Judge: John J. Kralik, Case: 23BBCV01404, Date: 2024-04-12 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 23BBCV01404    Hearing Date: April 12, 2024    Dept: NCB

CASE NAME:           Jario Munoz Santacruz, et al. v. Luisa A. Reyes, et al.

CASE NUMBER:     23BBCV01404

HEARING DATE:   4/12/2024                                             

______________________________________________________________________________

SUBJECT:                 Minor’s Compromise

MOVING PARTY:   Plaintiff          

RESP. PARTY:        No opposition

 

TENTATIVE RULING: 

 

GRANTED –

The Court has reviewed the petition and finds the settlement fair and reasonable. The parties have an agreement for attorney’s fees, which is attached to the petition, the Declaration of Counsel is sufficient to substantiate the work done in connection with this matter, and the petition is properly verified by Petitioner.  The Court is therefore inclined to grant the petition.

 

Per CRC Rule 7.952, Petitioner and the Claimant are required to attend the hearing on the petition.  The Court will therefore require attendance at the hearing in order to grant the petition.

 

 

1.                  Facts

The complaint, filed on June 22, 2023, alleges causes of action for: (1) violation of Civil Code, § 1942.4; (2) statutory breach of warranty of habitability; (3) tortious breach of the warranty of habitability; (4) private nuisance; (5) violation of Business & Professions Code, § 17200 et seq.; (6) negligence; (7) breach of the covenant of quiet enjoyment; (8) violation of Civil Code, § 1942.5; (9) IIED; (10): NIED; (11) breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and (12) violation of LAMC § 45.33. 

Plaintiff Jairo Munoz Santacruz and Plaintiffs/minors Daniel Munoz, Giselle Munoz, Anabelle Munoz, Izabelle Munoz, and Arielle Munoz allege that they were tenants of an unpermitted residential unit separate from but located at 6312 Bakman Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91606.  Plaintiffs allege that they occupied the subject property since January 2009 pursuant to an oral agreement with Defendant Luisa A. Reyes.  Plaintiffs allege that the property was uninhabitable, substandard, and defective.  (See Compl., ¶29.) 

 

There are 4 petitions for minor’s compromise. 


 

 

2.                  Merits of Motion re ANABELLE MUNOZ

NAME OF MINOR

Anabelle Munoz

NAME OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM

Jairo Munoz Santacruz

NAME OF DEFENDANT(S)

Luisa Reyes, Raphael Reyes, Wilfredo Reyes

Settlement

$10,000

Medical Bills

$0

Attorney’s Fees

$2,500 (25%)

Litigation Costs

$0

TOTAL TO BE PAID TO MINOR

$7,500

 

A.       General Requirements

Petition on Form MC-350?  

Yes

Proposed Order on Form MC-351? 

Yes

Proof of service on other parties?   

No

 

B.     Type of injury, medical expenses:

Medical records documenting injuries and treatment?

No

Negotiated reduction in medical liens? 

No

Injuries completely healed?

No – emotional distress damages

 

C.    Handling of funds

How are settlement funds to be disposed of:

The net settlement amount will be deposited in insured accounts subject to withdrawal only upon court authorization. 

Order to Deposit Money into Blocked Account on Form MC-355?

Yes

 

D.    Attorneys’ Fees and Litigation Costs

Attorneys’ fees requested?

Yes

If yes, attorney declaration?  

Yes (CRC, Rule 7.955)

Copy of retention agreement?

Yes

Litigation costs requested? 

No

 


 

 

3.                  Merits of Motion re ARIELLE MUNOZ

NAME OF MINOR

Arielle Munoz

NAME OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM

Jairo Munoz Santacruz

NAME OF DEFENDANT(S)

Luisa Reyes, Raphael Reyes, Wilfredo Reyes

Settlement

$10,000

Medical Bills

$0

Attorney’s Fees

$2,500 (25%)

Litigation Costs

$0

TOTAL TO BE PAID TO MINOR

$7,500

 

A.    General Requirements

Petition on Form MC-350?  

Yes

Proposed Order on Form MC-351? 

Yes

Proof of service on other parties?   

No

 

B.     Type of injury, medical expenses:

Medical records documenting injuries and treatment?

No

Negotiated reduction in medical liens? 

No

Injuries completely healed?

No – emotional distress damages

 

C.    Handling of funds

How are settlement funds to be disposed of:

The net settlement amount will be deposited in insured accounts subject to withdrawal only upon court authorization. 

Order to Deposit Money into Blocked Account on Form MC-355?

Yes

 

D.    Attorneys’ Fees and Litigation Costs

Attorneys’ fees requested?

Yes

If yes, attorney declaration?  

Yes (CRC, Rule 7.955)

Copy of retention agreement?

Yes

Litigation costs requested? 

No

 


 

 

4.                  Merits of Motion re GISELLE MUNOZ

NAME OF MINOR

Giselle Munoz

NAME OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM

Jairo Munoz Santacruz

NAME OF DEFENDANT(S)

Luisa Reyes, Raphael Reyes, Wilfredo Reyes

Settlement

$10,000

Medical Bills

$0

Attorney’s Fees

$2,500 (25%)

Litigation Costs

$0

TOTAL TO BE PAID TO MINOR

$7,500

 

A.    General Requirements

Petition on Form MC-350?  

Yes

Proposed Order on Form MC-351? 

Yes

Proof of service on other parties?   

No

 

B.     Type of injury, medical expenses:

Medical records documenting injuries and treatment?

No

Negotiated reduction in medical liens? 

No

Injuries completely healed?

No – emotional distress damages

 

C.    Handling of funds

How are settlement funds to be disposed of:

The net settlement amount will be deposited in insured accounts subject to withdrawal only upon court authorization. 

Order to Deposit Money into Blocked Account on Form MC-355?

Yes

 

D.    Attorneys’ Fees and Litigation Costs

Attorneys’ fees requested?

Yes

If yes, attorney declaration?  

Yes (CRC, Rule 7.955)

Copy of retention agreement?

Yes

Litigation costs requested? 

No

 


 

 

5.                  Merits of Motion re IZABELLE MUNOZ

NAME OF MINOR

Izabelle Munoz

NAME OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM

Jairo Munoz Santacruz

NAME OF DEFENDANT(S)

Luisa Reyes, Raphael Reyes, Wilfredo Reyes

Settlement

$10,000

Medical Bills

$0

Attorney’s Fees

$2,500 (25%)

Litigation Costs

$0

TOTAL TO BE PAID TO MINOR

$7,500

 

A.    General Requirements

Petition on Form MC-350?  

Yes

Proposed Order on Form MC-351? 

Yes

Proof of service on other parties?   

No

 

B.     Type of injury, medical expenses:

Medical records documenting injuries and treatment?

No

Negotiated reduction in medical liens? 

No

Injuries completely healed?

No – emotional distress damages

 

C.    Handling of funds

How are settlement funds to be disposed of:

The net settlement amount will be deposited in insured accounts subject to withdrawal only upon court authorization. 

Order to Deposit Money into Blocked Account on Form MC-355?

Yes

 

D.    Attorneys’ Fees and Litigation Costs

Attorneys’ fees requested?

Yes

If yes, attorney declaration?  

Yes (CRC, Rule 7.955)

Copy of retention agreement?

Yes

Litigation costs requested? 

No