Excerpt: ... the $60 motion fee. In reply, Defendant requests sanctions be increased to $2,895.00. Defendant's motion to compel further responses to its form interrogatories and request for admissions, number 3, is GRANTED. The motion to compel further responses to Defendant's special interrogatories and requests for production of documents is DENIED. Sanctions are granted in the amount of $1,610.00. This is a malpractice action. Plaintiff alleges that he re...

Excerpt: ...compliance with a subpoena, the moving party must first establish that the subpoena was properly served. Personal service of a deposition subpoena obligates any resident of California to appear, testify and produce whatever documents or things are specified in the subpoena; and to appear in any proceedings to enforce discovery. (CCP S 2020.220(c).) Here, Shimadzu has not provided proof of service for any of the subpoenas that are the subject of t...

Excerpt: ...nding completion of arbitration. This action was filed as the result of an automobile accident pursuant to which Plaintiff John W. Alger ("Plaintiff") sustained serious injuries. At the time of the accident, Plaintiff had an insurance policy with CSAA which provided underinsured motorist coverage in the amount of $100mo. On March 1, 2022, Plaintiff settled his claim against the underinsured Motorist for $15,0W.OO, the limit of her insurance polic...

Excerpt: ...declaratory relief, and unfair business practices. The FAC alleges that Freeman is an auto dealership located at 2875 Corby Avenue in Santa Rosa and that hired defendant Northwest General Engineering, LLC ("Northwest") in 2018 to excavate, clear, haul away, and dispose of construction spoils. (FAC, 95.) Northwest specializes in grading, paving, and underground site work. (FAC, 96.) Plaintiff alleges that Northwest contracted with Toby's Trucking,...

Excerpt: ..."MBSR"). On June 2, 2022, defendants MBSR and Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC ("M8," together "Defendants") moved to compel arbitration of the matter under the parties' lease agreement. On August 17, 2022, the court granted Defendants' motion and ordered the parties to arbitration. Plaintiff filed this motion on March 13, 2023, stating that Defendants have failed to respond to Plaintiff's arbitration request. This motion is brought pursuant to CCP section...

Excerpt: ...tiff's complaint alleges causes of achon against PG&E for negligence, violation of Business & Professions Code sections 17200 and 17500, nuisance, and strict liability. Plaintiff alleges its winemaking equipment was damaged after a vehicle hit PG&E's power pole causing an electrical surge. Plaintiff alleges that the placement of the pole on a dimly lit, tree-dense, narrow road, near an intersection that is the terminus of a steep decline made the...

Excerpt: ...'s file. The CMC was continued to March 8, 2022. Plaintiffs counsel failed to appear on that date and the court issued an order to show cause re dismissal for April 12, 2022. The OSC Re Dismissal was mailed to BD&J. On March 24, 2022, Plaintiff's current counsel substituted in. The tentative ruling for April 12, 2022, stated that the matter would be dismissed unless a party requested a hearing. Plaintiff did not request a hearing and the matter w...

Excerpt: ... 2022, are hereby set aside and vacated. CCP section 473(d) provides: "The court may, upon moton of the injured party, or its own motion, correct clerical mistakes in its judgment or orders as entered, so as to conform to the judgment or order directed, and may, on motion of either party after notice to the other party, set aside any void judgment or order." Proof of service of process was filed in this case on July 12, 2021. It states that summo...

Excerpt: ...e motion is GRANTED. Shimadzu is directed to file its amended pleading within 10 days of this order. Shimadzu states that it recently discovered that plaintiff and cross-defendant Cutting Edge Solutions, LLC ("CES") transferred substantially all of its assets to another company owned and controlled by CES's owner, John Piccirilli, without observing any standard corporate formalities. Shimadzu states that this was done after CES became indebted to...

Excerpt: ...ut to her car, her foot struck a ridge of dark asphalt- like substance, causing her to fall. Plaintiff alleges that the asphalt had been installed and maintained by Defendant and that she had complained to Defendant many times about the defect, which rose 1.5 to 2 inches above the ground, creating a dangerous condition. Despite these complaints, Plaintiff alleges Defendant did nothing to fix the dangerous condition. As a result of said breach, Pl...

Excerpt: ...rrer to Shep's first, second, and fourth causes of action is SUSTAINED without leave to amend. The demurrer to Shep's fifth cause of action for declaratory relief is SUSTAINED with leave to amend. At the original hearing on this matter on March 8, 2023, Shep argued that this motion was moot as it was directed to the original complaint. Shep also stated that they had not been given notice of the hearing. The court continued the matter to this cale...

Excerpt: ...y Complaint to allege causes of action for general negligence and intentional tort against Defendants (Amended Complaint, '1 10.) Plaintiff claims that she suffered wage loss, general damage, and as other damage, she specified "severe mental anguish, loss of consortium with son, depression, punitive damages, financial loss, loss of important time as well with son." (ld. at '1 11.) The Court notes, as Defendant points out in the demurrer, that tha...

Excerpt: ...red in the amount of $5,139.06 against the Defendant. Unless the parties request and appear for oral argument, the Court will sign the proposed order and judgment Plaintiff filed on April 18, 2023. Plaintiff brought this action against Defendant on June 10, 2022, to collect payment on a debt that Defendant owed to Plaintiff. On July 26, 2022, Plaintiff filed with this Court the Stipulation Agreement the parties entered into and signed, according ...

