On 08/18/2017 THE HERTZ CORPORATION LLC filed a Personal Injury - Motor Vehicle lawsuit against ROMEO SOSA. This case was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Courts, Stanley Mosk Courthouse located in Los Angeles, California. The Judge overseeing this case is STEPHEN I. GOORVITCH. The case status is Disposed - Dismissed.
****2636
08/18/2017
Disposed - Dismissed
Los Angeles County Superior Courts
Stanley Mosk Courthouse
Los Angeles, California
STEPHEN I. GOORVITCH
THE HERTZ CORPORATION LLC
QUINTEROS CINDY
SIMMONS WILLIAM
MARTINEZ JUAN
MARTINEZ JUAN L.
ROSERSON ROMEL
CONTRERAS MANUEL
DOES 1 TO 100
SOSA ROMEO
LAZENBY JAMAR
TEST PARTY FOR TRUST CONVERSION
DALL TERRY S.
DALL TERRANCE SHAWN
PASAROW STEPHEN C. ESQ.
PASAROW STEPHEN C.ESQ.
PASAROW STEPHEN CHARLES ESQ.
9/15/2020: Order Approving Compromise of Disputed Claim or Pending Action or Disposition of Proceeds of Judgme - ORDER APPROVING COMPROMISE OF DISPUTED CLAIM OR PENDING ACTION OR DISPOSITION OF PROCEEDS OF JUDGM
9/15/2020: Certificate of Mailing for - CERTIFICATE OF MAILING FOR (HEARING ON EXPEDITED PETITION TO CONFIRM COMPROMISE; HEARING ...) OF 09/15/2020
11/14/2019: Notice of Settlement
12/16/2019: Minute Order - MINUTE ORDER (ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RE: DISMISSAL (SETTLEMENT))
3/4/2020: Minute Order - MINUTE ORDER (ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RE: DISMISSAL (SETTLEMENT))
4/16/2020: Minute Order - MINUTE ORDER (COURT ORDER RE CONTINUANCE)
4/28/2020: Certificate of Mailing for - CERTIFICATE OF MAILING FOR [MINUTE ORDER (COURT ORDER: PETITION TO APPROVE COMPROMISE OF PENDING ACTION)]
4/28/2020: Minute Order - MINUTE ORDER (COURT ORDER: PETITION TO APPROVE COMPROMISE OF PENDING ACTION)
5/5/2020: Notice of Continuance - NOTICE OF CONTINUANCE OF MOTION FOR STIPULATED JUDGMENT AND FOR AN ORDER RELEASING INTERPLEADER FUNDS PURSUANT TO SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT REACHED AT MEDIATION AND NOTICE OF CONTIN
8/7/2020: Declaration - DECLARATION DECLARATION OF MATTHEW K. JOY RE: HEARING ON EXPEDITED PETITION
6/26/2019: Certificate of Mailing for - CERTIFICATE OF MAILING FOR MINUTE ORDER (COURT ORDER: NOTICE OF RELATED CASE) OF 06/26/2019
4/23/2019: Request for Refund / Order
2/14/2019: Notice - Notice Notice of Continuance of Final Status Conference
2/4/2019: Notice of Ruling
11/2/2017: PROOF OF SERVICE SUMMONS -
11/2/2017: PROOF OF SERVICE SUMMONS -
11/2/2017: PROOF OF SERVICE SUMMONS -
11/2/2017: PROOF OF SERVICE SUMMONS -
Docketat 08:30 AM in Department 32, Stephen I. Goorvitch, Presiding; Order to Show Cause Re: Dismissal - Not Held - Advanced and Vacated
DocketNotice of Ruling; Filed by CINDY QUINTEROS (Defendant)
DocketMinute Order ( (Order to Show Cause Re: Dismissal)); Filed by Clerk
DocketOrder - Dismissal; Filed by Clerk
DocketRETURNED MAIL ((Minutes of 09-15-20)); Filed by Clerk
Docketat 08:30 AM in Department 32, Stephen I. Goorvitch, Presiding; Order to Show Cause Re: Dismissal (Settlement) - Not Held - Advanced and Continued - by Court
Docketat 1:30 PM in Department 32, Stephen I. Goorvitch, Presiding; Hearing on Motion for Stipulated Judgment - Held - Motion Granted
Docketat 1:30 PM in Department 32, Stephen I. Goorvitch, Presiding; Hearing on Expedited Petition to Confirm Compromise - Held - Motion Granted
Docketat 1:30 PM in Department 32, Stephen I. Goorvitch, Presiding; Order to Show Cause Re: Dismissal (Settlement) - Not Held - Vacated by Court
DocketOrder Approving Compromise of Disputed Claim or Pending Action or Disposition of Proceeds of Judgment for Minor or Person With a Disability (Miscellaneous); Filed by MANUEL CONTRERAS (Defendant)
DocketProof-Service/Summons; Filed by THE HERTZ CORPORATION LLC (Plaintiff)
DocketPROOF OF SERVICE SUMMONS
DocketPROOF OF SERVICE SUMMONS
DocketPROOF OF SERVICE SUMMONS
DocketPROOF OF SERVICE SUMMONS
DocketPROOF OF SERVICE SUMMONS
DocketPROOF OF SERVICE SUMMONS
DocketSUMMONS
DocketComplaint; Filed by THE HERTZ CORPORATION LLC (Plaintiff)
DocketCOMPLAINT IN INTERPLEADER
Case Number: BC672636 Hearing Date: September 15, 2020 Dept: 32
THE HERTZ CORPORATION LLC,
Plaintiff,
v.
