Judge: Andrew E. Cooper, Case: 24CHCV01551, Date: 2025-04-21 Tentative Ruling

Counsel wishing to submit on a tentative ruling may inform the clerk or courtroom assisant in North Valley Department F51, 9425 Penfield Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311, at (818) 407-2251.  Please be aware that unless all parties submit, the matter will still be called for hearing and may be argued by any appearing/non-submitting parties. If the matter is submitted on the court's tentative ruling by all parties, counsel for moving party shall give notice of ruling. This may be done by incorporating verbatim the court's tentative ruling. The tentative ruling may be extracted verbatim by copying and specially pasting, as unformatted text, from the Los Angeles Superior Court’s website, http://www.lasuperiorcourt.org. All hearings on law and motion and other calendar matters are generally NOT transcribed by a court reporter unless one is provided by the party(ies).

Case Number: 24CHCV01551    Hearing Date: April 21, 2025    Dept: F51

LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT

NORTH VALLEY DISTRICT

DEPARTMENT F-51

MINOR’S COMPROMISE

Expedited Petition filed: 3/26/25 

MINOR: R.G. (“Claimant”)

GAL:¿ Kristen Galvan

DEFENDANT: Defendant William S. Hart School District (“Defendant”)

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RELIEF REQUESTED: Approval of the compromise of the claim of the minor.¿ 

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TENTATIVE RULING: The petition is granted. 

SUMMARY OF ACTION: Plaintiff/Claimant R.G. is a minor, bringing this action against Defendant through his parent and guardian ad litem Kristen Galvan. On 4/26/23, “a student who had a known propensity for aggressive and threatening behavior, violently attacked Plaintiff as he placed him in a chokehold, nearly causing him to lost [sic] consciousness.” (Pet. ¶ 5.)

“Plaintiff sustained injuries to his back, head, and neck, resulting in pain, bruising, headaches, spasms, and dizzy spells, among other related symptoms.” (Id. at ¶ 6.) Plaintiff received treatment for his injuries and has recovered completely with no permanent injuries. (Id. at ¶¶ 7–8.)

SETTLEMENT: Defendant to pay $75,000.00.

MEDICAL EXPENSES: None.

ATTORNEY FEES: $30,000.00 to be paid from settlement proceeds.

OTHER COSTS/EXPENSES: Litigation expenses totaling $816.04.

AMOUNT TO BE PAID TO MINOR: $44,183.96.

Of the total settlement disbursement, $33,183.96 is to be deposited in insured accounts in one or more financial institutions in this state, subject to withdrawal only on authorization of the court.

“Petitioner requests reimbursement in the amount of $11,000.00 for the vehicle she was required to purchase for Claimant.” (Pet. ¶ 20, citing Decl. of Kristen Galvan.)

CONCLUSION: The petition is granted.