Excerpt: ...proximately 15 years old and a student at Mount Diablo High School. (Complaint, Ill.) Plaintiff was abused by an adult male career counselor (whom plaintiff believes to be deceased) employed by District. (Complaint, 912.) Specifically, the counselor's sexual assault and harassing conduct towards plaintiff occurred in three separate incidents, two of which consisted of inappropriate remarks, inappropriate staring, and invasion of personal space, a...

Excerpt: ... from his job at Mechanics Bank for sexually harassing Pacheco and others. Pena filed this acton against Mejia on February 1, 2021. Pena alleges that Mejia has subjected Pena and his family members to harassment, including threats of violence. Pena alleged the following causes of action in his complaint: (1) libel; (2) intentional infliction of emotional distress; (3) violation of the Tom Bane Civil Rights Act; and (4) false impersonation in viol...

Excerpt: ... issued an order to show cause ("OSC"). The OSC hearing was held on January 18, 2023. Plaintiff's counsel failed to appear again. As a result, the Court dismissed the matter with prejudice. Standard Defendant moves to set aside the default judgment pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure ("CCP") SS473(b). Code of Civ-l Procedure 473(b) provides, in relevant part: The court may, upon any terms as may be just, relieve a party or his or her l...

Excerpt: ...ating trial on Plaintiffs claims for alter ego and successor liability (causes of action seven and eight of the Third Amended Complaint) from their remaining claims, with the alter ego claims to be heard first and the remaining claims and cross claims to be heard 90 days later. For the reasons set forth below, the moton is denied. Brief Factual and Procedural Background This case arises from Plaintiffs' purchase of a refurbished home that turned ...

Excerpt: ...ed Services, Inc. ("Premier"), and ADA Services Corporation, formerly known as H&R Block Mortgage Corporation ("ADA"). The motion is not opposed by Plaintiff. The Court rules as follows: (1) the motion to strike from the Prayer for Relief for the third cause of action paragraph 13, p. 38, line 23 ("For exemplary damages as may be shown at trial") as to defendants Premier, and ADA only is granted, and as to defendant Sand Canyon, the motion is den...

Excerpt: ...declaration documenting efforts to meet and confer is insufficient in that it indicates the "means by which" counsel met and conferred with the plaintiff was email. Such efforts must be "in person or by telephone." (Code Civ. Proc„ S 430.41 (a) and see also S 435.5 [re moton to strikel.) Plaintiff's opposition points this out. (Opposition, 4:6-7.) However, plaintiff does not indicate how the failure affected the merits of the motions. Failure t...

Excerpt: ...that they are both duplicative of the first cause of action. Plaintiffs Request for Judicial Notice, relating to documents filed in Contra Costa Superior Court Case No. P20-01100 is granted. (Cal. Evid. Code S 452(d).) Summary of Allegations This matter pertains to alleged mistakes made by Defendant Brian Dennis Young relating to work performed by him for Plaintiff. Such work was performed in his professional capacity as an attorney and concerned...

Excerpt: ...f entry of order to answer the FAC. Background Plaintiffs Adele Connor and Mirabel Connor filed suit against Defendants Ki Young Chung and Sarah Chung, alleging that Plaintiffs are tenants of 3580 Boyer Cir., Lafayette, California 945499 (the "Property"). The Property is alleged to be owned and controlled by Defendants. Plaintiffs allege that Defendants had notice of, and failed to remedy, substantial habitability issues, and retaliated against P...

Excerpt: ...e Moton is denied. Request for Judicial Notice Defendants request judicial notice of the Contractor's State License Board Detail Information for Priceless Kitchen and Bath and the Registrar of contractors, contractors state License Board SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 08/28/2023 Department of Consumer Affairs, Order to Adopt Stipulated Settlement (as ...

Excerpt: ...nt Golden Rain Foundation ("Defendant" or "GRF") beginning in early 2002. Plaintiff was a member of a union and was represented by Local Union, Laborers' Union No. 34 (the "Union"). Defendant and the Union entered into a collective bargaining agreement ("C8A"), which was renewed in March 2022. Plaintiff was covered by the CBA as a member of the Union. It appears that in July 2020, GRF issued a 2020 Employee Handbook ("Handbook") to all employees....