Excerpt: ...s tentative ruling is to DENY the application for staying all proceed-ngs pending the resolution of the criminal matter against Defendant based on Plaintiff's notice of unconditional settlement and upcoming dismissal of this entire matter. Parties' appearance is required at the April 26 hearing to update the Court regarding the status of the criminal matter and pending dismissal of this matter. This matter involves a motor vehicle accident. The c...

Excerpt: ...aintiff Michael Forte ("Plaintiff") and killing his wife, Gail Marie Forte ("Decedent"). Plaintiff alleges that Defendant has type 1 diabetes but willfully chose to drive knowing he was hypoglycemic resulting from diabetes medication and a 12-hour fast without food or water. Defendant knew that if he went too long without eating, the medication would cause his blood sugar to drop so low that he would suffer from adverse effects, including dizzine...

Excerpt: ...) Request for Admissions. Plaintiff requests sanctions in the amount of $6,282.50. The motion is MOOT. All requests for sanctions are DENIED. This action was filed by Plaintiffs against Defendants Douglas Raynor, Lasso Lane Development, LLC ("Lasso Lane"), and Raynor Electric ("Defendants") for various causes of achon based upon a residential lease agreement. Plaintiffs initially paid a $1,795.00 security deposit and a $1,000 pet deposit. They to...

Excerpt: ...2. Plaintiff and Defendant were previously in a domestic partnership, during which time they had children and purchased real property together. (See generally, Complaint, Cross-complaint.) Their relationship deteriorated for various reasons alleged in the parties' pleadings and they agreed to end ft, after which they entered into a written agreement for joint legal and physical custody of their children, for support, and for payment on property o...

Excerpt: ...e disputed ownership of real property Imrated at 6580 Barbara Drive, Sebastopol, California, 95472 ("Subject Property"). (See, Complaint, "1 18.) Plaintiff and Defendants share equal ownership and are shareholders of Blackwell Home, ("8+41"). (See, ld. at "7-9.) BHI funds were used to purchase the Subject Property, which Plaintiff claims the property ought to have been owned by BHI only, but which Defendant secretly and fraudulently transferred t...

Excerpt: ...perties located at 3540 Oakhaven Court, Santa Rosa, formally known as APN 029-222-009 ("Oakhaven"), and 4064 Bayberry Drive, formally known as APN 029-222-010 ("Bayberry"), in the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County (together "the Properties"). The County alleges that the code violations on the Properties have created a public nuisance. The County states that, as of the time this motion was filed, it has incurred costs, attorney fees, and daily...

Excerpt: ...also known as, Assessor's Parcel Number 055-220-015) ("Subject Pro#rty"). (Memorandum of Points and Authorities in support of the County's Motion for Default ["MPA"I, 991-15.) The County then inspected the property, observed the unpermitted structure, and served a notice and order to stop work on constructon personally to Defendant Ricky Googins and mailed the same to their address. (Ibid.) After a lack of response or appeal from Defendants on th...

Excerpt: ...late 2020, the County performed an investigation of a complaint made against Plaintiff, a sworn peace officer as defined in Penal Code sections 830 and 830.1, by a member of the Board of Supervisors ("BOS"). The investigation was completed on December 11, 2020, and the BOS issued a Formal Notice of Outcome of Investigation. Thereafter, the Press Democrat requested the investigation documents pursuant to a Public Records Act request and the BOS in...

Excerpt: ...dant. Prior to his employment at City Sports, Plaintiff had over 25 years in the health and fitness industry managing other commercial fitness facilities with similar business models as that of City Sports. In summary, Plaintiff alleges that City Sport's Regional Vice President of Fitness Sales, in part, made false promises to him; saddled him with work not required of other younger employees; failed to promote him as promised; promoted younger, ...

Excerpt: ...ner filed this action against Respondent pursuant to Welfare & Institutons Code section 15657.03. The prevailing party in an action brought under this section may be awarded court costs and attorney s fees, if any. (Welf. & Inst. Code, S 15657.03(t).) Code of Civil Procedure section 1032 indicates that when a party recovers other than monetary relief, the court determines the prevailing party. Here, Petitioner is the prevailing party as, after a ...

Excerpt: ...he owns 1% of the Property. He began living at the Property in approximately 2006. At that time, he paid rent to Enrique. In 2014, Enrique informed his children, including Onel, that he agreed that his interest in the Property belonged to Onel's mother, Juana Ramirez ("Ramirez") and that Onel should pay rent to her, which Onel states he has done. However, One' alleges that Enrique later devised a scheme to deprive Ramirez of her interest in the P...

Excerpt: ...stic Bakery International, Inc. as a named defendant. The motion is GRANTED. "The court may, in furtherance of justice, and on any terms as may be proper, allow a party to amend any pleading or proceeding by adding or striking out the name of any party, or by correcting a mistake in the name of a party, or a mistake in any other respect; and may, upon like terms, enlarge the time for answer or demurrer. The court may likewise, in its discretion, ...

Excerpt: ...the Property, the Referee determined that the minimum price for the Property set out in the settlement agreement is grossly excessive. He provides the following reasons why he believes the Property is worth less than half of the amount set out in the settlement agreement. It is a faux winery that has been converted to vinegar production, which is incompatible with wine production. All existing equipment would have to be removed and replaced to re...

