Excerpt: ...Emeline Pano will be dismissed as a defendant in plaintiff's Complaint. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2023.030, subd. (d)(3).) Explanation: Plaintiff has a history of failing to comply with discovery obligations in this action, and appears to have abandoned this action. On August 10, 2023, and October 10, 2023, defendant Emeline Pano served plaintiff with deposition notices. Plaintiff never objected, but failed to appear on both occasions. On August 30, 2...

Excerpt: ...e order. Explanation: A general demurrer is sustained where the pleading is insufficient to state a cause of action or is incomplete. (Code Civ. Proc., § 430.10, subd. (e); Estate of Moss (2012) 204 Cal.App.4th 521, 535.) A special demurrer, though disfavored, is nevertheless sustained where a pleading is so uncertain that the defendant cannot reasonably respond to the subject pleading. (Khoury v. Maly's of Calif., Inc. (1993) 14 Cal.App.4th 612...

Excerpt: ...aint, which will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. New allegations/language must be set in boldface type. To overrule the special demurrer for uncertainty. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subd. (f).) Explanation: 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., § 430.10, subd. (e); Estate of Moss (2012) 204 Cal.App.4th 521, 535...

Excerpt: ...tiff Kimberly White are ordered to appear at the hearing on this motion. Explanation: Healthcare providers must possess and exercise “that reasonable degree of skill, knowledge, and care ordinarily possessed and exercised by members of the medical profession under si milar circumstances.” (Mann v. Cracchiolo (1985) 38 Cal.3d 18, 36.) Thus, in any medical malpractice action, the plaintiff must establish: “(1) the duty of the professional to ...

Excerpt: ...planation: Corporations may not represent themselves before the court in propria persona, nor can corporations represent themselves through their officers, directors, or any other employee who is not an attorney. (CLD Construction, Inc. v. City of San Ramon (2 004) 120 Cal.App.4th 1141, 1145.) Corporations must be represented by an appropriately licensed attorney in court proceedings. (CLD Construction, Inc. v. City of San Ramon, supra, 120 Cal.A...

Excerpt: ...984) 158 Cal.Ap p.3d 524, 526), the expiration of the time period is considered “‘jurisdictional' in the sense that it renders the court without authority to rule on motions to compel other than to deny them.” (Sexton v. Superior Court (1997) 58 Cal.App.4th 1403, 1410 (S exton) [referring to the 45- day statutory time limit]; see also Vidal Sassoon Inc. v. Superior Court (1983) 147 Cal.App.3d 681, 684 (Sassoon); Standon Co. v. Superior Cour...

Excerpt: ...ice, Lazy Dog Restaurants, LLC's motion to bifurcate the contractual interpretation causes of action within the cross -complaints filed by Element Security Solutions, Inc. and Manco Abbott, Inc. from the issues of liability and damages. Explanation: Under Code of Civ il Procedure section 598, court is given great discretion in regard to the order of issues at trial: The court may, when the convenience of witnesses, the ends of justice, or the ec...

Excerpt: ...tion: Fee A ward Plaintiff Ricardo Regalado Ceja (“Plaintiff”) seeks an award of attorney fees. Under what statutory authority Plaintiff seeks an award of fees is unclear. The moving papers appear to suggest that the parties stipulated to seek an award of fees and cos ts under a settlement agreement not in evidence on the present motion. Instead, counsel for Plaintiff submits into evidence 15 irrelevant orders from other cases in other jurisd...

Excerpt: ...sire to a mend, the First Amended Complaint shall be filed within ten (10) days from the date of this order. The new amendments shall be in bold print. Should plaintiff elect not to file an amended pleading within that time period, demurring defendants shall file responsive pleadings within twenty (20) days from the date of this order. Explanation: In deciding a demurrer, the court is guided by well -established principles that the test is whe...

Excerpt: ...-24; page 1 9, lines 6-11; and page 19, line 27, with leave to amend. (Code Civ. Proc., § 436; Civ. Code, § 3294.) Plaintiff is granted 20 days' leave to file the third amended complaint. The time to file the third amended complaint will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. All new allegations in the third amended complaint are to be set in boldface type. Explanation: Demurrer Retaliation/Discrimination Defendants, India Oven, I...

Excerpt: ... FAC alleges two ca uses of action, for premises liability, and general negligence, based on Plaintiff's use of a recreational area on October 30, 2018, in the prison, wherein Plaintiff alleges having stepped into a gopher hole causing injury. A trial court shall grant summary judgment where there are no triable issues of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. (Code Civ. Proc. §437c(c); Schacter v. Citigro...

Excerpt: ...425.10, subd. (b).) But the defendant may, at any time, serve a request on plaintiff for a Statement of Damages (mandatory Jud. Counc. Form CIV -050) setting forth the nature and amount of damages being sought. (Code Civ. Proc., § 425.11, subd. (b).) Once such a d emand is served, plaintiff has 15 days to serve the responsive statement. If that response is not served, defendant may file a noticed motion and petition the court to order plaintiff...

