Excerpt: ...ect matter jurisdiction over a certain issue assumes it to the exclusion of all others and has the power to enjoin proceedings that are filed subsequent in time. (Franklin & Franklin v. 7 -Eleven Owners for Fair Franchising (2000) 85 Cal.App.4th 1168, 1175.) The rule of exclusive concurrent jurisdiction seeks to avoid two cases pertaining to the same subject matter pending in different courts at the same time, needlessly taking up court resource...

Excerpt: ...ed an opposition indicating he had only been served by electronic service. The proof of service respondent filed February 16, 2024 shows service by both U.S. mail and by electronic mail. Accordingly, while electronic service on a self -represented litigant who has not consent ed to electronic service is insufficient, Code Civ. Proc., § 1010.6, it appears the motion was properly served by mail. Nonetheless, the court exercises its discretion and...

Excerpt: ...th of statem ents contained in deposition transcripts is not subject to judicial notice, and the court declines to consider the deposition transcripts submitted by the parties for the purpose of ruling on the demurrer. Ruling on Demurrer Defendants Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and The Permanente Medical Group, Inc.'s (collectively, “defendants”) demurrer to plaintiff's first amended complaint (“FAC”) is sustained with leave to amend in it...

Excerpt: ...age, the notice of motion and motion, exhibits, declarations, attachments, table of contents, table of authorities, or proof of service. Additionally, the court notes defendants' objections to additional evidence submitted by plaintiff does not conform to the requir ements in California Rules of Court, Rule 3.1354 because it does not cite to any legal authority for the objections. Further, defendants' response to plaintiff's additional material f...

Excerpt: ...iding interest wi ll be prejudiced if certain records are not sealed. The court further finds that the proposed sealing of information is narrowly tailored, and that no less restrictive means to achieve the identified overriding interest exists. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2 .550(d).) The motion is granted in part and the court orders sealed the following documents only: - - - - Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of Mr. Miller's Mot...

Excerpt: ...ons or accuracy o f the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) The allegations in the pleading are deemed to be true no matter how improbable the allegations may seem. (Del E. Webb Corp. v. Structural Materials Co. (1981) 123 Cal.App.3d 5 93, 604.) However, “[i]f the allegations in the complaint conflict with the exhibits, we rely on and accept as true the contents of the exhibits.” (SC Manufactured Homes, In...

Excerpt: .... (Code Civ. Proc. , § 430.10, subds. (b), (e), (f).) “Uncertain” is defined as “ambiguous and unintelligible.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 430.10, subd. (f).) A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of the pleadings, not the truth of the allegations or the accuracy of the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) The allegations in the pleadings are deemed true no matter how improbable they may seem. (Del E. Webb ...

Excerpt: ...f the household . . . at least 18 years of age.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 415.20, subd. (b).) However, plaintiff contends defendants had already generally appeared in the action before they filed the instant motion to quash. “A general appearance by a party is equivalent to p ersonal service of summons on such party” and 8 thereby forfeits any objection to defective service. (Code Civ. Proc., § 410.50, subd. (a); Fireman's Fund Ins. Co. v. Sp...

Excerpt: ...may permit a party to amend a pleading in the furtherance of justice and on such terms as may be just. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 473, subd. (a)(1), 576.) Leave to amend is generally exercised liberally provided there is no showing of prejudice to the opposing party. (Howard v. County of San Diego (2010) 184 Cal.App.4th 1422, 1428; Douglas v. Superior Court (1989) 215 Cal.App.3d 155, 158.) Despite the policy of liberally allowing amendments, whether ...

Excerpt: ...o amend afte r a defendant files a demurrer. (Code Civ. Proc., § 472.) A review of the court's file reveals plaintiff had submitted for filing a first amended complaint on March 8, 2024 which the clerk rejected, noting “Leave of court is required.” While the court file reveals defendant Ferro Automotive Group, Inc. dba Fairfield Chevrolet had already answered, one defendant answering does not affect plaintiff's statutory right to amend...

Excerpt: ...e cause of action doe s not state sufficient facts to state a negligence cause of action. A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of the pleading, not the truth of the plaintiff's allegations or accuracy of the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) The allegations in the pleading are deemed to be true no matter how improbable the allegations may seem. (Del E. Webb Corp. v. Structural Materials Co. (1981) 123 Cal.A...

Excerpt: ... causes of action in the complaint. However, defendant is not a signatory to the retail installment sales contract (“RISC”). A non- signatory generally may not enforce an arbitration agreement. (Felisilda v. FCA US LLC (2020) 53 Cal.App.5th 486, 495.) There is, how ever, an exception to this general principle under the doctrine of equitable estoppel: “[A] nonsignatory defendant may invoke an arbitration clause to compel a signatory plaintif...