Excerpt: ... consolidation will avoid unnecessary costs and delay as both cases can be tried as a single matter, eliminate the cost and expense of a second trial on the same facts, and promote judicial economy. This action involves plaintiffs Luisa Florencio Rivera ("Rivera"), Joanna Florencio ("Florencio"), and minor Felipe Carapia ("Carapia"), and defendants Thomas Louis Salazar ("Salazar") and David Michael Sullivan ("Sullivan"). The complaint alleges tha...

Excerpt: ...ve to amend, Defendants' concurrently filed motion to strike is GRANTED without leave to amend, as to the entre complaint. . Procedural History This action arises from Plaintiffs default on his mortgage and subsequent foreclosure on his home located at 9688 Barnett Valley Road, Sebastopol, California, 95472. (Complaint, 3, 11-21; Demurrer, 13:24-28, 14:1-13.) Plaintiff brought two separate, nearly identical actions in this Court regarding the sam...

Excerpt: ... on Plaintiff's cellphone on the date of the subject accident. Sanctions are granted in the amount of $1,050. Defendant argues that good cause exists to compel further response from Plaintiff requiring Defendant to produce his cell phone for inspection under Cal. Civ. Proc. Code SS 2031.310, 2016.040 because Defendant is only seeking relevant information that is admissible in evidence and reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissib...

Excerpt: ...mmon interest in real property located at 312 Broadmoor Street in Sonoma. Onel's father, Enrique Lopez ("Enrique"), initially owned the other 99%. In 21%6, Onel began living in the property and paid rent to Enrique pursuant to their agreement. In 2014, Enrique announced that his interest in the property belonged to Onel's mother, Juana Ramirez ("Ramirez"), and requested that One' pay the rent he was paying to Enrique to Ramirez. Onel alleges that...

Excerpt: ... in the court's file. 2. Mental Examination Plaintiff does not object to the mental examination; he had stipulated to it and agrees that he put his mental state at issue. However, his dispute is over the conditions, scope, and nature of the mental examination. Plaintiff has requested that defense expert Dr. Sharon Perlman Berry's raw data materials be sent directly to his counsel; that his examination be audio recorded; and, that the scope and li...

Excerpt: ...al Hospital. Plaintiff alleges that she has an insurance policy with Defendant which includes underinsured motorist coverage in the amount of $5COO[n. On August 22, 2022, Plaintiff settled her claim with the underinsured motorist for her policy limit of $15,0W. Thereafter, Plaintiff demanded payment from Defendant in the amount of $485,0Cü Defendant has refused to pay. Plaintiff's complaint alleges causes of action for breach of insurance contra...

Excerpt: ...his is a "Lemon Law" case brought by Plaintiff concerning a 2016 Hyundai Sonata, VIN KMHE54L24GA021333 ("the Vehicle") which Plaintiff alleges she purchased on or about March 2016. (FAC 9.) Plaintiffs FAC alleges that the Vehicle is a 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle with a 2.0L 14F DOHC 16V GDI NU engine ("Nu engine"), instead of the Theta II 2.0 engine that was alleged in the original complaint and barred by res judicata as a result of class actions....

Excerpt: ...on for breach of contract alleges that Defendant agreed to rent 701 Bailey Avenue in Petaluma for $2,000 a month. On or about January 8, 2021, he vacated the property leaving extensive damage, unpaid rent, and debris. Plaintiffs allege that Defendant owes $4,000 in unpaid rent, property damage repairs in excess of $25,000, and debris removal in excess of $5,000. Plaintiff's cause of action for conversion alleges that Defendant took a $30,000 cash...

Excerpt: ...., in Department 16, to allow Shep to address the merits of the demurrer. The FACC contains causes of action against Craft for (1) Total Equitable Indemnity; (2) Partial Equitable Indemnity; (3) Express Indemnity; (4) Contribution and Repayment; and, (5) Declaratory Relief. The court notes that Craft's demurrer does not include the third cause of action for express indemnity first raised in the FACC; and, the original cross-complaint is reference...

Excerpt: ...s”). Perryman alleges that in 2018, he turned to Defendants for a private hard money loan. Under the terms of the installment note, starting June 30, 2018, Perryman was to make monthly payments of $500. Late payments were subject to a 5% late fee. On November 30, 2018, the entire unpaid balance, together with accrued interest at 12%, would become due. Thereafter, the parties entered into a January 14, 2019 agreement whereby Perryman would make ...

Excerpt: ...'s complaint alleges a paramedic or paramedics employed or contracted by Defendant moved the unconscious Plaintiff, Alexis Mendez (“Plaintiff”), onto hot pavement prior to transporting her to the hospital. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant's actions were below the standard of care and caused Plaintiff to sustain third degree burns over much of her back. As a result, Plaintiff had two skin grafts and a very painful debridement procedure to remo...

Excerpt: ...ant and Intervenor Juana Ramirez to compel Plaintiff to provide further responses to Defendant's Demand for Inspection, Copying and Production of Documents, Set One, and Special Interrogatories, Set One. Defendant also seeks sanctions. On January 3, 2023, Plaintiff filed a special motion to strike Defendant's First Amended Cross-Complaint pursuant to CCP section 425.16. Subsection (g) of CCP section 425.16 provides: “All discovery proceedings i...

