Excerpt: ...by Civ. Proc. Code § § 1032 and 1033.5. Plaintiff was the prevailing party at trial against each of the defendants other than 33D. (ROA #574.) “The mere filing of a motion to tax costs may be a “proper objection” to an item, the necessity of which appears doubtful, or which does not appear to be proper on its face. [Citation.] However, “[i]f the items appear to be proper charges the verified memorandum is prima facie evidence that the...

Excerpt: ...). Pla intiffs allege that defendants know about the bedbug infestation in their room and failed to completely eradicate it. [Complaint, ¶¶90 -91] From this, the reckless disregard of the probability of emotional injury is alleged. [Complaint, ¶94] These alleg ations are sufficient to state two of the elements. However, defendants have not alleged “severe” emotional distress. “Severe emotional distress [is] emotional distress of substant...

Excerpt: ... requirements for re lief under C.C.P. § 1008(a). However, the Motion appears to be timely (see Markow Decl. at ¶ 23, in ROA 574), which the Opposition does not dispute. It is also based on “new or different facts, circumstances, or law” sufficient to support the Motion. (Id. at ¶ 24.) It also would in any event support reconsideration on the Court's own Motion, based on what has been presented. (See Le Francois v. Goel (2005) 35 Cal.4th 1...

Excerpt: ...ng (“APS”) held on 07/24/23 before hearing officer G. Haros (“Haros”). Haros issued his decision following the APS on or about 08/04/23 (“Decision”). Petitioner lodged copies of all evidence (except for a video) produced at the hearing, the hearing transcript (“HT”), and the De cision with the court. The court first notes that Petitioner stipulated to issues of driving, lawful arrest, and advisement of what would happen if Petiti...

Excerpt: ... (1989) 207 Cal. App. 3d 291, 299) “Motions to disqualify counsel present competing policy considerations. On the one hand, a court must not hesitate to disqualify an attorney when it is satisfactorily established that he or she wrongfully acquired an unfair advantage that undermines the integrity of the judicial process and will have a continuing effect on the proceedings before the court. [Citations.] On the other hand, it must be kept in min...

Excerpt: ... This action was initiated on 08/25/23, when Plaintiff file d the Complaint. The Complaint contains sixteen causes of action relating to her employment at Rubio's and her subsequent termination therefrom. The parties dispute whether a valid arbitration agreement exists between the parties and whether the Endin g Forced Arbitration Act of 2022 (“EFAA”) applies to the entire action. 1. Is There an Agreement to Arbitrate that Covers the Claims ...

Excerpt: ...annoyance, embarrassmen t, or oppression, or undue burden and expense.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 2025.420(b).) The party seeking a protective order bears the burden of proving that good cause exists for the order. (Emerson Electric Company v. Superior Court (1997) 16 Cal.4th 1101, 11 10.) “Generally, a deponent seeking a protective order will be required to show that the burden, expense, or intrusiveness involved in … [the discovery procedure] ...

Excerpt: ...d on case law have no application to the facts of this case and thus the demurrer should be sustained without leave to amend. Code of Civil Procedure section 430.20 authorizes a demurrer to an answer where the answer does not state facts sufficient to constitute a defense or is uncertain. Whether an answer states a defense is generally governed by the same principles which are applicable in determining if a complaint states a cause of action. (So...

Excerpt: ...d Faith Settlement H enkel moves for an order determining that the settlement between Henkel and Plaintiff Mischa Denton (“Plaintiff”) was entered into in good faith pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure section 877.6. There is no precise yardstick for measuring “goo d faith” of a settlement with one of several tortfeasors. But a court must harmonize the public policy favoring settlements with the competing public policy favoring...

Excerpt: ...9;s stated cause of action. (Timberidge Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Santa Rosa (1978) 86 Cal.App.3d 873, 879- 880.) As to the first, second, third, fourth, and ninth affirmative defenses, Plaintiffs merely assert that they do not qualify as affirmative defenses because they are simply denials of elements of the causes of action in the Complaint. However, Plaintiffs provide no authority for the idea attacking specific elements of a cause of act...