Excerpt: ... prayer for punitive damages on the grounds the complaint, as plead, does not provide a basis for punitive damages. (Code Civ. Proc. §§ 435, 436.) Punitive damages are available “where it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant has been guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice.” (Civ. Code § 3294, subd. (a).) Malice is “conduct which is intended by the defendant to cause injury to the plaintiff or despicable conduct w...

Excerpt: ...o the causes of action for negligence and premises liability in plaintiff Michael Bickers's first amended complaint. A motion for summary judgment may be granted if “all the 1 papers submitted show that there is no triable issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” (Code Civ. Proc. § 437c, subd. (c).) This is compared to summary adjudication that requires a showing that there is no meri...

Excerpt: ...eeks over ly broad records that are not calculated to lead to admissible evidence. The court agrees, as the subpoena seeks records not sufficiently limited to the 2021 vehicle collision, injuries therefrom, and treatment thereafter forming the basis of the current a ction. The subpoena is also not sufficiently limited in time, seeking records that predate the incident by approximately 7 years. The court may make an order modifying a subpoena or d...

Excerpt: ... on the Motion A party is entitled to bring a motion for summary judgment where there are no triable issues of fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (c).) The defendant bears the initial burden of establis hing that one or more elements of the cause of action cannot be established or that there is a complete defense to the cause of action. (Id. subd. (p)(2).) Only when this initial ...

Excerpt: ... sho w that there is no triable issue as to any 13 material fact and the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” (Code Civ. Proc. § 437c, subd. (c).) This is compared to summary adjudication that requires a showing that there is no merit to one or more of the causes of action. (Id. at § 437c, subd. (f)(1).) A motion for summary adjudication proceeds “in all procedural respects as a motion for summary judgment.” (Id. at...

Excerpt: ...t of the then- ongoing meet and confer efforts, no follow -up declaration was submitted and the parties provided no updates in support of the other two motions. The parties are admonished the court expects them to adhere to court orders and abide by the rules of the Code of Civil Procedure and Local Rules pertaining to good faith meet and confer efforts going forward. Motion for Further Independent Medical Examination Defendants move for an order...

Excerpt: ...d. Plaint iff's request for judicial notice is granted. Ruling on the Motion Defendants claim entitlement to fees under three legal theories. The first is that attorneys' fees in this instance are authorized by contract. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1033.5, subd. (a)(10); Civ. Code, § 1717.) Defendants rely on the employment contract between plaintiff and defendants, which contains an attorneys' fees provision for “the prevailing party in any action ...

Excerpt: ...icient to con stitute a cause of action or where the pleading is uncertain. (Code Civ. Proc., § 430.10, subds. (e), (f).) “Uncertain” is defined as “ambiguous and unintelligible.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 430.10, subd. (f).) A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of the ple adings, not the truth of the allegations or the accuracy of the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) The allegations in the pleadings ...

Excerpt: ... of action. A demurrer tests the 17 legal sufficiency of the pleading, not the truth of the plaintiff's allegations or accuracy of the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) The allegations in the pleading are deemed to be true no ma tter how improbable the allegations may seem. (Del E. Webb Corp. v. Structural Materials Co. (1981) 123 Cal.App.3d 593, 604.) The court, however, does not accept the truth of contenti...

Excerpt: ...ses of action do not sta te sufficient facts to state the alleged causes of action. A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of the pleading, not the truth of the plaintiff's allegations or accuracy of the described conduct. (Bader v. Anderson (2009) 179 Cal.App.4th 775, 787.) Th e allegations in the pleading are deemed to be true no matter how improbable 25 the allegations may seem. (Del E. Webb Corp. v. Structural Materials Co. (1981) 123 Cal.App...

Excerpt: ...ations in the pl eadings are deemed true no matter how improbable they may seem. (Del E. Webb Corp. v. Structural Materials Co. (1981) 123 Cal.App.3d 593, 604.) However, the court does not assume the truth of contentions, deductions, or conclusions of facts or law. (Evans v. City of Berkeley (2006) 38 Cal.4th 1, 6.) The court may only refer to matters outside the pleading that are subject to judicial notice. (Rea v. Blue Shield of California (201...

Excerpt: ...filed a jo inder to the opposition, which the court accepts. The court shall grant preference if the moving party is over the age of 70 years, has a substantial interest in the action, and “[t]he health of the party is such that a preference is necessary to prevent prejudicing the party's interest in the litigation.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 36, subd. (a).) The court may also “grant a motion for preference that is accompanied by clear and conv...

Excerpt: ...t o the first cause of action in their complaint for breach of contract. Summary adjudication requires a showing that there is no merit to one or more of the causes of action. (Id. at § 437c, subd. (f)(1).) A motion for summary adjudication proceeds “in a ll procedural respects as a motion for summary judgment.” (Id. at § 437c, subd. (f)(2).) In reviewing the motion, the trial court must view the supporting evidence, and inferences reasona...