Excerpt: ...im or her through his or her mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 473(b).) The complaint in this matter was filed on March 17, 2022. It alleges that Defendant breached the terms of a workers compensation insurance policy and owes Plaintiff $96,343.38 together with interest. Proof of service of summons, complaint, and notice of assignment was filed on May 23, 2022. It states that Defendant was personally s...

Excerpt: ...453, 1457,1458, 1501, 1504, and 1505 and argues that counsel for the County has not provided Surety Bonds and have thus not shown that the County is not an illegitimate governmental entity. Government Code sections 1360 and 1363 relate to the oath taken by elected or appointed officers. Sections 1450, 1451, 1452, 1453, 1457, and 1458 pertain to official bonds. Sections 1501, 1504, and 1505 pertain to the condition and form of bonds. While no decl...

Excerpt: ...administrator of the Estate of Shasikant B. Patel (“Respondent”). The motion is made on the grounds that the Award was procured by the Respondent's fraudulent representation that she was the legally appointed “personal representative” of the estate of her deceased husband, Shasikant Patel (together with Respondent “the Patels”), and that the Arbitrator failed to determine the central question presented for arbitration—i.e., the valu...

Excerpt: ... Care & Children's Health Initiative” (the “Initiative”) to submit signatures for qualification of the Initiative for the November 2024 election, and to allow the Registrar of Voters to accept and examine additional signatures, notwithstanding the requirements that all sections of initiative petitions be submitted to county officials at the same time and that no further action be taken on a petition that initially fails to qualify. Petition...

Excerpt: ...nification as to the claims of Plaintiffs Latchmi Lala and Kevin Lala (together “Lala Plaintiffs”) per the contractual terms of the subject lease agreement entered into between Plaintiffs and Defendants. The motion is GRANTED. Plaintiffs filed their complaint on May 26, 2021, alleging causes of action against Defendants for (1) Premises Liability; (2) Negligence; (3) Intentional Misrepresentation; (4) Breach of Contract; (5) Breach of Warrant...

Excerpt: ...nt alleges that defendant John Randall Hayslip (“Hayslip”) was riding his bike when he suddenly turned directly into Plaintiff's path while she was riding on her Vespa. The collision caused her to fall from the Vespa and hit her head on the ground. As a result, she sustained serious injuries including traumatic brain injuries. With respect to Defendant, the complaint alleges that she negligently entrusted the bike with Hayslip despite knowing...

Excerpt: ...plaint filed by Plaintiff Daniel Hester (“Plaintiff”). The demurrers to Plaintiff' first cause of action for negligence, fourth cause of action for vicarious liability for employees, and fifth cause of action for liability of government employees pursuant to Government Code section 840.2 are SUSTAINED without leave to amend. The demurrers to the second cause of action for dangerous condition of public property and third cause of action for no...

Excerpt: ...tal. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant's actions were below the standard of care and caused Plaintiff to sustain third degree burns over much of her back. Plaintiff had two skin grafts and a very painful debridement procedure to remove dead tissue, and she has significant permanent scarring over a wide area of her back. Paramedics and other emergency rescue personnel are entitled to the benefit of the general rule that, absent a special relationsh...

Excerpt: ...n Management, Inc., Vallen W. Cooper, CPM, Inc., Chad Cooper, Kellin A. Baker, an individual ; Kellin A. Baker DBA Accurate Maintenance & Janitorial Aka Accurate Property Services ("Defendants") answer to the Complaint, and to affirmative defenses 1 to 6, 8 to 10, 12 to 14, 16, 17, 22, 24 and 25. The demurrer is made pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 430.20 (a) on the basis affirmative defenses 1 to 6, 8 to 10, 12 to 14, 16, 17, 22, 24 ...

Excerpt: ... When he did not receive compensation, he filed a claim with the California Labor Commissioner on December 23, 2020. A hearing was held on February 22, 2022. The Labor Commissioner issued a decision awarding Plaintiff $9,630.85. On June 17, 2022, Defendant filed a Notice of Appeal. 1. Undertaking Labor Code § 98.2(a) and (b) govern the appeal of an order, decision, or award of the Labor Commissioner. “As a condition to filing an appeal, an emp...

Excerpt: ... FAC alleges one cause of action for Governmental Liability for Medical Negligence under Government Code sections 815.2(A) and 820(A). Plaintiff alleges that on February 12, 2020, she was involved in a motor vehicle collision caused by defendant Mary Neville (“Neville”). City's personnel, defendants Prokop and Burke (together “Paramedic Defendants”), responded to the scene and undertook to provide medical care to Plaintiff. The FAC allege...

Excerpt: ...etion in public employees and therefore did not impose mandatory duties; the Penal Code sections cited only contain definitions and therefore do not impose a mandatory duty; and discretionary immunity bars any cause of action for failure to discharge a mandatory duty claim under Welfare and Institutions Code §§ 328 (1998), 16501(f), and 16504. The demurrers are SUSTAINED with leave to amend. This matter is also on for the County's motion to str...

