Judge: Lisa R. Jaskol, Case: 19STCV03234, Date: 2023-07-21 Tentative Ruling

All parties are urged to meet and confer with all parties concerning this tentative ruling to see if they can reach an agreed-upon resolution of their matter.  If you are able to reach an agreement, please notify the courtroom staff in advance of the hearing if you wish to submit on the tentative ruling rather than argue the motion by notifying the court by e-mailing the court at: SSCDEPT28@lacourt.org.  Include the word "SUBMITS" in all caps and the Case Number in the Subject line.  In the body of the email, please provide the date and time of the hearing, your name, your contact information, the party you represent, and whether that party is a plaintiff, defendant, cross-complainant, cross-defendant, claimant, intervenor, or non-party, etc.

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Case Number: 19STCV03234    Hearing Date: July 21, 2023    Dept: 28

Having considered the documents submitted in support of default judgment, the Court rules as follows. 

BACKGROUND 

On January 30, 2019, Plaintiffs Suresh Salinas (“Salinas”), Alphonso Gray (“Gray”) and Evrol Andrews (“Andrews”) filed this action against Defendant World on Wheels, LLC (“World”) for negligence, negligent training, negligent supervision, interference with civil rights, assault and battery and false imprisonment. The Plaintiff later amended the complaint to include Defendant TRT Project, LLC (“TRT”). 

On May 24, 2021, the clerk entered default against World. On September 12, 2022, the clerk entered default against TRT. On July 7, 2023, Salinas and Gray filed Requests for Court Judgment to be heard on July 21, 2023. 

PARTIES’ REQUESTS 

Plaintiff Suresh Salinas requests that the Court enter a default judgment against Defendants World on Wheels, LLC and TRT Project, LLC and award Salinas $53,470.00, consisting of $3,300.00 in special damages, $50,000.00 in general damages, $0.00 in prejudgment interest, $0.00 in attorney’s fees, and $170.00 in costs. 

Plaintiff Alfonso Gray requests that the Court enter a default judgment against Defendants World on Wheels, LLC and TRT Project, LLC and award Gray $52,860.00, consisting of $2,690.00 in special damages, $50,000.00 in general damages, $0.00 in prejudgment interest, $0.00 in attorney’s fees, and $170.00 in costs. 

DISCUSSION 

Salinas submitted a completed default judgment packet with all applicable documents. However, the Court finds that the evidence does not support an award of $50,000.00 in general damages. The Court instead awards $25,000.00 in general damages, resulting in a total award of $28,470.00. 

Gray submitted a completed default judgment packet with all applicable documents. However, the Court finds that the evidence does not support an award of $50,000.00 in general damages. The Court instead awards $23,000.00 in general damages, resulting in a total award of $25,860.00. 

CONCLUSION 

The applications for default judgment filed on July 7, 2023, are GRANTED.

Judgment for Plaintiff Suresh Salinas of $28,470.00 is entered against Defendants 
World on Wheels, LLC and TRT Project, LLC.

Judgment for Plaintiff Alphonso Gray of $25,860.00 is entered against Defendants 
World on Wheels, LLC and TRT Project, LLC. 

Plaintiffs are ordered to give notice of this ruling.