Judge: Melissa R. Mccormick, Case: "Flesvig v. Nabi, et al.", Date: 2022-10-13 Tentative Ruling

Defendant John Puckett’s Motion for Summary Judgment

Defendant John Puckett moves for summary judgment against plaintiff Christine C. Flesvig’s complaint.  Plaintiff filed a Notice of Non-Opposition.  For the following reasons, defendant’s motion is granted.

A defendant seeking summary judgment bears the burden of persuasion and burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to negate the plaintiff’s claim.  It may do this by demonstrating the claim has no merit, that the plaintiff cannot prove an element of the claim, or that the defendant has a complete defense entitling it to judgment as a matter of law.  Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 437c(p)(2); Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 850-51.

If a defendant does not meet this initial burden, the plaintiff need not oppose the motion and the motion must be denied.  Binder v. Aetna Life Ins. Co. (1999) 75 Cal.App.4th 832, 840.  If the defendant meets this initial burden, the burden shifts to the plaintiff to produce evidence demonstrating the existence of a triable issue of material fact.  Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 437c(p)(2); Aguilar, 25 Cal.4th at 850-51. 

Defendant carried his burden of demonstrating that plaintiff could not prove her medical negligence claim against defendant.  See, e.g., Defendant’s Separate Statement Nos. 5, 6, & 7 (and evidence cited therein).  Plaintiff did not oppose defendant’s motion and thus did not carry her shifted burden of showing a triable issue of one or more material facts.  See Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 437c(p)(2).  Defendant’s motion for summary judgment is therefore granted.

Defendant John Puckett to give notice.