Excerpt: ...s Vallen W. Cooper dba Commonwealth Property Management; Commonwealth Property Management, Inc., Commonwealth Association Management, Inc., Vallen W. Cooper, CPM, Inc.; Vallen W. Cooper; Chad Cooper; Kellin A. Baker; and Kellin A. Baker dba Accurate Maintenance & Janitorial aka Accurate Property Services (“Defendants”) until after Plaintiffs' pending discovery motions have been resolved and Defendants have provided adequate discovery response...

Excerpt: ...st Bruce Safer and Cynthia Wise dba Safer Properties Real Estate and Property Management (“Defendants”). The complaint alleges that Defendants owned, managed, and negligently maintained a dangerous condition on their property consisting of a shower and that said shower resulted in injury to the Plaintiff. While not stated in the complaint, the parties state that Plaintiff claims he experienced a seizure while showing at property managed by De...

Excerpt: ... request of the parties. The motion is DENIED. This matter was initiated on May 26, 2022. The complaint alleges that on August 23, 2007, Plaintiff James William Madden III (“Plaintiff”) signed a promissory note and first-lien deed of trust for a home loan (“the Loan”). In January of 2020, Plaintiff submitted a loan modification application to Wells Fargo Bank (“Wells Fargo”), the entity that Plaintiff believed was the servicer of his ...

Excerpt: ....Bisno”); Cross-Complainants JAJ1, LLC; JAJ2, LLC; JAJ3, LLC; JAJ4, LLC; JAJ5, LLC (“JA Entities”); and Robert H. Bisno (“R.Bisno,” altogether “Bisno Parties”) to pay their pro-rata share of arbitration fees. The motion is DENIED. On December 16, 2020, this Court granted Palmer's motion to compel all but the indemnity cause of action alleged in the Bisno Parties' cross-complaint to arbitration based upon arbitration provisions provi...

Excerpt: ...ness & Professions (“B&P”) Code section 17200, et seq. Motion Plaintiff seeks preliminary approval of a class‐action settlement (“the Settlement”) covering a class of about 1,885 current and former California resident employees, with a non‐reversionary gross settlement amount (“the Gross Amount” or “GSA”) of $295,000. The Settlement includes payment of attorneys' fees and cost up to one third of the GSA, about $98,332.35 plus ...

Excerpt: ...e of action and is uncertain. The demurrer to the fourth, fifth, sixth, and twelfth causes of action are SUSTAINED. Only the demurrer to the twelfth cause of action is sustained without leave to amend. The demurrer to the remaining causes of action is OVERRULED. On July 14, 2022, Lawrence Strick was appointed demurrer facilitator in this case. Despite the parties' good faith in meeting and conferring with the demurrer facilitator, no resolution w...

Excerpt: ...Amended Complaint is SUSTAINED. Defendant's Motion to File Documents Under Seal is GRANTED. Defendant's counsel shall submit a written order consistent with this tentative ruling and in compliance with Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 3.1312 unless The Court instructs the parties otherwise at the conclusion of the hearing on this matter. Regarding Plaintiff's requests for Judicial Notice, the court takes notice of the following: 1. California Rule of Pr...

Excerpt: ...e court to make a final determination that the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. In all other respects, however, the court finds that Plaintiff has resolved the issues which this court raised at the prior hearing. At the original hearing on this matter on October 5, 2022, this court found discussions of the discovery conducted in this litigation, the strengths of the claims, and the reasonableness of the settlement amount, to be inade...

Excerpt: ... The motion is DENIED. The contract which contains the arbitration agreement is the Plaintiff's sale contract between her and dealer Hyundai of Petaluma (“HOP”). (Ameripour decl., Exhibit 2.) The contract contains an arbitration provision which indicates that either Plaintiff or HOP, or HOP's employees, agents, successors or assigns, may choose to have a dispute between them decided by arbitration. (Ibid.) The arbitration clause provides that...

Excerpt: ...sts and expenses in the amount of $12,323.28. The motion is GRANTED. Attorney fees are awarded in the amount of $23,945.00. Costs are awarded in the amount of $7,881.13. 1. Legal Standards California courts use the lodestar analysis to determine reasonable attorney fees. (Ketchum v. Moses (2001) 24 Cal. 4th 1122, 1132.) The lodestar amounts to “the number of hours reasonably expended multiplied by the reasonable hourly rate.” (PLCM Grp. v. Dr...

Excerpt: ...tes of limitations. Durgin demurs to the Fourth Cause of Action for Negligence on the grounds that Plaintiff failed to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 430.10(e), and that it is barred by the applicable statute of limitations, including those provided in Code of Civil Procedure sections 335.1 and 338(a). The demurrers are OVERRULED. Plaintiff's complaint alleges causes of action fo...

Excerpt: ...are filed, this Court will take the compliance hearing off- calendar.” (May 12, 2022 order.) On October 14, 2022, Plaintiff filed the declaration of Taylor Mitzner (“Mitzner”), the case manager at Phoenix Settlement Administrators (“PSA”), on behalf of the settlement administrator regarding Plaintiff's final accounting. The Mitzner declaration indicates that the total amount to be distributed to 478 class members was $224,775.02. (Mitzn...

Excerpt: ...ived at trial is insufficient as a matter of law to support the jury's verdict, and that a motion for directed verdict in favor of Jose Alves could have and should have been granted during trial had such motion been made. Plaintiff has also given notice that he intends to move for a new trial pursuant to CCP section 657(1) and (6). A party moving for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and a new trial must serve upon all other parties and file a...

