Excerpt: ...approval of the class action settlement (the "Motion"). The Motion is GRANTED. II. Procedural History A. The Complaint The presently operative Complaint ("Complaint") alleges that Defendant failed to pay overtime compensation as required by the California Labor Code ("LC") and applicable wage orders because it alleges meal and rest break violations, that Plaintiffs were deprived of their rest breaks and/or were not provided timely rest breaks, th...

Excerpt: ...47.) Complaints are read as a whole, in context and are liberally construed. (Blank v. Kirwan (1985) 39 cal.3d 311, 318; see also, Stevens v. superior court (1999) 75 cal.App.4th 594, 601.) In reviewing the suffciency of a complaint, courts accept as true all material facts properly pleaded, but not contentions, deductions, or conclusions of fact or law, or the construction of instruments pleaded, or facts impssible in law. (Rakestrawv. Californi...

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: ...o state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, that there is another action proceeding between the same parties, and for misjoinder of parties. Defendant's demurrer to Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint is OVERRULED . II. Analysis A. Standard on Demurrer A demurrer tests whether the complaint sufficiently states a valid cause of acton. (Hahn v. Merda (2007) 147 Cal.App.4th 740, 747.) Complaints are read as a whole, in context and are...

Excerpt: ...ation between it and Respondent. Petitioner alleges that it and Respondent entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement ("the Agreement") in Santa Rosa, California, by which Respondent agreed to purchase property and rights related to "Public Adjuster Marketing" and agreed to pay Petitoner a specified amount, but breached the Agreement by failing to pay the full amount owed, resulting in a dispute. It contends that the Agreement included an arbitrati...

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: ...) Violation of Sonoma County Code 526-92-150 and 526-92- 260; (4) Violation of Sonoma County and Plumbing Code; (5) Violation of Sonoma County Code 526-06- 040, setback; (6) Public Nuisance; and (7) Private Nuisance. This matter is on calendar for Defendant's demurrer to all causes of action within the Complaint pursuant to Cal. Code Civ. Proc. ("CCP") S 430.10(e) for failure to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, that there i...

Excerpt: ...pposition does not comply with the California Rules of Court. Pursuant to the Rules of Court, memorandums in opposition may not exceed 15 pages without permission of the Court and if the memorandum exceeds 10 pages, it must be accompanied by a table to contents and table of authorities. (Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 3.1113(d) & (f).) "A memorandum that exceeds the page limits of these rules must be filed and considered in the same manner as a late-f...

Excerpt: ... already passed. Accordingly, this request is moot. Plaintiff has requested the Court contact the prison where he is housed and inform them of all future scheduled court hearings as well as make arrangements for him to be able to appear at the hearings for this matter via telephone. Plaintiff is responsible for keeping himself apprised of the scheduled hearings in this matter. Furthermore, as outlined in the Court's tentative rulings webpage, all...

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: ...n a water leak, Plaintiff was denied insurance coverage when looking to repair the damage. (ld. at 15-16.) Plaintiff complains that Defendant PIA and Defendant Chuck Elvert as an agent of PIA breached their duty in failing to procure insurance for Plaintiff, to notify Plaintiff insurance was not obtained, or to notify Plaintiff of a gap or cancellation of coverage. (ld. at '1 2.) Defendant disputes this claiming that it did obtain coverage for Pl...

Excerpt: ... Defendants at the Colibri Grill Café ("CGC") she suffered sexual harassment, a hostile work environment, and discrimination based on her gender. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Alberto Gomez ("Gomez") owns and operates CGC and is the one who engaged in the alleged wrongful conduct. On August 18, 2022, Plaintiff served Defendant Gomez with Form Interrogatories—General Set One; Form Interrogatories — Employment, Set One; Special Interrogator...

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: ...for any action brought relating to the Project. (ld. at 3:1-4.) Plaintiffs David Pelayo, Roberto Hernandez, Edmond Andre, Bryan Munoz, and Brian Medeiros (together "Plaintiffs"), who were employed by UPA to work on the Project, were paid less than the required rate and filed their complaint alleging violations of various California Labor Code, among other causes of action, and naming as defendants UPA and the City. (ld. at 3:1-4; Plaintiffs' Comp...

Excerpt: ...y's moton pursuant to Cal. Code Civ. Proc. ("CCP") S 664.6 to enforce settlement. The Motion is DENIED. I. Underlying Facts The parties participated in multiple settlement conferences. On November 10, 2022, the parties appeared before the Honorable Judge Zuniga, and the parties came to a framework of terms which were orally recited before the Court. See generally Declaration of Michael King in Support ("King Decl"), Exhibit 2 ("Transcript"). Duri...

