Judge: Serena R. Murillo, Case: 19STCV09843, Date: 2022-09-15 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 19STCV09843    Hearing Date: September 15, 2022    Dept: 29

Natalie Nolasco v. Roxana Yanira Sorto Arevalo

 

OSC: September 15, 2022

Request for Court Judgment against Defendants Roxana Yanira Sorto Arevalo and Jose Arriga Paz

Tentative: The Court has reviewed the default judgment and is CONTINUING the matter to allow Plaintiff to correct the following defects:

(1)  Doe defendants have not been dismissed.

(2)  Memorandum of Costs is not filled out on CIV-100

(3)  General damages are excessive in light of $11,096.48 in special damages. The Court may only award general damages in an amount that is at most three times special damages.

(4)  In the statement of the case, Plaintiffs request $612,304.67 in damages. But in the request for default judgment on form CIV-100, Plaintiffs have listed the total amount they seek as $10,017.304.67. The Court notes the form CIV-100 must contain the correct figure. Moreover, the statement of damages served on Defendant only seeks $10,000,431.75. The court cannot grant default judgment in an amount that is more than what is stated on the statement of damages. Nevertheless, as general damages are excessive, this will need to be corrected in any event.

(5)  There should also be a proposed judgment filed. Under paragraph 7, Plaintiffs should clarify Defendant Paz’s liability as owner of the vehicle is limited to $5,000 for property damage, plus $15,000 for personal injury to one person / $30,000 for injury to more than one person.   (Vehicle Code section 17151(a).)

(6)  Paragraph 7 of the proposed judgment should also say: "Any credit on one judgment shall apply to all judgments in this case."