Excerpt: ...th action wherein Plaintiffs allege that defendant Michael Young (“Young”), while in the course and scope of his employment with Transform, struck decedent Allen Joson, causing his death. On January 11, 2022, defendants Young and Transform (together “Defendants”) filed their answer. Their fourth affirmative defense alleges negligence/fault of others. On August 11, 2022, Plaintiffs served Transform with a Notice of Deposition scheduled for...

Excerpt: ...hen she caused the subject collision. The motion is DENIED. Plaintiff filed his complaint alleging motor vehicle personal injury. It alleges that on September 23, 2021, while in the coarse and scope of her employment, VanVorst negligently, without headlights at night, drove her vehicle into Plaintiff by making a left hand turn at an intersection without yielding to him. 1. Objections CSN's objection number 1 is sustained. The remaining objections...

Excerpt: ...enses in the amount of $12,323.28. In opposition to this motion, Defendant American Honda Motor Co., Inc. filed 45 pages of objections to Plaintiffs' evidence. The majority of these objections are based upon Plaintiffs' counsel's declaration describing the facts alleged in the case. These are not relevant to the issue of attorney fees and/or the declarant lacks personal knowledge of the facts. Defendant's objection numbers 1 through 9, 16, and 18...

Excerpt: .... This action was filed on May 17, 2021, by Johnston | Thomas Attorneys at Law PC (“Plaintiff”) against Kimberly Colvig (“Colvig”). The complaint alleged breach of contract and sought $343,775.00 in damages. The complaint alleged that the parties entered into an agreement for legal services, which Plaintiff provided, but that Colvig failed to pay the amount owed. Plaintiff filed a declaration of non‐service in this case indicating that ...

Excerpt: ...oson and Lesly Oporto as GAL for Jacob Oporto, a minor (“Plaintiffs”), allege that Young, while in the course and scope of his employment with Services, struck decedent Allen Joson from behind, causing his death. A criminal action is currently pending against defendant Young based upon the same facts at issue in this case. (See SCR‐748635‐1.) “To the extent that such privilege exists under the Constitution of the United States or the St...

Excerpt: ....12, 15.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5, and 16.6; and Special Interrogatories, Set One, numbers 14 and 15. The motion is DENIED as to Form Interrogatories 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, and 14.1. Sanctions are awarded in Plaintiff's favor against Defendants and their counsel of record in the amount of $3,044.00. Plaintiff served Form Interrogatories, Set One, on Defendants on April 15, 2022. (Declaration of Josh West [“West Decl.”], ¶¶ 2, 3, Exs. 1‐2.) Plaint...

Excerpt: ...Plaintiffs”). The motion is DENIED. Plaintiff's second cause of action in their cross‐complaint alleges that plaintiffs William Tourady and Ginger Tourady (“Touradys”) are the owners by adverse possession of certain real property comprising a rectangular strip of land consisting of fifteen (15) acres, more or less, between the eastern border of Sonoma County Assessor's Parcel Number 106‐250‐011 as marked by a very old fence line runni...

Excerpt: ...t a case management conference for September 20, 2022, at 3:00 p.m., in Department 16. Accordingly, this motion is MOOT. #2: Motion for Terminating Sanctions This matter is also on calendar for the motion of Defendants Sutter Bay Hospitals dba Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital and Cristina Cuellar (“Defendants”) for an order for terminating sanctions and entering judgment by default against Plaintiff Dan Diaz (“Plaintiff”). The motion i...

Excerpt: ... ICW and Defendant All-Terrane Excavating, Inc. entered into a written Settlement Agreement to resolve the issues raised in the complaint. Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, it was agreed that commencing on September 15, 2021, Defendant would make to ICW, five (5) equal payments of $2,831.11 per month, and one final payment of $2,831.13, for a total of $16,986.68. All payments were due and were to be received by ICW on or before t...

Excerpt: ...any action which has resulted in the enforcement of an important right affecting the public interest if: (a) a significant benefit, whether pecuniary or nonpecuniary, has been conferred on the general public or a large class of persons, (b) the necessity and financial burden of private enforcement, or of enforcement by one public entity against another public entity, are such as to make the award appropriate, and (c) such fees should not in the i...

Excerpt: ...pay wages due at separation of employment. 1. PAGA standards Under PAGA, an aggrieved employee may bring a civil action personally and on behalf of other current or former employees to recover civil penalties for Labor Code violations. (Cal Labor Code section 2699(a).) 75 percent of any penalties recovered go to the Labor and Workforce Development Agency (“LWDA”), leaving the remaining 25 percent for the employees. (Id. at (i).) PAGA is inten...

Excerpt: ...r sanctions pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 128.5 and 128.7 in the amount of $50,000 for Plaintiffs' allegedly meritless demurrer to JRK's amended answer. In their First Amended Complaint (“FAC”), Plaintiffs allege that JRK Residential is a large residential property owner, manager, operator, and lessor, which owns 25,273 multifamily units in the United States and 12 apartment complexes in California. JRK Residential is a subsidi...

