Judge: Lisa R. Jaskol, Case: 22STCV28609, Date: 2025-05-28 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 22STCV28609    Hearing Date: May 28, 2025    Dept: 28

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

BACKGROUND 

On September 1, 2022, Plaintiff Faith Starnes (“Plaintiff”), a minor, by and through her guardian ad litem Sharese Bates filed this action against Defendants Village Park Condominium Association, Inc. (“Defendant”) and Does 1-50 for general negligence and premises liability. 

On September 6, 2022, the Court appointed Sharese Bates to serve as Plaintiff’s guardian ad litem. 

On February 16, 2024, Defendant filed an answer. 

On March 4, 2024, the Court found that case numbers 22STCV28609 and 22STCV30795 are related within the meaning of California Rules of Court, rule 3.300(a).  Case number 22STCV28609 became the lead case.  The cases were assigned to Department 28 at the Spring Street Courthouse for all purposes. 

On January 22, 2025, Plaintiff filed a notice of settlement. 

On April 4, 2024, Petitioner Sharese Bates (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for expedited approval of the compromise of Plaintiff’s claims. 

PETITIONER’S REQUEST 

Petitioner asks the Court for expedited approval of the compromise of Plaintiff’s claims. 

DISCUSSION 

Petitioner has submitted a complete petition with all required information.  The Court grants the petition.  The net settlement amount of $9,383.61 is to be held in trust and for the benefit of Claimant Faith Starnes by Petitioner Sharese Bates. The funds of $9,383.61 are to be delivered to Ms. Bates in the form of a check made payable to Sharese Bates.  These funds will be deposited into Ms. Bates’ own bank account and are not to be withdrawn until Claimant Faith Starnes attains the age of eighteen years. 

CONCLUSION 

The Court GRANTS Petitioner Sharese Bates’s petition for expedited approval of the compromise of minor Plaintiff Faith Starnes’s claims filed on April 4, 2025. The net settlement amount of $9,383.61 is to be held in trust and for the benefit of Claimant Faith Starnes by Petitioner Sharese Bates. The funds of $9,383.61 are to be delivered to Ms. Bates in the form of a check made payable to Sharese Bates.  These funds will be deposited into Ms. Bates’ own bank account and are not to be withdrawn until Claimant Faith Starnes attains the age of eighteen years. 

The Court sets an OSC Re: Distribution of Net Settlement on July 24, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., in Department 28 of the Spring Street Courthouse. 

The Court sets an OSC Re: Dismissal of Case (Settlement) on July 24, 2025, 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.