Excerpt: ...Lifeguard Operations Division The City. According to the proof of service attached to the motion, the email address used by plaintiff for the City's counsel is “[email protected]” and the correct email address appears to be “[email protected],” based o n the Court's records. With regard to the motions for reconsideration, such must be filed within 10 days of service on her of notice of entry of the order in question. (Code C...

Excerpt: ..., special interrogatories and requests for production. Those three motions are CONTINUED as set forth below. MOTION TO SEAL A party requesting that a court record be filed under seal “must file a motion or an application for an order sealing the record.” CRC 2.551(b)(1). “ The motion or application must be accompanied by a memorandum and a declaration containing facts sufficient to justify the sealing.” (Id.) Here, Americor submits the ...

Excerpt: ...iscretion, and upon t erms it deems proper: (a) Strike out any irrelevant, false, or improper matter inserted in any pleading. (b) Strike out all or any part of any pleading not drawn or filed in conformity with the laws of this state, a court rule, or an order of the court.” (Civ. Proc. Code § 436.) Kui requests the court strike several portions of plaintiff D'Mario Few -Brewer's (“Plaintiff”) First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) which co...

Excerpt: ...party desiri ng to obtain discovery by a second physical examination or mental examination must obtain leave of court. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2032.310(a).) The motion must be accompanied by a meet and confer declaration. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2032.310(b).) The Court “shal l” grant the motion only upon a showing of good cause. (Code Civ. Proc. §2032.320(a).) The within action arises from an auto accident that occurred on 8/20/20. The complaint w...

Excerpt: ...ust be such that the mo ving party could not, with reasonable diligence, have discovered or produced it at the trial.” (New York Times Co. v. Sup.Ct. (Wall St. Network, Ltd.) (2005) 135 Cal.App.4th 206, 212 -213.) The party seeking reconsideration must also provide a satisfactory explanation for failing to present the information at the first hearing; i.e., a showing of reasonable diligence. (Garcia v. Hejmadi (1997) 58 Cal.App.4th 674, 690; C...

Excerpt: ... forms part of the defendants' back yard wall. The plaintiffs recently purchased the house and obtained a survey whereupon they discovered that the three -foot area in plaintiff's back yard is actually their property. Plaintiffs submit evidence that their detached garage has experienced repeated water intrusion as a result of dirt being up against the side of their garage to a level approximately 1.5 feet above their garage floor. Plaintiffs all...

Excerpt: ...hin 15 days. Demurrer Movin g Defendants demur to the fifth and sixth causes of action in the complaint on the ground said causes of action fail to state a claim and are uncertain. “In reviewing the sufficiency of a complaint against a general demurrer, we are guided by long -settle d rules. ‘We treat the demurrer as admitting all material facts properly pleaded, but not contentions, deductions or conclusions of fact or law. [Citation.] We a...

Excerpt: ...e motions t o compel deposition testimony of Ritesh Desai and Dawn Mills are GRANTED but the concurrent motions to compel production of documents are DENIED. MOTIONS TO COMPEL DEPOSITIONS OF VAN ALSTINE, GOMEZ AND CHAMBERLAIN CCP §2025.280 states: “(a) The service of a deposition notice under Section 2025.240 is effective to require any deponent who is a party to the action or an officer, director, managing agent, or employee of a party to att...

Excerpt: ...any irrelevant , false, or improper matter inserted in any pleading (b) Strike out all or any part of any pleading not drawn or filed in conformity with the laws of this state, a court rule, or an order of the court.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 436.) Health & Safety Code sec tion 1430 is part of the Long Term Care Act, which “is a ‘detailed statutory scheme regulating the standard of care provided by skilled nursing facilities to their patients....

Excerpt: ...lment” against Ford, based on allege d defects in her vehicle, but asserts only economic losses. Under the economic loss rule (the “ELR”), where a purchaser's expectations in a sale are frustrated because the product is not working properly, the remedy is in contract alone, for he has suffer ed only economic losses. (Robinson Helicopter Co., Inc. v. Dana Corp. (2004) 34 Cal.4th 979, 988.) Claims for monetary losses between contractual p...