ROMEO SOSA, et al.,
Defendants.
|
Case No.: BC672636
[TENTATIVE] order RE: petition to approve compromise of pending action |
This case arises out of a motor vehicle collision on November 1, 2016 involving Defendant Cindy Quinteros (“Quinteros”) and Claimant Manuel Jesus Contreras (“Claimant”). At the time, Quinteros was driving a rental car from the Hertz Corporation, LLC (“Hertz”). Claimant was seriously injured during the accident, having sustained a head injury. According to Plaintiff’s counsel: “Claimant’s prognosis is grim. He remains in a coma as a result of the automobile collision that gives rise to this action. It is medically probable that he will never awaken from this coma.” (Declaration of Matthew K. Joy, ¶ 10.) Claimant was born on January 13, 1941, meaning that he is almost 80 years old. (Expedited Petition to Approve Compromise of Disputed Claim, ¶ 2(a).)
Claimant, by and through his Guardian ad Litem, Manuel Guillermo Contreras, (“Petitioner”) has submitted a petition to approve the settlement with the following information:
Total Settlement Amount: $30,000
Attorney’s Fees: $10,000
Reimbursement of Costs: $3,005.96
Satisfaction of Medicare Lien: $7,559.02
Remaining Amount: $9,435.02
The Court approves the settlement amount. Although the injuries were severe, the settlement is part of a global settlement agreement involving multiple parties and, more important, reflects the applicable policy limit from Hertz. The Court approves the deduction for attorneys’ fees, as they are fair and reasonable considering the work expended on this case. The Court approves the deductions for costs, as they were reasonably related to the litigation. The Court approves the deduction for satisfaction of the Medicare lien, as Plaintiff’s counsel has provided the requisite documentation. Petitioner proposes to use for Claimant’s burial and has submitted estimates projecting that the total cost will be $12,379. The Court approves these expenditures.
Claimant receives public benefits in the form of Medi-Cal and Medicare. (Declaration of Matthew K. Joy, ¶ 9.) Claimant also may receive Social Security benefits. (Ibid.) Therefore, the Court denies Petitioner’s request to open a blocked account in the name of Claimant. The Court also denies Petitioner’s request to deposit the funds in the name of “Manuel Guillermo Contreras as Conservator for Manuel Jesus Contreras.” Instead, the Court authorizes disbursement of the funds—$9,435.02—directly to Manuel Guillermo Contreras in his personal capacity. The Court is comfortable with this arrangement because Petitioner, a relative, has assumed responsibility for Claimant’s burial, and the amount of the settlement proceeds is less than the projected burial expenses.
The Court sets an Order to Show Cause re: Dismissal for October 30, 2020, at 8:30 a.m. Petitioner shall provide notice and file proof of such with the Court.
DATED: September 15, 2020 ___________________________
Stephen I. Goorvitch
Judge of the Superior Court
the hertz corporation, llc,
Plaintiff,
v.
romeo sosa, et al.,
Defendants. |
Case No.: BC672636, related to 18STCV02877, 18STCV03216, and 18STCV03428
Hearing Date: September 15, 2020
[TENTATIVE] order RE:
Defendant’s Motion for entry of stipulated judgment |
Defendant Cindy Quinteros (“Defendant”) moves for entry of a stipulated judgment per the terms of the agreement that the parties entered at mediation. Code of Civil Procedure section 664.6 provides that “[i]f parties to pending litigation stipulate, in a writing signed by the parties outside the presence of the court or orally before the court, for settlement of the case, or part thereof, the court, upon motion, may enter judgment pursuant to the terms of the settlement.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 664.6.) In ruling on a motion to enter judgment, the court acts as a trier of fact. The court must determine whether the parties entered into a valid and binding settlement. To do so, the court may receive oral testimony in addition to declarations. (Kohn v. Jaymar-Ruby, Inc. (1994) 23 Cal.App.4th 1530, 1533.) Defendant has provided a signed stipulation, and no party has opposed this motion. Therefore, the motion is granted.