Excerpt: ...ew reply papers must be filed and served by May 19, 2023. Alternatively, the parties may resolve this matter by stipulating to a new Complaint-in-Intervention or they may appear and attempt to resolve the matter at the hearing. The court will continue the matter as specified above absent resolution. Facts and History Plaintiff complains that on May 28, 2021 he suffered injuries as a result of Defendants' negligence in maintaining safety on a cons...

Excerpt: ... memorandums to 10 pages without leave of Court. Defendant did not seek leave of Court to submit an oversized brief. Accordingly, in fairness to Plaintiff, the Court will not consider the last two pages of Defendant's reply memorandum. Furthermore, Defendant submitted a notice of errata with its reply papers which submits the 2011 and 2012 editions of its constitution and membership requirements. Plaintiff has not had the opportunity to respond t...

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: ...de Civ. Proc. ("CCP") S 435. The motion is GRANTED with leave to amend. Legal Standards A motion to strike lies where a pleading contains "irrelevant, false, or improper matter[s]" or is "not drawn or filed in conformity with the laws of this state, a court rule, or an order of the court." CCP S 4361b). However, "falsity," must be demonstrated by reference to the pleading itself of judicially noticeable matters, not extraneous facts. See CCP S 43...

Excerpt: ...compel Plaintiffs to submit their claims to arbitration and to stay this pending litigation, alleging that Defendant Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. ("Health Plan") is a non-profit public benefit corporation and licensed health care service plan under the Knox-Keene Health Care Services Plan Act of 1975("the Act") at H&S Code section 1340, Plaintiffs were, through Tammy's employment, enrolled in Health Plan with an Evidence of Coverage ("EOC"...

Excerpt: ...ir depositions, Defendants previously gathered that Plaintiffs were alleging the following: 2. 3. 4. Hall: Ongoing pain in shoulders, knees, lower back, and neck. (MTC, 2:24-27; Declaration of Adrianne C. Duncan ["Duncan Decl."], "2, 4-6, Exhibit A, Exhibit B.) Noakes: Ongoing pain in lower back and left leg. (MTC, 3:2-6; Duncan Decl„ 4, Exhibit C.) Williams: Ongoing pain in back, neck, left leg, and headaches. (MTC, 3:7-11; Duncan Decl., 95, E...

Excerpt: ...ng other vehicles with the same components. Plaintiffs brought the Vehicle for maintenance or repair issues but Defendant did not disclose the true problems and failed to cure the defects. Plaintiff asserts that Defendant's conduct violated the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act ("Song-Beverly") is at Civil Code ("CC") section 1790, et Plaintiff eventually filed a notice of conditional settlement ofthe entire action. He later filed a moton to enf...

Excerpt: ... their complaint against defendants Hang "Henry" Chen ("Chen"), Yin "Carlson" Chan ("Chan"), Kawana Santa Rosa Holdings, LLC ("Holdings"), Yu "Pierson" Pan ("Pan"), Ying Gao aka Ivy Chenn ("Gao"), Propriis LLC, DL Propriis Construction LLC, and DL Propriis Construction, Inc. (collectively, "Defendants"). Plaintiff Wu, alleging that she is sole owner of Coulombe and that the owns a 24.59% interest in nominal Defendant Kawana Meadows Development, L...

Excerpt: ...rete pump and hose. Plaintiff initially named as Defendants only Shep Concrete Pumping and Kyle Shepherd (collectively, the "Shep Defendants") but on October 15, 2021, he filed an amendment naming as Defendants Worden Enterprises, Inc., ("Worden"), Gallagher Construction, Inc. and William Gallagher (collectively, the Gallaher defendants"), Redwood Empire Concrete Pumping Equipment ("Redwood"), and Tire & Company ("Goodyear") Meanwhile, the Shep D...

Excerpt: ...ng and in compliance with Rule 3.1312. The Court thanks the appointed demurrer facilitator for his detailed and informative report. Analysis: l. Standards on Demurrer A demurrer tests whether the complaint sufficiently states a valid cause of acton. (Hahn v. Merda (2007) 147 Cal.App.4th 740, 747.) Complaints are read as a whole, in context and are liberally construed. (Blank v. Kirwan (1985) 39 cal.3d 311, 318; see also, Stevens v. superiorcourt ...