Excerpt: ...e Civ. Proc., § 583.310.) “An action shall be dismissed by the court on its own motion or on motion of the defendant, after notice to the parties, if the action is not brought to trial within the time prescribed in this article.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 583.360, sub d. (a).) “The requirements of this article are mandatory and are not subject to extension, excuse, or exception except as expressly provided by statute.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 58...

Excerpt: ...anati on: Code of Civil Procedure section 2023.010 defines “misuses of the discovery process” as including, “failing to respond or submit to an authorized method of discovery” and “disobeying a court order to provide discovery.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 2023.010, su bds. (d) & (g).) Code of Civil Procedure section 2023.030 states, in relevant part: To the extent authorized by the chapter governing any particular discovery method or any o...

Excerpt: ...0 et seq. , may be awarded reasonable attorney's fees and costs in the court's discretion. (Govt. Code §12965, subd. (c)(6).) Plaintiff prevailed at trial and moves for an award of attorney's fees and costs. In her motion for attorney's fees, plaintiff requests an award of fees in the amount of $130,672.50, reflecting a 1.5 multiplier applied to the lodestar of $87,115.00, and litigation costs in the amount of $2,723.61. Defendant does not oppo...

Excerpt: ...of the proposed settlement. An agreement of the parties is not sufficient to establish a class for settlement purposes. There must be an independent assessment by a neutral court of evidence showing that a class action is proper. (Luckey v. Superior Court (2014) 228 Cal.App.4th 81, 93- 95.) “Class certification requires proof (1) of a sufficiently numerous, ascertainable class, (2) of a well - defined community of interest, and (3) that certi...

Excerpt: ... a right of first refusal to buy the remaining properties owned by the Virginia Shubin Barnett Living Trust for $12,500. (Exhibit D to Mireles decl., p. 2, ¶¶ 5.1, 6.) Plaintiff was to pay off the delinquent taxes on the properties, including $97,842.04 payable to Fresno County, $28,078.00 to the federal government, and $4,057.00 to the state. (Ibid.) Plaintiff was to pay the remaining balance of $120,022.96 to the Trust over five years. (Ibi...

Excerpt: ...e Thir d Amended Complaint. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subd. (e).) To deny the motion to strike as moot. To set a hearing for Thursday, May 16, 2024, 3:30 p.m. in Department 502 to determine why a final leave to amend should not be granted. A supplemental opposi tion and reply may be filed in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure section 1005. Explanation: On November 2, 2023, plaintiff California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges and Hea...

Excerpt: ...ch was entered in favor of Plaintiff against defendants Larry Oakander and Patricia Oakander (collectively “Defendants”). The First Amended Complaint stated one remaining cause of action against Defendants, for breach of installment note. On September 15, 202 3, Plaintiff timely lodged a Memorandum of Costs. On October 2, 2023, Defendants timely filed the instant motion to tax costs. Defendants object to each entry, in part, due to a lack of...

Excerpt: ...laration is ruled upon as follows: Objection No. 4 is sustained for improper legal conclusion. Objection Nos. 5 and 8 are sustained for irrelevance and lack of foundation. Objection Nos. 9, 14 -16 are sustained for improper legal conclusion. Objection Nos. 10 -12 are su stained for lack of personal knowledge. Objection No. 17 is sustained for lack of foundation. Objection No. 18- 20 are sustained for lack of personal knowledge. Objection No. 21 i...

Excerpt: ..., with leave to amend. Plaintiff shall serve and file his first amended complaint within 10 days of the date of service of this order. All new allegations shall be in boldface. Explanation: Demurrer First, to the extent that plaintiff seeks to state a clai m against defendant William Smittcamp, he has not alleged any facts showing that he was employed by Mr. Smittcamp, had a contractual or other relationship with him, or that Mr. Smittcamp did ...

Excerpt: ...e “tantamoun t to no responses at all[]” (Appleton v. Superior Court (1988) 206 Cal.App.3d 632, 636), plaintiff's oppositions to the subject discovery motions notes that the verifications were served with the attendant oppositions – a representation not challenged in t he replies. Monetary sanctions are typically awardable under such circumstances. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1348(a); Sinaiko Healthcare Consulting, Inc. v. Pacific He...

Excerpt: ...t 17, 2023, the court sustains the objections to Exhibit A and the reference to the same in paragraph 6. The court overrules the objection to paragraph 5. Regarding the Declaration of Martin Martin filed February 7, 2024, the court overrules the objections to p aragraphs 3 and 7, but sustains the objections to paragraphs 4 -6 and Exhibit A. Arbitration Agreement Under the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), A written provision in … a contract...