Excerpt: ...t a proposed order consistent with this ruling and serve and file notice of entry of order. Defendants shall have 15 days from notice of entry of order in which to answer the Second Amended complaint. SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 08/28/2023 Allegations of the SAC This action arises out of the custodial care and treatment provided to Dwayne Rideau wh...

Excerpt: ...se number QI-01689 present common questions of law and fact. (See MPA iso Mohon at p. 3:13.) For the following reasons, the Motion is denied. Brief Factual and Procedural Background July 10, 2019. Plaintiff files her initial complaint for general negligence and negligent hiring against Defendants Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries dba Higgins Chapel, Defendant Yen Tom, and Defendant Misty Lynn Cicerello. The gravamen of Plaintiff's claim is an alleged a...

Excerpt: ...CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 08/14/2023 Procedural Background Defendant originally filed her Motion on April 11, 2023. The Court issued a tentative ruling on August 13. The tentative ruling noted there were "several procedural problems as well as substantive issues with both Parties' positions." This includes a number of owners of property adjacent to Defendant's Property which ...

Excerpt: ...aint was filed with Trey Briggs as the plaintiff. 80th complaints allege that Trey broke his arm at a school event in 2018, but Trey continued to experience problems and required surgery in 2022 and 2023. 80th the complaint and first amended complaint stated that the plaintiff had complied with the applicable claims statute. The District brings this moton for sanctions against Plaintiff's attorney based on the failure to submit a government claim...

Excerpt: ..."Kulwant"), Dhanwant Singh Malhi's ("Dhanwant") (collectively "Defendants") Special Motion to Strike Pursuant to C.C.P. S 425.15. Allegations of Complaint Plaintiff is a member of the Sikh faith and attends the Sikh Temple — El Sobrante (the "Temple"). He is involved in the Temple's administrative activites and teaches Gatka (Sikh Martial Arts) at the Temple. He has been attending and teaching at the Temple since 2009. The Complaint sets forth ...

Excerpt: ...ners insurance carrier defendant USAA General Indemnity Company ("USAA") and defendant Masters Distribution, Inc. dba Masters Wholesale ("MDI") for failure to properly install replacement hardwood flooring based on a claim under their homeowners' policy. (2AC "1 3, 7, 11.) Plaintiffs allege USAA has denied coverage for the defects in the replacement flooring under a policy exclusion. (2AC '1 24.) Plaintiffs sued USAA and MDI on multiple theories....

Excerpt: ... failed to allege sufficient facts to support a punt-ive damages award and that if Plaintiff's underlying fraud claim fails, then so does Plaintiff's claim for punitive damages. For the reasons set forth, the motion to strike is granted, with leave to amend. Background The background of this case is addressed in the Court's tentative ruling on the related demurrer to the fraudulent concealment cause of achon by General Motors, LLC. Legal Standard...

Excerpt: ... prevent prejudicing his or her interest in the litigation. (CCP S 35(a).) "The clear intent of the Legislature is to safeguard litigants who qualify under subdivision (a) against the acknowledged risk that death or incapacity might deprive them of the opportunity to have their case SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 07/24/2023 effectively tried and to ob...

Excerpt: ...xpress contractual warranty with GM on January 24, 2019, presumably when she entered into the lease. (First Amended Complaint ("FAC") 6-8.) She alleges the Vehicle has a "Battery Defect" more fully described in the FAC that manifested during the warranty period. (FAC 9, 23-26.) She alleges GM knew about the Battery Defect since 2016 and that her Vehicle had a defective battery when she leased it, but GM concealed and failed to disclose the Batter...

Excerpt: ...hly repetitive Demurrers to the Complaint of Plaintiffs Michael Graziadei II, et al., along with Motions to Strike. This prolixity is particularly unwarranted given that the parties are jointly represented and make many identical or highly similar arguments. Given the overlap of the motions, the Court will address Defendants' arguments in a single ruling, proceeding in the manner presented in the briefs. The Demurrers to Complaint are sustained i...