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: ... Defendants negligently left a b-cycle rack on their car protruding into a pedestrian area at 860 Gravenstein Highway in Sebastopol, knowing that it was not readily visible to pedestrians, so that as Plaintiff walked by, she struck the rack and suffered injuries. Plaintiff's attorney filed a motion to be relieved as counsel, which the court granted on February 9, 2022. The order granting the motion was entered on April 18, 2022. Defendants Rachel...

Excerpt: ...d, Sebastopol. After she filed the original complaint, captioned "Quiet Title Suit," she filed a "First Amended Petition" ("FAP") on March 18, 2022. Plaintiff filed an ex parte motion to seal the FAP on March 22, 2022 which was denied. Defendants demurred to the FAP but the court continued the demurrer from its original hearing because petitioner had appeared without giving notce to the court or other parties. At the second hearing on November 9,...

Excerpt: ...other requests for summary adjudication are DENIED. Defendant's objections numbers 2, 5, 9-16 to Plaintiff's evidence are SUSTAINED. All other objections are OVERRULED. Counsel for Defendant Richard Cardiff shall submit a written order consistent with this tentative ruling and in compliance with Rule 3.1312. Analysis: l. Underlying Facts In 1994, Defendant Cardiff began running youth group tennis classes or tennis camps at Ragle Park during the s...

Excerpt: ... this tentative ruling and in compliance with Rule of Court 3.1312(a) and (b). l. Facts and Procedure This action arises from the employment of Plaintiff Roberto Caballero (hereinafter "Plaintiff) with Defendant Jackson Family Wines, Inc. (hereinafter "Defendant") during the period of August 28, 2017, to June 1, 2020, as a non-exempt, hourly-paid General Winery Worker at Defendant's Skylane location in Sonoma County. (Declaration of Virginia Laws...

Excerpt: ...al Hist This achon arises out of business and employment agreements between Plaintiffs Tatum Trantham, Whitney Morris, and Sue Carol Trantham (together "Plaintiffs") and Defendants Kim Lichter Gardner and William Cody Leck (together "Defendants"), in regards to Defendants' business Two Rocks of Two Rock LLC. (Memorandum of Points and Authorities in support of Motion to Compel ["MTC Leck"], 1:22-26.) Plaintiffs served Form Interrogatories, Set One...

Excerpt: ...24, 2022. Following his arrest, Petitioner requested an administrative hearing on March 1, 2022 and after the hearing before a hearing offcer, Respondent on June 27, 2022 issued an Order of Suspension for one year. He contends that on his detention, he rejected a breath test and instead chose to undergo a blood test, but that when the staff at the hospital to which he was taken were unable to find a suitable vein, the arresting officer simply aba...

Excerpt: ...et, LLC, ("601") to recover back rent from its tenant, Defendant David Frym ("Frym"), under case number SCV- 267300 (the "underlying action"). (Memorandum of Points and Authorities in support of Motion to Strike Complaint ["ant-SLAPP Motion"], 7:7-9.) Frym, through his counsel Defendant Cory Birnberg ("Birnberg"), then filed a cross-complaint in the underlying action against 601, as well as its representative Angela DeCarli ("DeCarli") and fts co...

Excerpt: ...Defendant"), arising initially out of the County's refusal to grant Plaintiffs a building code exemption. This matter is on calendar for County's demurrer to all causes of action within the Complaint pursuant to Cal. Code Civ. Proc. ("CCP") S 430.10(e) for failure to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, and for issue preclusion under collateral estoppel. l. Legal Standards A demurrer can be used only to challenge defects that a...

Excerpt: ...r is OVERRULED. Cross-Defendant Pepper Shack's motion to strike is MOOT due to the sustaining of the demurrer to the Fourth Cause of Acton as to this cross- defendant. Cross-Defendants The Design Build Company, LLC, Robert Auger, and Jon Currier have not filed a joinder to the motion to strike nor their own motion to strike. Counsel for Cross-Defendant Pepper Shack Consulting, LLC shall submit a written order consistent with this tentative ruling...

Excerpt: ...filed with the court on April 27, 2022, for payment of the entire amount. The entire case was dismissed without prejudice on May 9, 2022, on the condition that the court would retain jurisdiction under Code of Civil Procedure ("C.C.P.") section 664.6 to enforce the settlement. Per the Agreement, Defendant agreed to pay "a downpayment of $180.48 on or before March 25, 2022, followed by a minimum of $180.56 on the 25th day of every month with the f...