Excerpt: ...nty Superior Co urt. Horizon Nut, LLC, Horizon Growers Cooperative, Inc., and Joel Perkins filed a demurrer challenging the first cause of action for equitable indemnity on the grounds that it seeks equitable indemnity for an alleged third- party breach of contract and violates public policy. The court agrees with the latter ground and intends to sustain the demurrer. In the first cause of action for equitable indemnity, Nutrien alleges that H...

Excerpt: ...Custom Chopping, LLC for an Order Deeming Admissions by Plaintiff Telmo Coelho to Request for Admissions, Set One, and Request for Sanctions (3) By Defendant Kyle Brock for an Order Compelling Initial Responses from Plaintiff Telmo Coelho to Form Interrogatories – General, Set One, Form Interrogatories – Employment, Set One, Special Interrogatories, Set One, and Request for Production of Documents, Set One, and Request for Sanctions (4) By De...

Excerpt: ...aid on thei r behalf, DHCS may assert a lien on a personal injury settlement. However, where the Medi -Cal beneficiary's injury case settles for less than the full amount of damages, any Medi -Cal lien must be reduced based on a reasonable apportionment of the amount o f Medi-Cal benefits provided in comparison to the full amount of the beneficiary's damages. DHCS may only recover “that portion of a settlement that represents payments for me...

Excerpt: ...aid progra m, administered by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS or Department). (42 U.S.C., § 1396a.) When a Medi -Cal beneficiary is injured and medical expenses are paid on their behalf, DHCS may assert a lien on a personal injury settlement. However, w here the Medi -Cal beneficiary's injury case settles for less than the full amount of damages, any Medi -Cal lien must be reduced based on a reasonable apportionment of the amount ...

Excerpt: ...n an action under the Song–Beverly Act “shall be allowed by the court to recover as part of the judgment a sum equal to the aggregate amount of costs and expenses, including attorney's fees based on actual time expended, determined by the court to have been reas onably incurred by the buyer in connection with the commencement and prosecution of such action.” (Civ. Code, § 1794, subd. (d).) The statute “requires the trial court to mak...

Excerpt: ...ff in this case, Jose Rios Garcia, alleges a single cause of action against the County of Fresno (the "County") for premises liability arising from an accident that occurred when he bumped into a glass window and cut his eye after previously undergoing eye s urgery. Grounds for Demurrer The County demurs generally on the ground that the plaintiff fails to state a cause of action because: (1) under Government Code section 945.6, he failed ...

Excerpt: ...er second amended complaint within 10 days of the date of service of this order. All new allegations shall be in boldface. Explanation: “ ‘Code of Civil Procedure section 473, which gives the courts power to permit amendments in furtherance of justice, has r eceived 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 where there is unwarranted de...

Excerpt: ...f the second amended complaint with leave to amend. The plaintiff is granted leave of 10 days to file his first amended complaint, which will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. New language must be set in boldface type. Explanation: The plaintiff, Joshua Spengeman, filed his complaint in this action on September 6, 2022, to recover for harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and assault he experienced on his job as an employee...

Excerpt: ...oes not dispute that there exists an agreement to arbitrate, and that its cross- claims fall within the scope of the agreement. (Clark Decl., Exh. 1, ¶ 23.) In fact, the cross- claims were previously asserted by Joesclub in arbitration before LMI filed the C omplaint in this unlimited civil action. The arbitration proceeding was closed for lack of payment of on the retainer fee by Joesclub. (Clark Decl., Exh. 4.) Accordingly, the basic criteria...

Excerpt: ... cause of action with leave to amend; and to deny the defendant's motion to strike. The plaintiff is granted leave of 10 days to file her fourth amended complaint, which will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. New language must be set in boldface type. Explanation: Eleven plaintiffs, not including plaintiff Gina Beckman, filed the original complaint in this action on September 7, 2022, against a single named defendant, Saint Agnes...

Excerpt: ...il Procedure section 1281.2 states that, “[o]n petition of a party to an arbitration agreement 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 arbitra...

Excerpt: ... defendant is likely to suffer if the preliminary injunction were issued.” (IT Corp. v. County of Imperial (1983) 35 Cal.3d 63, 69 -70; see also Code Civ. Proc., § 526, subd. (d)(2) [Injunctive relief appropriate “[w]hen it appears by the complaint or aff idavits 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.”].) The Code of Civil Procedure...

Excerpt: ...ause of action. To grant leave to amend as to the ninth and seventeenth causes of action, and to deny leave to amend as to the sixteenth cause of action. To deny defendants' motion to strike portions of the complaint, in its entirety. Pla intiffs shall serve and file their first amended complaint within 10 days of the date of service of this order. All new allegations shall be in boldface. Explanation: Demurrer to Sixth Cause of Action: With re...

Excerpt: ...nder 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 cou rt.” (Lab. Code, § 2699, subd. (i)(2).) ‘“‘A 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 det...

