Judge: Lisa R. Jaskol, Case: 23STCV01246, Date: 2024-08-01 Tentative Ruling
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Case Number: 23STCV01246 Hearing Date: August 1, 2024 Dept: 28
Having considered the documents submitted in support of the request for default judgment, the Court rules as follows.
BACKGROUND
On January 19, 2023, Plaintiff United Financial Casualty Company (“Plaintiff”) filed this action against Defendants Clemestine McRae (“Defendant”) and Does 1-20 for motor vehicle tort and for subrogation under Insurance Code section 11580.2, subdivision (g). The complaint demanded $63,732.74.
Also on January 19, 2023, Plaintiff filed a statement of damages listing property damage of $13,732.74, uninsured motorist bodily injury payments of $50,000.00, and total damages of $63,732.74.
On April 10, 2024, Plaintiff filed a proof of service showing service of the summons, complaint, and statement of damages on Defendant by mail and acknowledgement of receipt of service on March 22, 2024.
On June 20, 2024, the clerk entered Defendant’s default. On July 2, 2024, the Court dismissed the Doe defendants without prejudice at Plaintiff’s request.
On June 28, 2024, Plaintiff filed an application for default judgment.
PLAINTIFF’S REQUEST
Plaintiff asks the Court to enter a default judgment against Defendant and award Plaintiff $64,189.74, consisting of $63,732.74 as the demand of the complaint and $457.00 in costs.
LEGAL STANDARD
A. Default judgment
“[With exceptions that do not apply here,] [a] party seeking a default judgment on declarations must use mandatory Request for Entry of Default (Application to Enter Default) (form CIV-100) . . . The following must be included in the documents filed with the clerk:
“(1) Except in unlawful detainer cases, a brief summary of the case identifying the parties and the nature of plaintiff's claim;
“(2) Declarations or other admissible evidence in support of the judgment requested;
“(3) Interest computations as necessary;
“(4) A memorandum of costs and disbursements;
“(5) A declaration of nonmilitary status for each defendant against whom judgment is sought;
“(6) A proposed form of judgment;
“(7) A dismissal of all parties against whom judgment is not sought or an application for separate judgment against specified parties under Code of Civil Procedure section 579, supported by a showing of grounds for each judgment;
“(8) Exhibits as necessary; and
“(9) A request for attorney fees if allowed by statute or by the agreement of the parties.”
(Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1800(a).)
B. Damages
On a request for default judgment, “[w]here a cause of action is stated in the complaint, plaintiff merely needs to introduce evidence establishing a prima facie case for damages.” (L. Edmon & C. Karnow, Cal. Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (Rutter 2023) ¶ 5:213.1, p. 5-56 (Cal. Practice Guide), citing Johnson v. Stanhiser (1999) 72 Cal.App.4th 357, 361 [trial court erred in applying preponderance of the evidence standard].)
The relief granted to a plaintiff upon entry of a defendant's default cannot exceed the amount demanded in the complaint or, for personal injury cases where damages may not be stated in the complaint, the amount listed in the statement of damages. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 580, subd. (a), 585, subd. (b).) “The notice requirement of section 580 was designed to insure fundamental fairness.” (Becker v. S.P.V. Construction Co. (1980) 27 Cal.3d 489, 494.) The statute insures that “defendants in cases which involve a default judgment have adequate notice of the judgments that may be taken against them. [Citation.] ‘If a judgment other than that which is demanded is taken against him, [the defendant] has been deprived of his day in court—a right to a hearing on the matter adjudicated.’ ’’ (Id. at p. 493.) A trial court exceeds its jurisdiction if it awards damages in excess of the amount specified in the complaint or statement of damages. (Id. at p. 494.)
DISCUSSION
Plaintiff has submitted a completed default judgment application with all required information. The Court grants the application.
Plaintiff is ordered to give notice of this ruling.
CONCLUSION
The Court GRANTS Plaintiff United Financial Casualty Company’s application for default judgment filed on June 28, 2024. The Court awards Plaintiff $64,189.74 against Defendant Clemestine McRae.
Plaintiff is ordered to give notice of this ruling.