Excerpt: ...ndividually and as successor and heir of her daughter, Vanessa French ("Decedent") filed the original complaint in this action against Defendants Andrew Patrinellis, M.D. and Napa Valley M.D. arising out of Decedent's death. Meanwhile, after Wendy had filed her complaint in this action, Decedent's father Patrick French ("Patrick" or "Father Plaintiff") filed a separate action against Defendant Patrinellis ("Defendant") arising out of Decedent's d...

Excerpt: ...dication is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. Summary adjudication of Plaintiff's Second Cause of Action for Breach of Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing and Fourth Cause of Action for Negligent Misrepresentation is GRANTED in favor of Defendants. Summary adjudication is denied as to all other causes of action. Defendants' request for judicial notce is GRANTED. The following objections raised by Defendants are sustained: objection to SSLJF...

Excerpt: ... at 5687, 6685, and 6683 Sonoma Highway in Santa Rosa ("the Property") on September 23, 2020, they entered into the Contract and obtained the Policies covering the Property. They add that they own and operate a winery, flower farm, vineyard, and wedding venue on the Property. Plaintiffs allegedly had begun the process of obtaining insurance coverage for the Property through Defendant Cheda Insurance Agency ("Cheda") and its producer, Defendant Ja...

Excerpt: ... 2020 in Sonoma County at the intersection of State Route 12 ("SR-12") onto Arnold Drive. (Complaint, "1 1-15fPA11 .) The State supplied a traffic collision report prepared by the California Highway Patrol regarding the subject collision, attached as Exhibit 2 to the declaration of Skitch W Crosby in support of the motion for summary judgment ("Decl. Crosby"). Per the traffic collision report, the investigating California Highway Patrol officer T...

Excerpt: ...f his conditions. He allegedly was admitted to the Facility for rehabilitation following an emergency hospital treatment, he suffered from Parkinson's disease, and he was accordingly unable to care for himself. Defendants, however, allegedly neglected him and mistreated him, failing to care for his basic needs and provide for his safety, causing injuries. Among other things, Plaintiffs allege, Thomas was allowed at least twice to fall and suffer ...

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: ...intiff by her motion seeks this Court to deem that Defendants' have waived all objections by untimely service of responses to Plaintiff's Request for Admission. Plaintiff mainly argues that the responses were only e-served by email on the agreed upon deadline on July 22, 2022, in violation of the Discovery Act at code of Civil Procedure ("C.c.p.") sections 2033.240(a), 2033.250(a), 2033.270(a), and 2033.280(a), and that hard copies were not timel...

Excerpt: ... engaged in discovery, and appeared for a settlement conference in 2015. (ld. at 3:19-28.) Ford filed a motion for summary judgment but took it off calendar when Plaintiff represented that it would accept an offer for settlement. (ld. at 4:1-10.) Plaintiff thereafter filed a conditional notice of settlement on February 16, 2015, representing that a request for dismissal would be filed no later than "March 24, 2016," but Plaintiff failed to do so,...

Excerpt: ...granting Defendants Acrisure of California, LLC, Michael Holzman, and Lynne Wallace's motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff had alleged the following causes of action against these defendants: 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Age Discriminaton in Violation of FEHA (Acrisure only) Race Discrimination in Violation of FEHA (Acrisure only) Failure to Prevent Discrimination (Acrisure only) Unjust Enrichment Resulting from unlawful Discriminatory Conduct (Acrisur...

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: ...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: ...ion that occurred on or about September 7, 2020. (See, Complaint; Motion for Attorneys' Fees, 2:8-9; Declaration of Angela N. Markwth ["Markwith Decl. 'II, 2; Opposition, 2:11-12.) Trial was set on this matter for August 19 2022. (See Plaintiff's Opposition, 2:14-15). August 15, 2022, four days prior to trial, Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the matter without prejudice due to Plaintiffs incarceration and lack of ability to communicate with couns...

Excerpt: ...ent"); the Policy covered the Accident and included an underinsured-motorist provision with a coverage limit of $3COO[n; Plaintiff brought a claim against the other driver and settled that claim for the other driver's insurance limit of Plaintiff made written demand to Defendant to pay her the balance available under her Policy; it was clear that Plaintiff's damages exceeded the Policy limit; yet Defendant refused to settle Plaintiffs claim or ma...