Excerpt: ...d), (h).) Evidentiary Issues Initially, the Declaration of Plaintiff in Support of Motion to Set Aside Summary Judgment is not actually a declaration of Plaintiff David Litachevsky, despite the title. While the Declaration states that David Litachevsky "declares as follows:" the document is signed by "Dylan Hackett Attorney for Plaintiff David Litachevsky." "Although it would appear obvious, a declaration must be signed by the declarant personall...

Excerpt: ...fore the Court is also Defendant Juan Mejia's Motion to Quash Service of Summons. Defendant's Motion to Quash Service of Summons relates to Plaintiff's aforementioned Complaint. SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 07/17/2023 Page 2 of 30 For the following reasons, Defendant's Motion to Set Aside Default is granted. Defendant's Motion to Quash Service of Su...

Excerpt: ... this matter is continued until August 20, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. in Department 18 to allow time for additional briefing by the Parties, as discussed below. Factual Background: Plaintiff John Scott ("Plaintiff") worked for Defendant Golden Rain Foundation ("Defendant" or "GRF" from early 2002 until September 2022. While the papers do not indicate if Plaintiff was fired or quit, the Complaint alleges that he was wrongfully terminated on September 16, 2...

Excerpt: ...s third surviving heir who could not or would not join as a plaintiff and is therefore named as a defendant. Plaintiffs have sued the driver of the vehicle, defendant Joseph Heath, and Heath's employer, defendant Spearhead Protection, Inc. Spearhead moves for summary judgment on the ground that Heath was commuting to work at the time of the accident, and Spearhead cannot be held liable for SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MART NE...

Excerpt: ...nt's twenty-third affirmative defense fails. The two "issues" included in the notice of motion are just different reasons why Plaintiff thinks that the twenty-third affirmative defense fails. Thus, the Court will discuss the two summary adjudication issues together. Plaintiff worked as a speech therapist at Morello Park Elementary, a school in Defendant's district. While working at this school, Plaintiff alleges that she was to toxins from a sewa...

Excerpt: ...t that school (and thus an employee of Defendant School District), as well as Plaintiff's social sciences teacher and faculty advisor for the school's Black Student Union, of which Plaintiff was a member. (Ibid.) It is generally alleged that Doe 2 engaged in 'highly inappropriate and sexual behavior with his minor students,' kept students in his classroom during the lunch period, shared vulgar stores about sex with his students, often hugged mino...

Excerpt: ...e. Cycle Gear shall serve and file notce of entry of order. Legal Standard CCP section 877.6(a)(1), provides, in relevant part, that, on noticed motion, "[alny party to an acton wherein it is alleged that two or more parties are joint tortfeasors or co-obligors on a contract debt shall be entitled to a hearing on the issue of the good faith of a settlement entered into by the plaintiff and one or more alleged tortfeasors or co-obligors . "A deter...

Excerpt: ...bject to judicial notice. (Cal. Evid. Code S 452.) Procedural Background This matter generally relates to issues arising from the construction and sale of real property located at 2030 Hoover Avenue in Pleasant Hill (the "Property"). The original parties were previously ordered to arbitration. Then, when the arbitration failed to move forward due to Defendants' dismissal of their attorney and failure to hire other counsel, it was put back on the ...

Excerpt: ...with California Rule of Court 3.112 regarding the required papers for Motions. Rule 3.1112 requires that the papers filed in support of a motion must consist of at least a notice of hearing on the motion, the motion itself, and a memorandum in support off the motion. (CRC 3.1112(a).) Defendant's Motion consists of just a single document, which moves the Court to dismiss the Complaint "on the basis of claim preclusion (Res Judicata), collateral es...

Excerpt: ...unopposed MSJ is granted. Procedural Background Defendant GTE Mobilenet of California Limited Partnership (erroneously sued as Verizon California, lnc and GTE Corporation) filed its MS] on January 6, 2023. The hearing on the MS] was scheduled for April 10, 2023. Thus, Plaintiff's opposition was due on or before March 27, 2023. No opposition was filed at that time. Instead, on April 6 — two court days before the hearing — Plaintiff filed a mot...