Excerpt: ...ntinue the hearing on the motion to Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. in Department 502, to afford plaintiff one final opportunity to comply with the court's order dated 11/7/2023. Defendant shall file with this court an update on the status of the discov ery nine court days before the continued hearing. Explanation: On 5/5/23 defendant propounded on plaintiff Form Interrogatories, Special Interrogatories and Request for Production of Docume...

Excerpt: ... to this court, within seven days of the date of service by the clerk of this order, a proposed judgment dismissing this action as to defendant. The court denies defendant's additional request for monetary sanctions. Explanation: Once a motion to compel discovery is granted, continued failure to comply may support a request for more severe sanctions. Code of Civil Procedure section 2023.010, subdivision (g), makes “[d]isobeying a court order to...

Excerpt: ...ion: “The ethical obligation to warn opposing counsel of an intent to take a default is now reinforced by a statutory policy that all parties ‘cooperate in bringing the action to trial or other disposition.' Quiet speed and unreasonable deadlines do no t qualify as ‘cooperation' and cannot be accepted by the courts.” (Lasalle v. Vogel (2019) 36 Cal.App.5th 127, 137, emphasis added, citations omitted.) In addition, “[t]he law favors judg...

Excerpt: ...nation: The purpose of consolidation is to enhance trial court efficiency by avoiding unnecessary duplication of evidence and procedures, and to avoid the substantial danger of inconsistent adjudications. (Todd -Stenberg v. Dalkon Shield Claimants Trust (1996) 48 Cal.App.4th 976, 978.) And where the issue is consolidating an unlawful detainer action with a civil action making a claim of ownership of the subject property, the additional issue is o...

Excerpt: ...r by the clerk, defendants shall submit a proposed Judgment dismissing the action. If oral argument is timely requested, such argument will be entertained in Department 403 at 3:30 p.m. on March 7, 2024. Explanation: In the FAC filed on 8/15/23, plaintiff Stacy Hu ber alleges she was falsely accused of misconduct at a termination meeting, terminated, and not given any reason for the termination. Based on these bare allegations, plaintiff alleges...

Excerpt: ..., to allow time for: (1) ESIS, Inc. to serve all appearing parties to the action with the moving papers and to file a corrected proof of service; and (2) the proposed successor in interest to substitute as a party to this action for the deceased plaint iff. The proposed successor in interest may file an ex parte application and reserve an ex parte hearing date for the substitution. The proposed successor in interest may re -file her opposition...

Excerpt: ...ovisi on is deemed severed from the Retail Installment Sale Contract. To stay this action and the remaining claims against defendant PRCO, Inc. and American Contractors Indemnity Company pending the completion of arbitration. Explanation: Plaintiff contracte d to purchase a vehicle from Car Palace, Inc., doing business as Auto Depot, on credit. (Shahnematollah Decl., ¶ 9, Exh. A; Second Amended Complaint, ¶¶ 2, 5.) The dealership then assigned...

Excerpt: ...submitted on reply in the Reply Declaration of Gary Revis. All supplemental briefing will be per Code of Civil Procedure section 1005, subdivision (b), treating March 26, 2024 as the original hearing date. Explanation: Defendant Future Clovis, Inc. d ba Future Ford of Clovis (“Defendant”) moves for an order compelling Plaintiffs SS Pro Flooring & Construction, Inc. and Saul Sanchez Medina (collectively “Plaintiffs”) to arbitration. A tri...

Excerpt: ...30.10, subd. (e), (f).) To overrule the demurrers to the first and second causes of action. The time in which the complaint may be amended will run from service of the order by the clerk. All new allegations shall be in boldface type. Explanation: This is an elder abuse action brought on behalf of Dorothy Magee (“Decedent”), through her successor -in -interest Lydell Magee. Decedent's children, Lydell Magee and Marcel Smith, also assert a wr...

Excerpt: ...dure section 473.5 in their arguments. Cross- Complainant JD Properties, Inc. addressed both grounds. Accordingly, the court proceeds on both grounds. Code of Civil Procedure section 473, subdivision (b) provides, in pertinent part: The court may, upon any te rms as may be just, relieve a party or his or her legal representative from a judgment, dismissal, order, or other proceeding taken against him or her through his or her mistake, inadvertenc...

Excerpt: ... Center (“Villagio”) and Manco Abbott, Inc., collectively “Settling Defendants,” have agreed to settle with plaintiffs for a total of $5,000,000.00, with offsets taken for settlements reached with defendants Cirks Construction, Inc. in the amount of $125,000 and Miller Clark Landscape and Nursery in the amount of $130,000. The final amount of the settlement is $4,745,000 with Lazy Dog contributing $949,000.00, Villagio contributing $2,37...

Excerpt: ...to file such pleading will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. New allegations/language must be set in boldface type. To deny plaintiff's motion to strike. If oral argument is timely requested, such argument will be entertained at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2024, in Department 502. Explanation: Demurrer Code of Civil Procedure section 430.40 provides that a person may demur to an answer within 10 days after service of the...