Excerpt: ..."Youngs") to purchase alcoholic beverages but that although Youngs performed, Defendants breached the contract by failing to pay the amount owed. Plaintiff filed this action to collect the debt, allegedly $2,265.08, plus interest. Defendant filed an answer denying the allegations and raising affrmative defenses. On August 30, 2022, Plaintiff served Defendant with a Request for Production of Dcmaments ("RFPs"), First Set of Special Interrogatories...

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: ...quest, Defendant has waived all objections to it. (CCP S 2031.300) Defendant is ordered to respond to these special interrogatories, without objections, within 30 days of notice of entry of an order on this motion. Plaintiff has requested sanctions in the amount of $7,250.50 for this motion alone. This is based on Plaintiff's counsel's declaration that counsel spent 17.9 hours on the motion and on attempts to meet and confer with Defendant. Plain...

Excerpt: ... already denied that moton. Nick Turner's Motion to Vacate (Cancel) Judgment DENIED. There is no proof of service. As explained below, the moving party must file a proof of service demonstrating service of the moving papers and notice of the hearing. The moving party also has failed to demonstrate good cause as required for the relief sought. Facts and History Plaintiff claims that Defendants Heather Corona, Bonnie Schultz, Mike Schultz, Nicholas...

Excerpt: ... and Order dated January 22, 2021 and the County's determination of penalties in the amount of $17,500. Respondents County of Sonoma and Permit Sonoma (the "County") posted a Notice and Order on Petitioners' property on January 22, 2021 for Unlawful Commercial Cannabis use in violation of Sonoma County Code ("SCC") Chapter 26. The County issued this Notice and Order following a code inspector's ins#ction of the property and finding of cannabis cu...

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: ... and Leave to Defendant Acton ["Motion"], 1:25-27.) Plaintiff later filed an amended complaint on June 30, 2022, and filed a proof of service of process on September 8, 2022, on the amended complaint. (Mohon, 1:28, 2:1.) Due to lack of response, Plaintiff requested for entry of default against Defendant on September 21, 2022. (Motion, 2:2- 6,) Defendant has filed this Motion on the grounds that, due to the excusable neglect of their counsel, Defe...

Excerpt: ...ched the contract by failing to pay the amount owed. Plaintiff filed this action to collect the debt, allegedly $6,806.12, plus interest. Defendants failed to appear, so Plaintiff took their default on April 21, 2022, and obtained a default judgment against them on May 16, 2022 for $8,267.60. Plaintiff then brought a motion to appoint a receiver to take control of, and sell, Defendants' liquor license. The court denied the motion without prejudic...

Excerpt: ...referred to as “Defendants”). The Prior Action involved 97 plaintiffs and 28 defendants. Plaintiff alleges that Defendants negligently mishandled the litigation which resulted in Plaintiff's award being diminished, allowed defendant Zuckerman to obtain bankruptcy protection shielding him from the judgment, miscalculated how much of the award Plaintiff was entitled to, failed to allocate any of the award for fees and costs to Plaintiff, and ha...

Excerpt: ...nts of breach of contract. Cross-Defendant demurred, and on July 13, 2022, the Court sustained the demurrer in part as to the first cause of action and overruled as to the second and fourth causes of action. Cross-Defendant served a notice of entry of order on the demurrer to the SACC on August 25, 2022. Cross-Complainants filed their third amended complaint (“TACC”) on September 21, 2022. This matter is on calendar for Cross-Defendant's moti...

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: ...rly Consumer Warranty Act, Civ. Code § 1790 et seq. (the “Act”) and Negligent Repair. Plaintiff purchased a 2018 Dodge Ram 2500 (the “Vehicle”) from Dealer. During the sales process Plaintiff and Dealer executed a “Retail Installment Sale Contract – Simple Finance Charge (With Arbitration Provision)” (“RISC”). (See Declaration of James P. Mayo in Support (“Mayo Decl.”), Exhibit A.) The RISC contains an arbitration provision...

Excerpt: ...einafter “Defendant”) during the period of August 28, 2017, to June 1, 2020, as a non-exempt, hourly-paid General Winery Worker at Defendant's Skylane location in Sonoma County. (Declaration of Virginia Lawson in Support of Defendant's Amended Motion to Compel Arbitration and Dismiss Non-Individual PAGA Claims [“Lawson Decl.”], ¶ 3.) As part of the hiring process, Plaintiff signed an Arbitration Agreement (the “Agreement”), that was ...