Excerpt: ...s denied. District shall file its answer to the complaint of Jane Doe 3 by June SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 05/12/2023 22, 2023. Background Plaintiffs, who filed this action under the pseudonyms "Jane Doe #1," "Jane Doe #2," and "Jane Doe #3," are three former students of defendant Miramonte High School, which is a high school operated by defendant...

Excerpt: ...Sahar, Nathan Sahar, and Michele Sahar filed the initial complaint in this matter, Case No. C22-00746 (the "Present Matter"), by dropping the necessary papers in the Red Drop box outside of the 1st floor entrance to the Martinez Civil Courthouse on that date. o Plaintiff contends that this was "the Court's required process at this time for filing of civil documents." (emphasis added.) This statement is incorrect, as the Court's filing window was ...

Excerpt: ...aintiffs' Motion is granted. Procedural Background On October 11, 2022, the Parties attended a settlement conference before court appointed mediator Jessica Braverman. After exhaustive negotiations, the parties came to an agreement to settle the case. That same day, all four Parties, i.e. Plaintiffs Manuel ü)pez and Helen Kei and Defendants Gregory and Dana Freeman, signed a Settlement Agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of the sett...

Excerpt: ...ion, if he can provide additional information on his financial situation and/or there is other that becomes available in the future. Defendant Christian Cizek's motion contesting the good faith application by Manuel TelloChavez is denied. The Court finds that the settlement between Plaintiff and Tello-Chavez is in good faith pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 877.6. The party claiming that a settlement is not in good faith under Code of ...

Excerpt: ... judgment on the pleadings on the fourth cause of action for financial elder abuse alleged in Plaintiffs' Second Amended Complaint ("2AC '). For the reasons set forth, the motion is denied. Background Plaintiffs George Byers and Sheila Byers allege they are both over 65 and that Mrs. Byers is largely confined to a wheelchair. (Second Amended Complaint ("2AC") 1.) They have sued their homeowners insurance carrier defendant USAA General Indemnity C...

Excerpt: ...("Motion"). Appearances are required by all Parties to discuss how they would like to proceed based on the Conclusion at the end of this Tentatve Ruling. The required hearing will take place on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Background Defendant Susan Dixon owns real property located at 820 Bates Avenue in El Cerrito, California ("Dixon Property"). The Dixon Property is bordered, either directly or next to an easement, by 12 other properties...

Excerpt: .../A (breach of fiduciary duty) — sustained, with leave to amend. Background Plaintiff Pearl Seaborn is the former spouse of Charles Lee Seaborn, now deceased. She alleges that she and her husband became the owners of a residential property on Bismarck Terrace in Brentwood, California (the "Property") in 2001. (Fourth Amended Complaint ("4AC') "1 2, 15-17.) She alleges in February 2005, a forged Interspousal Transfer Grant Deed ("Interspousal Dee...

Excerpt: ...onal practice in performing Slava's hernia surgery and his treatment. Plaintiff Slava alleges the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center ("medical center"), on whose behalf the County is appearing in the action, is vicariously liable for Dr. Berguer's negligence as his employer. Plaintiff Ilga Viner ("Ilga") is Slava's wife. The current operative pleading is the Second Amended Complaint ("2AC'). Plaintiffs seek leave to file a Third Amended Complai...

Excerpt: ... and Brook Andrew Woolley, M.D. ("Kaiser Defendants"). For the reasons set forth, and subject to the Kaiser Defendants making the supplemental submission addressed below at or prior to the hearing on the petition, the petition is granted as to all claims by Plaintiff in her individual and representative capacities against the Kaiser Defendants; the motion to stay the action is granted as modified by the Court pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure s...

Excerpt: ...tion. Procedural Background This matter pertains to claims made by Plaintiff Corporate Immigration Partners, LLP (a aw firm) relating to actions taken by former employee, Defendant Gina Sales-Cengiz (an attorney) before, during, and after her leaving her employment with Defendant. Defendant is alleged to have given notice of her intent to resign on December 23, 2022, with an effective date of January 12, 2023. During those last two weeks of emplo...