Excerpt: ...Dale decl., ¶1.) Due to his position with RAC, he has access to, and is familiar with, RAC's business records, including personnel records. (Id., ¶¶2, 4.) Mr. Dale states that Plaintiff was hired by RAC as a Customer Service Representative on February 4, 2016. (Id., ¶5.) He states: “As part of Plaintiff's onboarding process, Plaintiff reviewed and completed new hire documents using Taleo, RAC's online onboarding platform. As part of the onl...

Excerpt: ...e complaint, which is GRANTED. Trial currently set for October 7, 2022, is hereby vacated. Discovery is reopened. The Court hereby sets this matter for a Case Management Conference on January 17, 2023, at 3:30 p.m., in Department 16. The Court will reset the matter for trial at that time. Plaintiff is ordered to file the proposed amended complaint within 10 days of this order. “The court may, in furtherance of justice, and on any terms as may b...

Excerpt: ...(3),(b),(d); and for breach of the implied warranty of merchantability based upon Plaintiff's purchase of a 2015 Ford F-350 vehicle. Pursuant to this motion, Ford argues that each of Plaintiff's claims are subject to mandatory arbitration pursuant to the Retail Installment Sale Contract (“RISC Agreement”) which states that all disputes between the parties are subject to arbitration under the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”). Under the FAA,...

Excerpt: ...ated, Defendant brandished a firearm at a third party driving a Honda Civic. Defendant allegedly drove his Chevy Silverado into the Honda Civic multiple times causing both vehicles to block southbound US-101 in a perpendicular position. At the same time, Plaintiff was driving her Hyundai Tucson southbound on US-101. She was unable to avoid the vehicles obstructing the highway and collied into them. She obtained serious injuries. Plaintiff's compl...

Excerpt: ...ories, Set One, Numbers 2.3, 4.1, 12.1, 12.2, 12.4, and 17.1; Special Interrogatories, Set One, Numbers 3-17, and 19-45; and Request for Production of Documents, Set One, numbers 1, 3-8, and 10-34 is GRANTED. The motion is DENIED as to Plaintiffs' Request for Production of Documents numbers 2 and 9. Sanctions are awarded against Defendant and her counsel of record, Raymond N. Stella Erlach, in the amount of $2,000. The motion to compel defendant ...

Excerpt: ...on against the Graton Resort & Casino alleging that he was profiled and harassed because of his race by two Graton Security Officers in the Casino's parking lot. Plaintiff states he was approached by the security officers while sitting in his car and explained to them his medical reasons for his prolonged time in his car. Plaintiff complains that other patrons sitting in other vehicles were not approached. Plaintiff's complaint is based upon peac...

Excerpt: ...es of action 1-5 in the cross-complaint and imposing monetary sanctions on the grounds that the causes of action lack merit and are objectively unreasonable and frivolous. Defendants oppose the motion, arguing that they have evidentiary and legal support for their claims. CCP section 128.7 imposes a requirement that every motion, pleading, and the like be represented as brought in good faith, with a good-faith belief that it is valid and not for ...

Excerpt: ...endant General Motors, LLC (“Defendant”) for breach of the implied warranty of merchantability and breach of express warranty under the Song-Beverly Warranty Act. The parties settled pursuant to Defendant's Offer of Compromise wherein Defendant agreed to settle this case for $17,000 and permitting Plaintiff to keep the nine-year old vehicle at issue in this case. The Offer of Compromise was signed by Defendant's counsel on August 16, 2021 and...

Excerpt: ...ry 15, 2015 and the date of class certification; (2) Meal Period Class ‐ All persons employed by Defendants in a call center as hourly or non‐exempt employees in California who worked a shift of at least five (5) hours between February 15, 2015 and the date of class certification; (3) Off‐the‐Clock Class ‐ All persons employed by Defendants in a call center as hourly or non‐exempt employees in California between February 15, 2015 and ...

Excerpt: ...��the burden is on the plaintiff to prove the existence of jurisdiction by proving, inter alia, the facts requisite to an effective service.” (Summers v. McClanahan (2006) 140 Cal.App.4th 403, 413.) A registered process server's declaration of service establishes a presumption affecting the burden of producing evidence of the facts stated in the declaration. (American Express Centurion Bank v. Zara (2011) 199 Cal.App.4th 383, 390.) Proof of ser...

Excerpt: ...T. Barnes and United Employees Law Group, PC, as Class Counsel. The motion is GRANTED. A settlement or compromise of an entire class action, or of a cause of action in a class action, or as to a party, requires the approval of the court after hearing. (Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 3.769(a).) Any party to a settlement agreement may serve and file a written notice of motion for preliminary approval of the settlement. (Rule 3.769(c).) The settlement ag...

Excerpt: ... himself, his wife Sheri Peterson, and his daughter Brittney Peterson. The Petition stated that Respondent had stalked Brittney Peterson for years, assaulted her, and threatened to shoot Petitioner. After the hearing on this matter on March 23, 2022, a Civil Harassment Restraining Order was filed against Respondent (“the Order”). The Order requires the Respondent stay at least 500 yards away from each of the protected people, which also inclu...