Excerpt: ...elers Property Casualty Company of America (“Plaintiff Travelers”) also filed a complaint in the matter titled Travelers Property Casualty Company of America v. Jairo Lara Maldonado, et. al., Court Case Number SCV-269675. (See, Id. 6:18-21, Exhibit B.) Defendants state in their motion that the two matters arise from the same motor vehicle incident occurring on November 18, 2019 at Highway 121 near the intersection with 8th Street East in Sono...

Excerpt: ...ed a notice of lien against any judgment in Plaintiff's favor, pursuant to Labor Code (“Lab.Code”) sections 3850-3865, to recover workers' compensation insurance benefits which it paid to Plaintiff as a result of the accident. The matter went to trial and on July 5, 2022, the jury entered a verdict in favor of Plaintiff. Judgment in favor of Plaintiff was entered on August 3, 2022. Motions This matter has come on calendar now for four motions...

Excerpt: ...his action arose from a residential lease-rental agreement (“Agreement”) entered into between Cross- Defendants and Cross-Complainants on or about March 1, 2019, for residence at the property located at 7782 Sonoma Highway Unit B, Santa Rosa, California (“Subject Property”). (See, Cross-Defendants' Complaint for Damages [“Complaint”], ¶ 9; Cross-Complaint of Daniel O'Connor, Debra O'Connor, and O'Connor Properties, LLC [“Cross-Comp...

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: ...tion arises from a motor vehicle collision that occurred on February 4, 2020. Plaintiffs allege that decedent Stephanie Miranda (“Decedent”) died on impact as a result of colliding with Defendants' tractor- trailer parked illegally on the Bicentennial Avenue off-ramp shoulder of the US-101 where Decedent was exiting the freeway. (See, Defendants' Memorandum of Points and Authorities Motion for Leave, at 3:16- 20; Plaintiffs' Complaint pg.4.) ...

Excerpt: ...an Order to Show Cause re Contempt for Failure to Comply with this Court's Financial Condition Discovery Order DENIED without prejudice as explained herein. Facts and History This is a companion case to the prior SCV-254172, in which Plaintiff/Cross-Defendant/Cross- Complainant Ron Matteri (“Plaintiff”) to this action sought to inspect the records of Defendant/Cross- Complainant Shear Builders, Inc. (“SBI”). Alleging that he and Defendant...

Excerpt: ... reply on motions for summary judgment may not exceed 10 pages. Accordingly, the Court will consider only the first 10 pages of the memorandum. Objections: Plaintiffs' objection to Defendants' evidence is OVERRULED. The following objections made by Defendants are SUSTAINED: objection numbers 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, and Plaintiffs' additional undisputed material facts numbers 41 and 73. The remaining objections made by Defendants are OV...

Excerpt: ... 437(c) 1) of the first cause of action in the Complaint (for breach of express warranty) under the Song-Beverly Act (the “Act”); 2) of the second cause of action in the Complaint for negligent repair. For the reasons set forth below, the motion for summary judgment is DENIED. The motion for summary adjudication as to the first cause of action is DENIED. The motion for summary adjudication as to the second cause of action is GRANTED. I. Evide...

Excerpt: ... of Documents and for Sanctions Against Joseph B. Reiter GRANTED in full, as set forth below, along with monetary sanctions of $1,121.10 for fees and costs plus $250 based on CCP section 2023.050. Facts and Procedural History In their First Amended Complaint (“FAC”), Plaintiffs allege that Michael Adams (“Adams”) and Dustin Gibbens (“Gibbens”) are managers of, and owners of a beneficial interest in, Plaintiffs' Piner Place, LLC (“Pi...

Excerpt: ...e opposition. The Court does exercise its discretion to do so and has considered Plaintiff's opposition. This matter was recently before the Court on a motion filed by Plaintiff for which Plaintiff failed to follow the Rules of Court and the Court warned Plaintiff of the necessity to do so. The Court reiterates that admonition now and informs Plaintiff that any future filings that do not comply with the Rules of Court will not be considered by th...

Excerpt: ...ruck and injured Antonio Perez (“Perez”), employee of Plaintiff's insured, Katz House of Color, Inc. (“Katz”) and that Plaintiff therefore paid funds to Perez under the workers' compensation insurance policy which it provided to Katz. Plaintiff seeks to recover the money owed from the alleged wrongdoer, Defendant. Plaintiff filed a proof of substituted service on Defendant on March 24, 2022. This shows that Plaintiff served Defendant by s...