Excerpt: ...Civil Procedure section 425.16, "[a] cause of action against a person arising from any act of that person in furtherance of the person 's rightof petition or free speech under the United States Constitution or the California Constitution in connection with a public issue shall be subject to a special motion to strike, unless the court determines that the plaintiff has established that there is a probability that the plaintiff will prevail on the ...

Excerpt: ...defendants Sergio Franco and Vantage Point Finance, LLC in its entirety. If oral argument is timely requested, such argument will be entertained at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2024, in Department 502. Explanation: Several parties move for summary judgment of the Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) by plaintiff Cameron Arballo (“Plaintiff”). The SAC states eight causes of action: (1) breach of contract/specific performance; (2) quiet...

Excerpt: ... any action or proceeding." (Code Civ. Proc., 1032, (subd. (b).) "Prevailing party' includes the party with a net monetary recovery, a defendant in whose favor a dismissal is entered, a defendant where neither plaintiff nor defendant obtans any relief, and a defendant as against those plaintiffs who do not recover any relief against that defendant." (Code Civ. Proc., S 1032, subd. (a)(4).) Here, defendant Saint Agnes Medical Center was clearly th...

Excerpt: ...eek relief under Code of Civil Procedure sections 2023.040, 2023.030, 2023.030, and 2023.050 on the basis that defendant's “responses are evasive and incomplete and the objections are without merit or too general.” (Notice of Motions, at p. 2:1 -2 .) Plaintiff's separate statements, however, shows that defendant responded to most of the subject interrogatories and requests for admissions with straight forward denials and factual replies. In p...

Excerpt: ...3:30 p.m. in Department 502. To impose a monetary sanction against defendants Lithia NC, Inc. and American Credit Acceptance, LLC in the amount of $5,560, payable no later than thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order. Explanation: Code of Civ il Procedure section 1281.98 provides, in pertinent part: In an employment or consumer arbitration that requires, either expressly or through application of state or federal law or the rules ...

Excerpt: ...l dface type. Explanation: “The court may, in furtherance of justice, and on such terms as may be proper, allow a party to amend any pleading ….” (Code Civ. Proc. § 473, subd. (a); see also, § 576.) There is generally a strong policy in favor of allowing a plaintiff to amend the complaint. (Glaser v. Meyers (1982) 137 Cal.App.3d 770, 776- 777; Mabie v. Hyatt (1998) 61 Cal.App.4th 581, 596.) Accordingly, the California Supreme Court has he...

Excerpt: ...oot. Explanation: SUMMARY JUDGMENT Evidentiary Objections The court finds plaintiff's objection to Pappas Declaration paragraph 3, and Exhibit A attached thereto, moot in light of plaintiff's submission of the same evidence in her opposition. The court overrules plaintiff's remaining objections to the Pappas Declaration. Merits A trial court shall grant summary judgment where there are no triable issues of material fact and the moving party is e...

Excerpt: ...awal is not yet e
¯ective, as counsel have not Þled proof of service of the Order Granting Attorney's Motion to be Relieved as Counsel. According to the order at paragraph 5, the “[attorney] is relieved as counsel of record for client e
¯ective upon the Þling of the proof of service of this signed order upon the client.” No such proof of service has been Þled. Plainti
¯ Þled this is action to recover on a $500,000 Loan Agreement and Pr...

Excerpt: ...demurrer is to test the su
¯iciency of a plainti
¯'s pleading by raising questions of law. (Plumlee v. Poag (1984) 150 Cal.App.3d 541, 545.) The test is whether plainti
¯ has succeeded in stating a cause of action; the court does not concern itself with the issue of plainti
¯'s possible di
¯iculty or inability in proving the allegations of the complaint. (Highlanders, Inc. v. Olsan (1978) 77 Cal.App.3d 690, 697.) In assessing the su
¯icienc...

Excerpt: ... Sixth, and Seventh Causes of Action Tentative Ruling: To sustain the demurrers to the entire Third Amended Complaint, with leave to amend. (Code Civ. Proc., § 430.10, subd. (f).) To take judicial notice of each document included in defendants' requests for judicial notice. (Evid. Code, § 452, subds. (c), (d).) Explanation: Defendant Fresno Community Hospital and Medical Center dba Community Regional Medical Center (“CRMC”) generally and sp...

Excerpt: ...ourt may make any order that justice requires to protect any party or other person from unwarranted annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden and expense. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2031.060, subd. (b).) This motion is brought pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 2031.060. Accordingly, the Superior Court of Fresno County, Local Rules, rule 2.1.17 applies. The relevant provision of Local Rule 2.1.17 provides as follows “…no motion...

Excerpt: ...l dollar amounts Þlled in (actual costs awarded as well as enhancement payments), within 5 days of the clerk's service of this order. To set a hearing on December 4, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. in Department 502 as a hearing date for an Amended Judgment pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 384. A veriÞed report of payouts of settlement funds and a proposed amended judgment shall be submitted no later than November 18, 2024. Explanation: “Before ...