Excerpt: ...initial matter, the court not es Officer Clay was dismissed from Plaintiffs' Complaint on 03/21/24 and Officer Clay dismissed his Cross -Complaint on the same date. (ROA 117, 119.) Thus, Officer Clay is no longer a party to this action. Accordingly, Defendants' request for judgment in f avor of Officer Clay is DENIED AS MOOT. The City raises several arguments in support of its contention that it is entitled to summary judgment in its favor as to ...

Excerpt: ...tion for summary judgment or adjudication is to allow a determination as to whether an opposing party cannot show evidentiary support for a pleading or claim and to enable an order of summary dismissal without the need for trial. (Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 8 26, 843.) BREACH OF ORAL CONTRACT – 1ST cause of action In this action, Plaintiff asserts that approximately 60 years ago, it entered into an oral contract with W...

Excerpt: ...nst him. Plaintiff asserts these causes of action against Defendant CITY only. The Court DENIES Defendants' request for judicial notice of Exhibits D and E. These documents are not the proper subject of judicial notice. As to Defendant's special demurrer, the Court OVERRULE S same. These causes of action are not so unintelligible that Defendants cannot reasonably respond. Any ambiguities can be clarified through discovery. (Lickiss v. Financial ...

Excerpt: ...ealment, or nondisclosure); (b) knowledge of falsity (or ‘scienter'); (c) intent to defraud, i.e., to induce reliance; (d) justifiable reliance; and (e) resulting damage. [Citation.]” (Small v. Fritz Companies, Inc. (2003) 30 Cal.4th 167, 173, internal quotation marks omitted.) In this medical negligence case, Plaintiff alle ges in the FAC that prior to Dr. Hennessy treating him, the defendants “made written affirmative representations ass...

Excerpt: ... from other matters properly subject to judicial notice. (Blank v. Kirwan (1985) 39 Cal.3d 311, 318.) The issue is the sufficiency of the pleading, not the truth of the facts alleged. Thus, no matter how unlikely or improbable, the allegations made must be accepted as true for the purpose of ruling on the demurrer. (Del E. Webb Corporation v. Structural Materials Co. (1981) 123 Cal.App.3d 593, 604.) Absent court orders or other items subject to j...

Excerpt: ...b)(2).) “‘The Discovery Act requires that, prior to the initiation of a motion to compel, the moving party declare that he or she has made a serious attempt to obtain “an informal resolution of each issue.” [Citations.] This rule is designed “to encourage the parties to work out their differences informally so as to avoi d the necessity for a formal order....” [Citation.] This, in turn, will lessen the burden on the court and reduce t...

Excerpt: ...intiff Michael Kinney (“Plaintiff”). The Motion is GRANTED as to COAs 5 and 6 but DENIED as to COAs 3 and 4. As a preliminary matter, Plaintiff claims that this Motion is untimely under C.C.P. § 425.16(f). However, although it is based on allegations that were also made in a prior pleading, the statutory deadline is reopened for a new COA in an amended pleading, even if based on protected activity alleged in the original complaint. (Starview...

Excerpt: ... that no signed order to show cause was issued for the present OSC hearing. Wh ile the Court previously issued a signed OSC for the OSC hearing on 01/25/24, that OSC was taken off calendar and the OSC was then continued to 03/28/24. (See ROA 2222.) The Court only issued a minute order continuing the OSC to the current date of 03/28/2 4. No signed order was issued. Because the OSC must formally notify respondent of the time and place of the contem...

Excerpt: ...5, 162, 164, and 238 -239). The court GRANTS the motions pursuant to CCP §§ 2031.280, 2031.300, a nd 2031.320. The court first notes that none of the documents that were produced in response to the RFP were produced to the court for its review. Based upon the arguments however, it appears that some redacted documents were produced in the responses. Defendants state that many of the redacted documents were not responsive to the requests, nor to...

Excerpt: ... of Civil Procedure section 425.16(g) provides: “All discovery proceedings in the action sh all be stayed upon the filing of a notice of motion made pursuant to this section. The stay of discovery shall remain in effect until notice of entry of the order ruling on the motion. The court, on noticed motion and for good cause shown, may order that s pecified discovery be conducted notwithstanding this subdivision.” “If the plaintiff makes a ...