Excerpt: ...of action: (1) Violations of California Civil Code §56.20(b); (2) Violations of California Civil Code §56.20(c); and (3) Fraud. This matter is on calendar for Defendants' demurrer to all causes of action within the Complaint pursuant to Cal. Code Civ. Proc. (“CCP”) § 430.10(e) for failure to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. The Demurrer is OVERRULED in part and SUSTAINED with leave to amend in part. I. Legal Standard...

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: ...tiffs filed an opposition. On December 20, 2022, Plaintiff filed a request for dismissal as to Defendants Yeng Brooks, Tina Rivera and Christina Cramer, and for the cause of action of fraud as to Defendant County. Accordingly, only the causes of action for violations of Civil Code §56.20 against Defendant County of Sonoma (“Defendant County”) remain at issue in this demurrer. Plaintiff is a former employee of Defendant County who complains t...

Excerpt: ...t McKissock and Defendant Healy were employees of Defendant SVH working in human resources. On August 8, 2022, Plaintiff filed the now operative first amended complaint (“FAC”) adding Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation (“Defendant Foundation”) as a defendant and alleging three causes of action for (1) violation of Civil Code §56.20(b); (2) violation of Civil Code §56.20(c) [1]; and (3) fraud. [2] The above-mentioned defendants are collec...

Excerpt: ...e. Defendants are Mark Thomas Home, LLC (“Entity Defendant”) and Mark Lasecke (“Lasecke”), the principal and owner of the Entity Defendant. Plaintiff asserts six causes of action: 1) Violation of Labor code (“Lab.Code”) section 970 for misrepresenting the character, length, and terms and conditions of employment; 2) Lab. Code Section 221 for forcing Plaintiff to pay back wages to recover a reimbursement which Defendants had agreed to ...

Excerpt: ...l Further Responses to Requests for Production, Set One, a Motion to Compel Further Responses to Form Interrogatories – General, Set One, and a Request for Judicial Notice. Plaintiff provides the declaration of attorney Megan Clark and attached exhibits in support of the motions. Defendants assert that on June 30, 2022, they served a Request for Production of Documents, Set One and Form Interrogatories – General, Set One on Plaintiff (“Disc...

Excerpt: ..., the Complaint was dismissed as to Michael Lateef, as an individual. On October 12, 2022, Defendant Hanson Bridgett, LLP (“Defendant Law Firm”) filed this motion to compel arbitration and stay this action. Plaintiffs filed an opposition. Defendant Law Firm filed a reply. Relevant Facts Defendant Law Firm and Plaintiff Paul Bigham entered into an attorney-client relationship for Defendants to provide legal services regarding the sale of Plain...

Excerpt: ...stering the state-subsidized Home Safe program (“the Program”) providing housing assistance and other benefits, improperly and negligently deprived Richard Tonti (“Decedent”) of benefits, causing in his death, which otherwise could have been avoided. Specifically, she contends, Decedent was enrolled through the Program at PEP Housing and suffered from treatable health problems but Defendants required Decedent to vacate the PEP Housing on ...

Excerpt: ...er Code of Civil Procedure (“CCP”) § 2031.300. The motion is DENIED. Plaintiffs' request for sanctions is GRANTED. I. Relevant Law Regarding the RPODs, a demand for production may request access to “documents, tangible things, land or other property, and electronically stored information in the possession, custody, or control” of another party. A party to whom a document demand is directed must respond to each item in the demand with an ...

Excerpt: ... that after leg surgery, she was admitted to Defendant Summerfield Healthcare Center (“SHC”) for recovery but Defendants' conduct resulted in her developing a Stage III pressure ulcer. Decedent was then transferred to Defendant Healdsburg Senior Living Community (“HSLC”) where Defendants allowed the wound to worsen, resulting ultimately in her death. As of January 10, 2023, only Defendant Pacifica SL Grove Street LP dba Healdsburg Senior ...

Excerpt: ...dant Marguerita Descalso (“Marguerita”) with the latter's permission, and in the accident caused injuries to Plaintiff's insured. Plaintiff paid the losses for its insured under an applicable uninsured motorist coverage and now seeks to recover that loss from Defendants. Plaintiff filed a proof of service for service of the summons and complaint upon Megan, showing substituted service as of July 2, 2021. In August 2021, Plaintiff filed proof ...

Excerpt: ...or Defendants' demurrer to all causes of action within the Complaint pursuant to Cal. Code Civ. Proc. (“CCP”) § 430.10(e) for failure to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, and for issue preclusion under collateral estoppel. The Demurrer is SUSTAINED with leave to amend. I. Legal Standards A demurrer can be used only to challenge defects that appear on the face of the pleading under attack or from matters outside the plea...