Excerpt: ... Repair. It alleges that on or about September 30, 2020, Plaintiff purchased a new 2020 Mercedes GLC350E4 (“the Vehicle”) from Defendants. (Complaint, ¶6.) The Vehicle had 180 miles on the odometer at the time of delivery. (Ibid.) The Vehicle came with an express warranty. (Id., at ¶7.) Plaintiff alleges she tendered the Vehicle with 13,152 miles on the odometer to Dealer on June 23, 2021, for various malfunctions, including an error messag...

Excerpt: ...- 16.5, and 17.1. In opposition, Defendant has agreed to amend his responses to these form interrogatories. The motion is GRANTED. Sanctions are awarded on this motion in the amount of $1,206.50. Defendant argues that, despite agreeing that his answers to these form interrogatories should be amended, sanctions are not appropriate because of the total number of discovery requests that were made in this case, because he provided responses and has a...

Excerpt: ...in Defendant's favor in the amount of $1,576.65. On August 4, 2022, this Court filed an Amended Notice and Order of Appointment of Eric Young as Discovery Facilitator. Mr. Young met with the parties and has filed his report with the Court. The Court thanks Mr. Young for his time and service in this matter. First, the Court notes that Defendant has not provided a separate statement as required by Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 3.1345. However, as this ...

Excerpt: ...ments requested in the deposition notices. Plaintiff requests sanctions. 1. Deposition of Michael Mallatt, P.A. In opposition, Defendant Michael Mallatt indicates that his deposition was taken on July 12, 2022. Thus, except as to the issue of sanctions, this motion is moot. Sanctions are sought, in part, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 2025.450(g)(1), which provides: “If a motion under subdivision (a) is granted, the court shall imp...

Excerpt: ...ies in this action. The right to attorney fees is based upon the Deed of Trust and Promissory Note that was at issue in this case. Code of Civil Procedure sections 1032 and 1033.5(a)(10) together allow the prevailing party in an action to obtain attorney fees as costs when authorized by contract, statute, or law. Code of Civil Procedure section 1032(a)(4) defines a “prevailing party” as including “the party with a net monetary recovery, a d...

Excerpt: ..., Wrongful Foreclosure, and Unfair Business Practices (Bus. & Prof. Code, §§ 17200 et seq.). The complaint alleges that Plaintiff's real property was sold via a trustee's sale despite her belief that she timely filed a bankruptcy petition prior to the sale, and despite no Notice of Default and Election to Sell Under Deed of Trust having been recorded. Defendant's request for judicial notice of recorded documents is granted. 1. First Cause of Ac...

Excerpt: ..., and unintelligible. The demurrer is SUSTAINED WITHOUT LEAVE TO AMEND. Plaintiff's complaint alleges causes of action for (1) Tax Refund; and (2) Quasi- Contract/Unjust Enrichment. Plaintiff alleges that the County assessor assessed Plaintiff for property taxes denominated as “sewer fees” in connection with certain parcels of commercial real property owned by Plaintiff. Plaintiff alleges that the methodology for collecting taxes against comm...

Excerpt: ...tter for contempt proceedings. The Court notes that the proposed order contains findings that will be at issue in the contempt hearing. County Counsel is directed to provide an amended order which only contains the language of the order to show cause as contempt proceedings have not commenced and, therefore, no findings have been made. The application is made on the grounds that on August 4, 2021, this Court entered a judgment regarding real prop...

Excerpt: ... Inc.; Chad Cooper; Kellin A. Baker; and Kellin A. Baker DBA Accurate Maintenance & Janitorial aka Accurate Property Services ("Defendants") to post a bond, undertaking, or other security in the amount of their statutory exposure, or any other sum that the Court deems appropriate to protect the public and prevent Defendants from having the opportunity to transfer, dissipate, or conceal their assets. Alternatively, ex rel. Plaintiffs seek other eq...

Excerpt: ... and costs in the amount of $8,972.55. This action was commenced on September 4, 2019. Judgment was filed on March 21, 2022. The County was determined to be the prevailing party entitled to its attorney fees and abatement costs. (See Gov. Code, § 25845(c); Sonoma County Code section 1‐7(f).) The County brings this motion to set the amount of fees and costs owed by Defendants. As set out in the Declaration of Michael A. King, the County request...

Excerpt: ...nks Mr. Meyer for his service in this matter. Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) alleges causes of action for Inverse Condemnation, Wrongful Foreclosure, and Injunctive Relief. The action is based upon Plaintiff's purchase, in 2008, of property located at 3353 Mountain Home Ranch Road, Calistoga, California 94515 (“the Property”). In or around March 28, 2011, Plaintiff obtained a private loan for $350,000 from Gold by executing a...

Excerpt: ...plains of illegal cannabis growing activities along with unpermitted, non- compliant structure, electrical, and other improvements and uses on the Property, and alleges that its efforts to obtain compliance have been in vain. Plaintiff filed proofs of service on February 4, 2022 showing that it effected personal service of the summons and complaint on each Defendant at 1324 E. Cotati Avenue #104, Rohnert Park, on December 31, 2021. Plaintiff requ...

Excerpt: ...e of the new hearing date and information. Facts Plaintiff brought this action to recover money which he claims Defendant owes pursuant to a written agreement by which plaintiff loaned Defendant $12,846 in return for specified monthly payments. Plaintiff complains that Defendant failed to make payments and defaulted. After Defendants answered, the parties filed only case management statements prior to Plaintiff filing a dismissal of the entire ac...