Excerpt: ... set for this day and Plaintiff has not sought ex parte relie f to continue Defendants' Demurrer and/or Motion to Strike portions of FAC. The court declines to continue the hearing on the Demurrer and Motion to Strike set for this day. The unopposed Request for Judicial Notice is granted. “The court may take judicia l notice of the filing and contents of a government claim, but not the truth of the claim.” (Gong v. City of Rosemead (2014) 22...

Excerpt: ...s Co. (1981) 123 Cal.App.3d 593, 604.) Absent court orders or other i tems subject to judicial notice, or items attached as exhibits to the complaint, the court may not consider the contents of pleadings or other exhibits when ruling on a demurrer. (Day v. Sharp (1975) 50 Cal.3d 904, 914; Sosinsky v. Grant (1992) 6 Cal.Ap p.4th 1746, 1749.) “In our examination of the complaint we are guided by the well settled principles governing the testing o...

Excerpt: ...“RFP”) is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. On 01/25/24, the court continued the h earing on these motions and ordered Defendants to produce an updated privilege log that complied with the requirements laid out in Catalina Island Yacht Club v. Superior Ct. (2015) 242 Cal. App. 4th 1116 (“Catalina”). (ROA #131.) The court first notes De fendants did not produce a timely privilege log that permitted Plaintiff to review prior to the deadl...

Excerpt: ...inst cross -defendants Joel Farkas (“Farkas” indivi dually), Gateway American Resources, LLC, Kings Co. LLC, Latitude Accounting LLC (“CD” all together), and their attorneys Todd C. Theodora, Esq., Christopher J. Harney, Esq., Adrian L. Canzoneri, Esq. and Theodora Oringher PC. This matter involved a perso nal dispute between an Farkas and his former love interest (Smith). The pair did not split amicably and Farkas accused Smith of using ...

Excerpt: ...alment” against Ford, based on alleged defects in his vehicle, but asserts only economic losses. Under the economic loss rule (the “ELR”), where a purchaser's expectations in a sale are frustrated because the product is not working properly, the remedy is in contract alone, for he has suffered only economic losses. (Robinson Hel icopter Co., Inc. v. Dana Corp. (2004) 34 Cal.4th 979, 988.) Claims for monetary losses between contractual p...

Excerpt: ...nt Inducement – Concealment” against Ford, based on alleged defects in their vehicle, but asserts only economic losses. Under the economic loss rule (the “ELR”), where a purchaser's expectations in a sale are frustrated because the product is not working properly, the remedy is in contract alone, for he has suffered only economic losses. (Robinson Helicopter Co., Inc. v. Dana Corp. (2004) 34 Cal.4th 979, 988.) Claims for monetary loss...

Excerpt: ...in. DEMURRER TO FAC A demurrer for sufficiency tests whether the complaint states a cause of action. (Hahn v. Mirda (2007) 147 Cal.App.4th 740, 747.) When considering demurrers, courts read the allegations liberally and in context. (Wilson v. Transit Authority of City of Sacramento (1962) 199 Cal.App.2 d 716, 720-21.) In a demurrer proceeding, the defects must be apparent on the face of the pleading or via proper judicial notice. (Donabedian v. M...

Excerpt: ....) When considering demurrers, courts read the allegations lib erally and in context. (Wilson v. Transit Authority of City of Sacramento (1962) 199 Cal.App.2d 716, 720 -21.) In a demurrer proceeding, the defects must be apparent on the face of the pleading or via proper judicial notice. (Donabedian v. Mercury Ins. Co. (2004) 116 Cal.App.4th 968, 994.) As such, the court assumes the truth of the complaints properly pleaded or implied factual alleg...

Excerpt: ...Procedure section 2030.300, subdivision (c). On Septemb er 29, 2023, Defense Counsel emailed as follows: “Let's do October 31 as the deadlines for both parties to move to compel on all discovery to date served on each other (unless the current deadline is later than that, in which case the later deadline contro l s ) …” (¶9 of Watson Declaration and Exhibit 5 thereto; See also ¶7 of Rutten Declaration and Exhibit H thereto [ROA No. 101 at...