Excerpt: ...resolved in their favor. (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (p)(1); see also Aguilar v. Atlantic RichÞeld Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 850 [“First, and generally, from commencement to conclusion, the party moving for summary judgment bears the burden of persuasion that there is no triable issue of material fact and that he is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.”].) Accordingly, a plainti
¯ moving for summary adjudication on an a
¯irmative...

Excerpt: ...nitive damages, and the allegations at Item 14a “(2) punitive damages,” and “(2) in the amount of: $3,000,000.00.” (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 425.13, 425.10.) The striking of the punitive damages allegations is without prejudice to plainti
¯s Þling a motion under Code of Civil Procedure section 425.13, subdivision (a). Explanation: Plainti
¯s' Second, Third, and Fourth Amended Complaints Code of Civil Procedure section 472, subdivision (a)...

Excerpt: ...cument included in plainti
¯s' request for judicial notice. (Evid. Code, § 452, subd. (d).) To grant plainti
¯s' motion for summary judgment against Agricultural Contracting Services Association. Inc., dba American Labor Alliance Workers' Compensation Fund & Trust, dba CompOne USA (“ALA”), and to deny the motion against Omega Community Labor Union, dba Compass Pilot Trust (“Omega”). (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subds. (c) and (p)(1).) Pl...

Excerpt: ...l Arbitration Act, and request to dismiss, or alternatively, stay the action pending arbitration. Pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), A written provision in … 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 enforceable, save upon such ...

Excerpt: ...air Employment and Housing Act provisions relied upon by plainti
¯. To sustain defendant's objections as to the declaration of Shaun Austin. To sustain defendant's objections, except objection #2, to the declaration of Morgan Ruiz. Explanation: This case arises out of an alleged wrongful termination of plainti
¯ after he su
¯ered a brain aneurism requiring emergency surgery and extensive post-surgical rehabilitation. When plainti
¯ contacted ...

Excerpt: ...vere water damage which decedent's house sustained after an integrated water supply part located within an upstairs bathroom faucet failed and caused the home to flood. Unfortunately, decedent had suffered a stroke and was not living in her home at the time in question. Decedent stated that she learned of the claim when the water utility contacted her to advise that her water had been shut off following an unusually large spike in water usage. De...

Excerpt: ...r Family Trust of 2004, ("Plaintiff") seeks an award of attorney fees pursuant to Civil Code section 1717 following judgment after trial, which was entered in favor of Plaintiff against defendants Larry Oakander and Patricia Oakander (collectively "Defendants"). The First Amended Complaint stated one remaining cause of action against Defendants, for breach of installment note. Plaintiff now seeks a fee award of $407,553.60. Statutory Grounds unde...

Excerpt: ...vil Procedure section 430.41and 435.5; specifically, to meet and confer with plaintiff regarding the issues raised by the demurrer and motion to strike. If the parties cannot agree on the purported deficiencies in the first amended complaint, defendant may calendar another hearing date for the demurrer and must comply with Code of Civil Procedure section 430.41 and 435.5 in doing so. If the parties need more time to meet and confer, they may subm...

Excerpt: ...ibed." (Kacha v. Allstate Ins. Co. (2006) 140 Cal.App.4th 1023, 1031.) It is not the court's role to review the merits of the controversy or to determine whether the evidence is sufficient to support the appraisal award. (Ibid.) The petition identifies the California Arbitration Act, (Code Civ. Proc. S 1280, et seq.) as providing authority for the court to compel California FAIR Plan Association to participate in the Insurance Code 52071 appraisa...

Excerpt: ...civil achon brought under the Fair Employment and Housing Act, Government Code section 12900 et seq., may be awarded reasonable attorney's fees and costs in the court's discretion. (Govt. Code 512965, subd. (c)(6).) The parties reached a settlement upon plaintiff's acceptance of defendants' Code of Civil Procedure section 998 Offer to Compromise, the terms of which included reasonable attorney's fees and costs awarded by the court. In her motion ...

Excerpt: ...of Documents, Set One Tentative Ruling: To grant the motions to compel verified discovery responses, and for deemed admissions. (Code Civ. Proc., S 2030.290, 2031.300, 2033.280.) Within 10 days, plaintiff Jose Madrigal shall serve objections-free, verified responses Form Interrogatories, Set One, Special Interrogatories, Set One, and Request for Production of Documents, Set One. The truth of all matters specified in the Request for Admissions, Se...

Excerpt: ...t dismissing the action as to the City of Fresno. Explanation: A motion for judgment on the pleadings can be made at any time before or during trial. The motion performs the same function as a general demurrer, and thus attacks defects disclosed on the face of the pleadings or by matters that can be judicially noticed. (Martinez v. San Diego County Credit Union (2020) 50 Cal.App.5th 1048, 1058.) The plaintiff, Kimberly Ramirez (Plaintiff), has ha...

