Judge: Elaine W. Mandel, Case: 23SMCV03624, Date: 2023-12-20 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 23SMCV03624    Hearing Date: December 20, 2023    Dept: P

Tentative Ruling

Norma Skiba et al. v. Patrick Braun, Case No. 23SMCV03624

Hearing Date December 20, 2022

Norma Isela Skiba’s Petition for Approval of Minor Brandon Skiba’s Compromise (UNOPPOSED)

Decedent Brandon Jonathan Thomas Skiba was killed after his motorcycle collided with a vehicle driven by defendant Patrick Louis Braun. Claimant Brandon Skiba is decedent’s minor son. Decedent’s spouse, Norma Skiba, applies for compromise of Brandon’s wrongful death claim under Cal. Code of Civ. Proc. §372.

Plaintiffs settled for $23,000, Braun’s insurance limit of $15,000 plus $8,000. Winslow decl. ¶5. Brandon and Norma Skiba are each to receive payments of $11,500. Winslow seeks a contingency fee of 25%. Id.¶4.

The court requests additional evidence that Braun is judgment-proof and/or unable to contribute personally to a settlement before the petition may be granted.