Excerpt: ...le, Lafayette, on December 30, 2022. The case does not have a trial date. Plaintiff now seeks to file a first amended complaint to (1) add her daughter, Mirabel Connor, as a plaintiff; (2) add a cause of achon for constructive eviction on behalf of Mirabel; and (3) make changes that are administrative in nature. Defendants oppose. Applicable Law It is well-established under California law that leave to amend is to be granted liberally, to accompl...

Excerpt: ...ckhawk Meadows. From the time the Evanses purchased their home, disputes arose with the developer, S&S Constructon (sometimes the "Developer"), over alleged construction defects. In September 2020, Plaintiff Blackhawk Meadows Homeowners Association (sometimes the "HOA") filed this action for breach of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Blackhawk Meadows (the "CC&Rs") by Defendants. Plaintiff seeks: (1) injunctive relief...

Excerpt: ...DATE: 04/24/2023 Page 25 of 27 vacated. Defendant shall file and serve a responsive pleading within 10 days of the date of this order. Background Plaintiff filed this action for breach of contract and common counts on June 7, 2022. Plaintiff alleges he purchased a 2018 Honda Accord for $27,487.19 and that Defendant Kallista Sauer-minder agreed to pay Plaintiff $900 per month in exchange for the use of the vehicle until the purchase price was paid...

Excerpt: ...t if the Court granted performance, the only claim on which a lis could be based. Plaintiff contested the tentative ruling and requested leave to submit supplemental briefing and evidence of Plaintiff's ability to #rform. The Court continued the hearing to April 24, 2023 for the submission of supplemental evidence and briefing. What follows is the Court's tentative ruling issued in advance of the March 27, 2023 hearing, a summary of the parties' ...

Excerpt: ...m Complaint, the Complaint also includes a narrative attachment along with several exhibits. It does not identify causes of action by title, but Plaintiff has not objected to Defendant's characterization of the Complaint as one for (1) retaliation under California public policy, (2) retaliation under Labor Code S 1102.5, (3) discrimination under Title VII, (4) discrimination under FEHA, (5) disability accommodation, (7) retaliation under FEHA, an...

Excerpt: ...uest for judicial notice is granted, but unnecessary as the Court can review its own files without need for judicial notice. Legal Standard The standard for granting a motion for judgment on the pleadings is essentially the same as that applicable to a general demurrer. (Burnett v. Chimney Sweep (2004) 123 Cal.App.4th 1057, 1064.) As a consequence, it may be granted if, from the pleadings, together with matters that may be judicially noticed, it ...

Excerpt: ...ned, the manner of partition." (Code Civ. Proc., S 872.720, subd. (a).) The manner of partition may be in kind or by sale. (Code Civ. Proc., SS 873.210- 873.50.) Partiton in kind is favored. (Butte Creek Island Ranch v. Crim (1982) 136 Cal.App.3d 360, 365.) In lieu of dividing the property among the parties, the court shall order the property be sold and the proceeds divided among the parties [if] the court determines sale and division of the pro...

Excerpt: ... MARTINEZ, CA DEPARTMENT 18 JUDICIAL OFFICER: DANIELLE K DOUGLAS HEARING DATE: 04/17/2023 within a development in Danville, CA known as Blackhawk Meadows. From the time the Evanses purchased their home, disputes arose with the developer, S&S Construction (sometimes the "Developer"), over alleged construction defects. In September 2020, Plaintiff Blackhawk Meadows Homeowners Association (sometimes the "HOA") filed this action for breach of the Dec...

Excerpt: ...ce S. Chou ("Defendant") was negligent in providing medical care in February 2018. (Defendant Stanford Health Care was dismissed prior to settlement conference discussed below.) On June 21, 2022, the Parties attended a Mandatory Settlement Conference ("MSC"), wherein the Partes reached a verbal agreement to resolve the dispute. The general terms of the agreement were reduced to writing in a document titled: "Settlement Agreement." Each of the Par...

Excerpt: ...m an auto versus pedestrian accident in which Plaintiff was injured. Plaintiff now moves to amend the complaint to include punitive damages allegations against Defendant Teresa Maria Tam. Plaintiff claims she learned in discovery that Defendant was intoxicated at the time of the accident, with a BAC of .255. Defendant opposes the motion. Defendant argues the Plaintiff unduly delayed in seeking the amendment, which is not based on newly discovered...