Judge: Kerry Bensinger, Case: 24STCV12488, Date: 2024-10-10 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 24STCV12488    Hearing Date: October 10, 2024    Dept: 31

Tentative Ruling

Judge Kerry Bensinger, Department 31

HEARING DATE:     October 10, 2024                               TRIAL DATE:  Not set

CASE:                                Larisza Dacjuk v. Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, et al.

CASE NO.:                 24STCV12488

MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE ESTATE OF LARISZA DACJUK

FOR DECEASED PLAINTIFF LARISZA DACJUK

MOVING PARTY:               Petitioner Natalia Bucs, as Successor in Interest of the Estate of Larisza Dacjuk

RESPONDING PARTY:     No opposition

I.          BACKGROUND

            On May 17, 2024, Plaintiff Larisza Dacjuk (Dacjuk) filed a complaint for This is a motor vehicle negligence against Defendants Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and John Doe. 

            On June 15, 2024, Ms. Dacjuk passed away.

            On August 26, 2024, Petitioner Natalia Bucs, Ms. Dacjuk’s only daughter, filed this motion for an order substituting herself as Ms. Dacjuk’s Successor-in-Interest. 

            The motion is unopposed.

II.        LEGAL STANDARD

            “A pending action or proceeding does not abate by the death of a party if the cause of action survives.”  (Code Civ. Proc., § 377.21.)  “On motion after the death of a person who commenced an action or proceeding, the court shall allow a pending action or proceeding that does not abate to be continued by the decedent’s personal representative or, if none, by the decedent’s successor in interest.”  (Code Civ. Proc., § 377.31.)  

            The person who seeks to commence an action or proceeding or to continue a pending action or proceeding as the decedent’s successor in interest shall execute and file an affidavit or a declaration under penalty of perjury under the laws of this state stating: (1) The decedent’s name, (2) The date and place of the decedent’s death, (3) “No proceeding is now pending in California for administration of the decedent’s estate,” (4) If the decedent’s estate was administered, a copy of the final order showing the distribution of the decedent’s cause of action to the successor in interest, (5) Either of the following, as appropriate, with facts in support thereof, (6) “No other person has a superior right to commence the action or proceeding or to be substituted for the decedent in the pending action or proceeding,” and (7) the statements are true, under penalty of perjury.  (Code Civ. Proc., § 377.32.)  

            A certified copy of the decedent’s death certificate shall be attached to the affidavit or declaration.¿ (Code Civ. Proc., § 377.32, subd. (c).) 

III.      DISCUSSION

            Upon review of the papers, the Court finds the Declaration of Natalia Bucs complies with the requirements of Code of Civil Procedure section 377.32.  Accordingly, Petitioner makes a sufficient showing that she is Ms. Dacjuk’s successor-in-interest.

IV.       CONCLUSION 

The unopposed motion is GRANTED.  Natalia Bucs is substituted as Plaintiff Larisza Dacjuk’s Successor-in-Interest.

Moving party to give notice. 

Dated:   October 10, 2024