Judge: Lisa R. Jaskol, Case: 21STCV09154, Date: 2023-11-28 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 21STCV09154    Hearing Date: November 28, 2023    Dept: 28

Having considered the petitioning papers, the Court rules as follows. 

BACKGROUND 

On March 9, 2021, Plaintiffs Jose Lemus (“Lemus”), Paulette Stokes, Ilana Mayes, Michael Cali, Juliette Brown, Jeffrey James, Laura Lasky, James Travers (“James Travers”), Christian Travers (“Christian Travers”), Nathan Travers (“Nathan Travers”) and Isabella Travers filed this action against Defendants Empire Properties, Radford Residential LLC (“Radford”), Apartment Management Consultants, LLC (“Consultants”), and Does 1-100 for negligence, premises liability, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. 

On April 23, 2021, Plaintiffs filed a first amended complaint removing Paulette Stokes (“Stokes”) as a plaintiff and adding her as a defendant. 

On September 9, 2021, Radford and Consultants filed answers. On October 18, 2021, Empire Properties, LLC (erroneously sued and served as Empire Properties) (“Empire”) filed an answer. On December 28, 2021, Stokes filed an answer. 

On October 18, 2021, Radford, Consultants, and Empire filed a cross-complaint against Cross-Defendants Stokes and Roes 1-20 for indemnity and contribution. 

On November 4, 2022, the Court dismissed Lemus without prejudice at Plaintiffs’ request. 

On June 7, 2023, the Court found that this case (21STCV09154) and case number 23BBCV00635 are related within the meaning of California Rules of Court, rule 3.300(a). Case number 21STCV09154 became the lead case.  The cases were assigned to Department 28 at Spring Street Courthouse for all purposes. 

On October 13, 2023, Petitioner Nathan Travers (“Petitioner”) submitted petitions for approval of minor’s compromise to be heard on November 28, 2023. 

Trial is currently scheduled for March 12, 2024. 

PETITIONER’S REQUESTS 

Petitioner Nathan Travers asks the Court to approve the compromise of the pending claims of James Travers and Christian Travers. 

DISCUSSION 

A.   James Travers 

Petitioner has submitted a completed petition for James Travers with all necessary attachments. The Court grants the petition. 

Petitioner requests that the net balance be deposited in an insured account at Bank of America, Beverly Hills Main Branch, 468 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. The Court orders the net balance so distributed. 

B.   Christian Travers 

Petitioner has submitted a completed petition for Christian Travers with all necessary attachments. The Court grants the petition. 

Petitioner requests that the net balance be deposited in an insured account at Bank of America, Beverly Hills Main Branch, 468 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. The Court orders the net balance so distributed. 

CONCLUSION 

The Court GRANTS the petition to approve the compromise of the pending claims of Plaintiff James Travers filed by Petitioner Nathan Travers. The Court orders that the net balance be placed in an insured account at Bank of America, Beverly Hills Main Branch, 468 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. 

The Court GRANTS the petition to approve the compromise of the pending claims of Plaintiff Christian Travers filed by Petitioner Nathan Travers. The Court orders that the net balance be placed in an insured account at Bank of America, Beverly Hills Main Branch, 468 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. 

The Court sets an OSC Re: Distribution of Net Settlements on January 9, 2024, at 8:30 a.m., in Department 28 of the Spring Street Courthouse.

Petitioner is ordered to give notice of this ruling. 

Petitioner is ordered to file the proof of service of this ruling with the Court within five days.