndently whether a PAGA settlement is fair and ...

Excerpt: ... further responses to her requests for production of documents, set one, special interrogatories, set one, and form interrogatories — employment, set one. To deny plaintiff's request for monetary sanctions against defendant and its counsel. To grant monetary sanctions against plaintiff and her counsel, in the amount of $1,350. Plaintiff shall pay sanctions to defendant within 30 days of the date of service of this order. Explanation: Under Code...

Excerpt: ...trate." (Garlach v. Sports Club Co. (2012) 209 Cal.App.4th 1497, 1505) "Thus, in ruling on a motion to compel arbitration, the court must first determine whether the parties actually agreed to arbitrate the dispute." (Mendez v. Mid- Wilshire Health Care Center (2013) 220 Cal.App.4th 534, 541.) Defendant American Honda Motor Co., Inc. ("Honda") moves to compel arbitration of plaintiffs' action pursuant to an arbitration clause in the retail instal...