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: ...inute order, a proposed judgment dismissing this action. To grant monetary sanctons against plaintiff and plaintiff's counsel in the amount of $1,359.95. Monetary sanctions are ordered to be paid within 30 calendar days from the date of service of the minute order by the clerk. Explanation: Terminating Sanctions: Once a motion to compel discovery is granted, continued failure to comply may support a request for more severe sanctions. Code of Civi...

Excerpt: ...ubd. To grant plaintiff's request for monetary sanctions in the amount of $1,860 against defendant Brooklyn Moving Inc. payable to plaintiffs counsel within thirty (30) days from the date of this order. Explanation: Code of Civil Procedure section 2023.010 defines "misuses of the discovery process" as including, "failing to respond or submit to an authorized method of discovery" and "disobeying a court order to prov-de discovery." (Code Civ. Proc...

Excerpt: ...xcusable neglect under Code of Civil Procedure, section 473, subdivision (b). Actual Notce "When service of a summons has not resulted in actual notice to a party in time to defend the action and a default or default judgment has been entered against him or her in the action, he or she may serve and file a notice of motion to set aside the default or default judgment and for leave to defend the action." (Code Civ. Proc., S 473.5, subd. (a).) The ...

Excerpt: ...sehold agreement with the defendants whereby they agreed to lease a single family residence located without Fresno County from defendants. The lease agreement was executed November 17, 2020. The lease included a move-in inspection sheet, notice of repair, and indemnity provisions. Plaintiff alleges that, on February 22, 2021, while residing upon the premises, she tripped and fell in a "defective portion" of the hal way, which caused serious injur...

Excerpt: ...demurrers to plaintiff's first (breach of fiduciary duty), third (elder abuse), fifth (breach of implied covenant) and sixth (unfair business practice) causes of acton. To grant defendants' request for judicial notce. The court will take notice of its own records in the instant case for the fact of the filing of plaintiff's first amended complaint but not for the truth of the matters stated therein. Explanation: The express basis for the defendan...

Excerpt: ... are adequately protected, although there is less scrutiny of manageability issues. (Wershba v. Apple Computer, Inc. (2001) 91 cal.App.4th 224, 240; see Dunk v. Ford Motor co. (1996) 48 cal.App.4th 1794, 1803, fn. 9.) The trial court has a "fiduciary responsibility" as the guardian of the absentee class members' rights to decide whether to approve a settlement of a class action. (Luckeyv. Superior Court (2014) 228 Cal.App.4th 81, 95.) A precertif...

Excerpt: ...defendant in resisting the claims of a plaintiff." (Code Civ. Proc., S 387, subd. (b)(2).) "A nonparty shall petition the court for leave to intervene by noticed motion or ex parte application. The petition shall include a copy of the proposed complaint in intervention or answer in intervention and set forth the grounds upon which intervention rests." (Code Civ. Proc., S 387, subd. (c).) "The court may, upon timely application, permit a nonparty ...

Excerpt: ...eady 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 court to reconsider its decision granting certification of the class. Therefore, the court certifies the class for the purpose of final approval of the settlement. 2. Settlement a. Legal Standards "When, a...

Excerpt: ...ent thereon. Explanation: 1. Introduction under Labor Code section 2699, "[tlhe superior court shall review and approve any settlement of any civil acton filed pursuant to [PAGA]. The proposed settlement shall be submitted to the agency at the same time that is submitted to the court." (Lab. Code, S 2699, subd. (i)(2).) The statute does not explain what exactly the trial court should consider when reviewing a proposed PAGA settlement. However, re...

Excerpt: ... the second, third, fifth, and sixth causes of action, with leave to amend. (Code Civ. Proc. S 430.10, subd. (e).) To overrule on all other grounds. (Code Civ. Proc. S 430.10, subd. (e), Plaintiff shall serve and file an 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: Defendants Yamaha Golf-Car Company ("Yamaha") and Cart Star Motors, LLC ("Cart Star...

Excerpt: ...of Civil Procedure, section 664.6 provides in relevant part: If parties to pending litigation stipulate, in a writing signed by the parties outside of 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. (Code Civ. Proc., S 664.6, subd. Here, the parties have a writing and litigation is still pending. The writing was c...

Excerpt: ...ffected." (Williams v. Superior Court (2017) 3 Cal.5th 531, 549, citing Labor Code secton "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 tme that it is submitted to the court." ) [A1 trial court should evaluate a PAGA settlement to determine whether it is fair, reasonable, and adequate in view of PAGAls purposes to r...

Excerpt: ... defendants whereby credit was given based upon the value of their used car lot inventory value secured by the title certificates of those vehicles until sold or for 120 days, which ever occurred first, at which time the loan was to be paid off. The loan agreement was secured by a promissory note, vehicle collateral, a personal guarantee, and a surety bond. Plaintiff alleges that defendants failed to perform. Plaintiff filed its original complain...

