Judge: Lee S. Arian, Case: 20STCV33068, Date: 2023-10-25 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 20STCV33068    Hearing Date: October 25, 2023    Dept: 27

Tentative Ruling

Judge Kerry Bensinger, Department 27

HEARING DATE:      October 25, 2023                                         TRIAL DATE:  Vacated

CASE:                                Kordell Kor Trevino v. Universal Studios Hollywood, et al.

CASE NO.:                 20STCV33068

PETITION TO APPROVE MINOR’S COMPROMISE

MOVING PARTY:               Petitioner Stephanie Kor

RESPONDING PARTY:     No opposition

            Claimant, Kordell Kor Trevino, a minor, by and through his parent and guardian ad litem, Petitioner Stephanie Kor, has agreed to settle his claims against Defendant, Universal City Studios, LLC, in exchange for a lump sum of $160,000.  If approved, $16,182.34 will be used for medical expenses, $53,333.33 will be used for attorney’s fees, and $24,336.40 will be used for other expenses, leaving a balance of $66,147.93 for Claimant to be deposited at Bank of America in Ventura, California, subject to withdrawal only upon authorization of the court.

            Court approval is required for all settlements of a minor’s claim.  (Probate Code §§ 3500, 3600, et seq.; Code Civ. Proc. § 372.)  The petition must be verified and “must contain a full disclosure of all information that has any bearing on the reasonableness of the compromise, covenant, settlement, or disposition.”¿ (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 7.950.)¿¿

            Upon review, the Court finds the settlement amount and request for attorney’s fees are fair and reasonable.  Further, the medical expenses are supported by documentation and the other expenses are set forth in the memorandum of costs.  The motion complies with California Rules of Court, rule 3.1362.

            Accordingly, the Petition is GRANTED.  The Court sets an OSC re: Proof of Deposit (minor – Kordell Kor Trevino) for December 15, 2023 at 8:30 a.m.¿ (Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 7.953, subd. (a).)¿ If an acknowledgement of receipt by the financial institution is filed before that date, no appearance will be required.¿¿

            Moving party to give notice.   

Dated:   October 25, 2023                                         ___________________________________

                                                                                    Kerry Bensinger

                                                                                    Judge of the Superior Court

            Parties who intend to submit on this tentative must send an email to the Court at SSCDEPT27@lacourt.org indicating intention to submit on the tentative as directed by the instructions provided on the court website at www.lacourt.org.  Please be advised that if you submit on the tentative and elect not to appear at the hearing, the opposing party may nevertheless appear at the hearing and argue the matter.  Unless you receive a submission from all other parties in the matter, you should assume that others might appear at the hearing to argue.  If the Court does not receive emails from the parties indicating submission on this tentative ruling and there are no appearances at the hearing, the Court may, at its discretion, adopt the tentative as the final order or place the motion off calendar.