Excerpt: ... calendar for Defendants' demurrer to all causes of action within the Complaint pursuant to Cal. Code Civ. Proc. (“CCP”) § 430.10(e) for failure to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, and for issue preclusion under collateral estoppel. The Demurrer is SUSTAINED with leave to amend. I. Legal Standards A demurrer can be used only to challenge defects that appear on the face of the pleading under attack or from matters outsi...

Excerpt: ...yment. “Under the respondeat superior doctrine, an employer is liable for the torts of its employees committed within the scope of employment.” (Crouch v. Trinity Christian Ctr. of Santa Ana, Inc. (2019) 39 Cal.App.5th 995, 1011.) “An employee's willful, malicious, and even criminal torts may fall within the scope of his or her employment, even though the employer did not authorize the employee to commit crimes or intentional torts.” (Id....

Excerpt: ...omplaint is GRANTED in part. Defendant's motion to strike the portions of Plaintiff's opposition and portions of Plaintiff's counsel's declaration in support of the opposition is DENIED. Defendant's counsel shall submit a written ruling consistent with this tentative ruling and in compliance with Rule 3.1312. I. Applicable Standards A demurrer tests whether the complaint sufficiently states a valid cause of action. (Hahn v. Merda (2007) 147 Cal.A...

Excerpt: ...l of the class action settlement (the “Motion”). The Motion is CONTINUED. I. The Complaint The presently operative Complaint (“Complaint”) alleges that Defendant failed to pay overtime compensation as required by the California Labor Code (“LC”) and applicable wage orders because it alleges meal and rest break violations, that Plaintiffs were deprived of their rest breaks and/or were not provided timely rest breaks, that there was fai...

Excerpt: ... 1790 et seq. (the “Act”); 2) Fraudulent Inducement – Intentional Misrepresentation ; 3) Fraudulent Inducement - Concealment; and 4) Negligent Repair. Plaintiff purchased a 2021 Nissan Sentra (the “Vehicle”) from North Bay Nissan (“Dealer”), who is not a party to this action. During the sales process Plaintiff and Dealer executed a “Retail Installment Sale Contract – Simple Finance Charge (With Arbitration Provision)” (“RISC...

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: ...dant on December 7, 2020. When he did not receive compensation, he filed a claim with the California Labor Commissioner on December 22, 2020. A hearing was held on February 22, 2022. The Labor Commissioner issued a decision awarding Plaintiff $8,848.00. On June 17, 2022, Defendant filed a Notice of Appeal. No undertaking or bond was posted. I. Undertaking Labor Code § 98.2(a) and (b) govern the appeal of an order, decision, or award of the Labor...

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: ...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: ...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: ... original action,” which was previously dismissed on the eve of trial. Plaintiff opposes the motion, arguing that it is groundless, dismissal for failure to bring this case to trial does not apply, and there is no basis for discretionary dismissal. Defendants cite CCP section 581, which merely sets fort the general framework and definitions for motions to dismiss. Defendants otherwise rely on CCP section 583.410, governing. Motions to dismiss a...

Excerpt: ...eil (“Weil”), Matthew Zdanek (“Zdanek”), Robert J. Sunderland (“Sunderland”), Dale Davis (“Davis”), Jim Nord (“Nord”)(Nord, Davis, Duval, Hing, Fung, Poeng, and Zdanek hereinafter referred to as “Represented Doe Defendants”), and Sunderland McCutchan, Inc. (“SMI”) (SMI, SMP, McCutchan and Sunderland jointly referred to as “Attorney Defendants”) (all defendants together referred to as “Defendants”). The Prior Ac...

Excerpt: ...arising out of alleged violations of employment law. On August 17, 2022, Plaintiffs filed three separate, but substantively very similar, Motions to Compel and Requests for Sanctions against Defendant. Plaintiffs provide the declaration of attorney Judith Camilleri and attached exhibits in support of the motions. Plaintiffs assert that on August 1, 2019 they served Form Interrogatories – General, Set One on Defendant; Special Interrogatories, S...

Excerpt: ...hat there is no triable issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. (CCP § 437c(c).) A party moving for summary adjudication of a cause of action must prove that the cause of action has no merit and summary adjudication may only be granted if it completely disposes of the cause of action. (CCP § 437c(f)(1).) “A defendant or cross-defendant has met his or her burden of showing that a cause o...