Excerpt: ...hysical and mental condition. (ROA 491, Exs. 1 -4.) Riemann here asserts that because Plaintiff had obtained trial continuances and a temporary stay on certain discovery based on neurosurgeries performed in 2022 and her subsequent recuperation requirements, these subpoenas were justified and appropriate. However, the records sought are plainly confidential records subject to substantial privacy protections. Where privacy rights are at issue in ...

Excerpt: ... to Civ. Proc. Code § 2031.310. As to relevance of d ocuments, “[u]nless otherwise limited by order of the court in accordance with this title, any party may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, that is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action or to the determination of any motion made in that action, if the matter either is itself admissible in evidence or appears reasonably calculated to lead to the dis...

Excerpt: ...an employee (or independent contractor) thereof, who was injured in the course of the work, the burden then shifts to plaintiff to produce evidence raising a triable issue of fact as to application of a Privette exception. It is undisputed that Plaintiff was hired by Defendant to perform housekeep ing work at the subject property and that Plaintiff was a self- employed independent contractor (UMF 3, 7). In the course of completing that work, Plai...

Excerpt: ... defendants filed the instant motion for reconsider ation which is largely the same as the papers filed on 10/18/23. Defective Service of Motion The Proof of Service attached to the motion fails to comply with CCP § 1013b. The proof of service for the motion does not list the electronic service address of the person making the electronic service. Instead, only the business physical address and not the email or electronic service address is pro...

Excerpt: ...l be withheld or augmented as provided in this section…[¶] (c)(1) If an off er made by a defendant is not accepted and the plaintiff fails to obtain a more favorable judgment or award, the plaintiff shall not recover his or her postoffer costs and shall pay the defendant's costs from the time of the offer…(2)(A) In determining whe ther the plaintiff obtains a more favorable judgment, the court or arbitrator shall exclude the post offer c...

Excerpt: ...e, or evasive; (3) An objection in the response is without merit or too general. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2031.310(a).) The moving party must “set forth specific facts showing good cause justifying the discovery sought by the demand.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 2031.310(b)(1).) “[A]bsent a claim of privilege or attorney work product, the party who seeks to compel production has met his burden of showing good cause simply by a fact -specific showing...

Excerpt: ...for RFP Nos. 9 -13, 27, 30 -35, and 39 -40. The reply does not meanin gfully attempt to argue contra. The Court has thus ruled here on those categories and RFPs only. For the PMQ categories, the Motion is GRANTED IN PART for Category Nos. 9 and 10, as to GM's warranty policy/procedure manuals or claim handling manuals for the period between Plaintiff's date of purchase and the date of suit, only, and for Category No. 22, also as to the reason or ...

Excerpt: ...chool Dist., (2003) 112 Cal.App.4th 904, 909 [“John R. m akes it clear that a teacher's sexual abuse of a child is not an act for which a school district may be held responsible.”].) Plaintiff makes no argument in the Opposition that the District can be vicariously liable for the conduct of Mills in sexually abu sing Plaintiff. However, as both parties recognize, the District can be vicariously liable for the negligent conduct of its empl...

Excerpt: ...ike the general demurrer to a complaint, the inquiry is not into the statement of a cause of action but whether the answer raises a defense to the plaintiff's stated cause of action. (Timberidge Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Santa Rosa (1978) 86 Cal.App.3d 873, 879 -880.) Plaintiffs demur to the 15th Affirma tive Defense on the grounds that CCP §340.5 is listed among several statutes of limitation and that it does not apply because it pertain...

Excerpt: ...15610.07, subd. (b), 15610.57, subd. (b); Delaney v. Baker (1 999) 20 Cal.4th 23, 34, 82); (2) knew of conditions that made the elder or dependent adult unable to provide for his or her own basic needs (Sababin v Superior Court (2006) 144 Cal.App.4th 81, 85, 90); and (3) denied or withheld goods or services necessary to meet the elder or dependent adult's basic needs, either with knowledge that injury was substantially certain to befall the e...

Excerpt: ...rk under Code of Civil Procedure section 664.5 or the date of service of written notice of entry of judgment or dismissal, or within 180 days after entry of judgment, whichever is first. Here, there has been no entry of judgment or dismissal. Accordingly, the time for filing the memo of costs has not run. With respect to the merits of the motion, except as otherwise provided, a prevailing party is entitled as a matter of right to recover costs ...