Judge: Teresa A. Beaudet, Case: 23STCV27912, Date: 2025-03-04 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 23STCV27912    Hearing Date: March 4, 2025    Dept: 50

Superior Court of California

County of Los Angeles

Department 50

Plaintiff 805 Wooster, LLC (“Plaintiff”) requests entry of default judgment against Defendant Brett Hyman. Plaintiff seeks judgment in the total amount of $77,626.93, comprising $43,278.50 demanded in the Complaint, $32,929.84 in general damages (minus a $7,590.00 credit), $8,008.59 in interest, $622.50 in costs, and $377.50 in attorney’s fees.

The Court notes one defect with the submitted default judgment package.

As set forth above, Plaintiff seeks $43,278.50 in damages demanded in the Complaint and $32,929.84 in general damages. However, Plaintiff’s Complaint only alleges that Plaintiff seeks damages in the amount of $43,278.50. (See, e.g., Compl., Prayer for Relief, ¶ 1.) The Court notes that Code of Civil Procedure section 580, subdivision (a) “limits a trial court’s jurisdiction to grant relief on a default judgment to the amount stated in the complaint.” (Dhawan v. Biring (2015) 241 Cal.App.4th 963, 968.) “[I]n all default judgments the demand sets a ceiling on recovery.” (Finney v. Gomez (2003) 111 Cal.App.4th 527, 534.)¿¿ 

Based on the foregoing, the Court denies Plaintiff’s request for default judgment without prejudice. The Court will discuss further proceedings with Plaintiff at the hearing.

DATED:  March 4, 2025                                ________________________________

Hon. Teresa A. Beaudet

Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court