Excerpt: ...ity Fruit Company, Inc. or, in the alternative, for a Protective Order Tentative Ruling: To deny the motion for summary judgment. To deny the motions to quash the deposition on Union Bank and U.S. Bank. To deny the motion to quash the deposition subpoena on Trinity Fruit Company, Inc. To deny the alternative relief sought for a protective order limiting the subject matter of the production. To deny every request for sanctions. To direct the parti...

Excerpt: ...l demurrer on claims that "[t]he pleading does not state facts suffcient 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 conclusions of law." (Logan v. Southern Cal. Rapid Transit Dist. (...

Excerpt: ...n: Enforce Settlement "Code of Civil Procedure section 664.6 provides a summary procedure to enforce a settlement agreement by entering judgment pursuant to the terms of the settlement... The court retains jurisdiction to enforce a settlement under the statute even after a dismissal, but only if the parties requested such a retention of jurisdiction before the dismissal. Such a request must be made either in a writing signed by the parties or ora...

Excerpt: ...days of the date of the service of this minute order. (Govt. Code, S 946.6, subd. (f).) Explanation: Petitioners Eileen and John Quinto petition to the court for relief from government claim filing requirements pursuant to Government Code, secton 946.6 on the ground that there was excusable neglect for the untimely filing of their government claims. Unless otherwise provided for, no suit for money or damages may be brought against a government en...

Excerpt: ...ories (Set One), and Request for Produc
Ÿon of Documents (Set One). Cross-complainant Emory Merin is ordered to serve veriÞed responses, without objec
Ÿons, to cross-defendant within 30 days of service of the minute order by the clerk. To grant monetary sanc
Ÿons against cross-complainant in the total amount of $780. Monetary sanc
Ÿons are ordered to be paid within 30 calendar days from the date of service of the minute order by the clerk. E...

Excerpt: ... page 18, line 6; page 19, lines 7-12; and page 19, line 28, with leave to amend. (Code Civ. Proc., S 436; Civ. Code, S 3294.) Plaintiff is granted 20 days' leave to file the second amended complaint. The tme to file the second amended complaint will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. All new allegations in the second amended complaint are to be set in boldface type. Explanation: Retaliation: Defendants, India Oven, Inc., Gurdev S...

Excerpt: ...� General, Set One, and Requests for Production of Documents, Set One, and Request for Monetary Sanctions 3) Plaintiff's Moton to Compel Attendance of Defendant Joshua O'Bannon at his Deposition and Request for Monetary Sanctons * *If timely requested, oral argument will be heard on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. in Department 502* * Tentative Ruling: To grant all motions. Within 20 days of service of the order by the clerk, defendants ...

Excerpt: ...granted. The plaintiffs in the coordinated actions are owners and operators of pistachio orchards in the Central Valley. They allege that in the spring or summer of 2020 they applied to their pistachios the insecticide imidaclopris, manufactured by defendants Bayer, Albaugh, Rotan, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Inc., and Loveland Products, Inc. Plaintiffs thereafter delivered their 2020 pistachio crops to Horizon Nut Company, who informed plaintiffs that...

Excerpt: ...thin twenty (20) days from the date of this order. Explanation: A "contract may impliedly as well as expressly permit [l recovery" of attorneys' fees. (Citizens Suburban Co. v. Rosemont Development Co. (1966) 244 Cal.App.2d 666, 683 (Citizens).) However, "[alttorney fees cannot be allowed a successful litigant without pleading and proof that there is a contract provision for them[]" (Ibid), and a demand for judgment not supported by allegations c...

Excerpt: ...A complaint showing on its face the cause of action is barred by the statute of limitations is subject to general demurrer." (Iverson, Yoakum, Papiano & Hatch v. Berwa d (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 990, 995, citaton omitted.) A demurrer based on the statute of limitations is properly brought as a general demurrer for failure to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of achon even though the section 430 does not mention the statute of limitation a...

Excerpt: ...in that Notice of Deposition as set forth herein, except with respect to Request nos. 14-18. Explanaton: Code of Civil Procedure section 2025.280 provides, in relevant part: "The service of a deposition notice under Section 2025.240 is effective to require any deponent who is a party to the action or employee of a party to attend and to testify as well as to produce any document for inspection and copying." (Code Civ. Proc., S 2025.280, subd. Cod...

Excerpt: ... of the settlement of plaintiff's action for PAGA penalties against defendant set forth in its February 23, 2023 ruling. However, the request for one-third of the gross settlement to be awarded as attorney's fees remains unsupported. The court intends to perform a lodestar calculation to double check the reasonableness of the fee request. (Laffitte v. Robert Half Internat. (2016) 1 Cal.5th 480, 504- 506.) Labor Code section 2699, subdivision stat...

Excerpt: ...gment law turns on issue finding rather than issue determination. (Diep v California Fair Plan Assln (1993) 15 Cal.App.4th 1205, 1207.) The court 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 s...