CONCLUSION AND ORDER
Defendant’s motion for entry of stipulated judgment is granted. Defendant shall provide notice and file proof of such with the Court.
DATED: September 15, 2020 ___________________________
Stephen I. Goorvitch
Judge of the Superior Court
Case Number: BC672636 Hearing Date: July 10, 2020 Dept: 32
THE HERTZ CORPORATION LLC, Plaintiff, v.
ROMEO SOSA, et al.,
Defendants.
|
Case No.: BC672636
order RE: petition to approve compromise of pending action |
The Court has reviewed the petition by Petitioner Manuel Guillermo Contreras (“Petitioner”) on behalf of Claimant Manuel Jesus Contreras (“Claimant”). Claimant was involved in a motor vehicle collision with a vehicle driven by Cindy Quinteros (“Quinteros”) and owned by the Hertz Corporation, LLC (“Hertz”). As a result of the accident, Claimant suffered a head injury and remains in a coma. According to the petition, there is no medical probability that Claimant will recover from his injuries. Hertz has agreed to settle for the policy limit of $30,000, from which the following amounts would be deducted: (1) Medical expenses of $7,559.02, (2) Attorneys’ fees of $10,000, and (3) Litigation expenses of $3,005.96. Petitioner proposes that the remaining $9,435.02 be deposited into a blocked account in the name of Claimant.
The Court finds that the settlement is fair and reasonable. Notwithstanding the serious nature of Claimant’s injuries, Hertz has agreed to settle for the policy limit. Moreover, there is substantial litigation risk in pursuing litigation against Hertz in this case. Quinteros was the party involved in the collision, and it is unclear whether Petitioner would prove successfully that Hertz was negligent in renting the vehicle to Quinteroz, i.e., that Hertz knew Quinteros was unfit when it rented the vehicle. The Court finds that the expenses and attorneys’ fees are reasonable under the circumstances.
The Court’s concern stems from Petitioner’s proposal to deposit the proceeds into a blocked account in the name of Claimant. The order states that the “[m]oney belongs to” Claimant. The Court is concerned that this arrangement may interfere with any of Claimant’s public benefits (e.g., social security benefits, etc.).
Based upon the foregoing, the Court sets this matter for hearing on July 10, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. However, Petitioner’s counsel may file and serve a declaration before the hearing addressing the Court’s concern. If so, the Court may approve the settlement without a hearing since this is an expedited petition. The Court’s clerk shall provide notice.
DATED: April 28, 2020 ___________________________
Stephen I. Goorvitch
Judge of the Superior Court
Case Number: BC672636 Hearing Date: January 22, 2020 Dept: 32
the hertz corporation, llc,
Plaintiff, v.
romeo sosa, et al.,
Defendants. |
Case No.: BC672636
(related to 18STCV02877, 18STCV03216, and 18STCV03428)
Hearing Date: January 22, 2020
[TENTATIVE] order RE: Defendant’s Motion for entry of stipulated judgment |
Defendant Cindy Quinteros (“Defendant”) moves for entry of a stipulated judgment per the terms of the agreement that the parties entered at mediation. As part of the settlement, Manuel Jesus Contreras shall receive $30,000. Code of Civil Procedure section 664.6 provides that “[i]f parties to pending litigation stipulate, in a writing signed by the parties outside the presence of the court or orally before the court, for settlement of the case, or part thereof, the court, upon motion, may enter judgment pursuant to the terms of the settlement.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 664.6.) In ruling on a motion to enter judgment, the court acts as a trier of fact. The court must determine whether the parties entered into a valid and binding settlement. To do so, the court may receive oral testimony in addition to declarations. (Kohn v. Jaymar-Ruby, Inc. (1994) 23 Cal.App.4th 1530, 1533.)
In related case Sosa, et al., v. Cindy Quinteros, et al. (Super. Ct. L.A. County, 2018, No. 18STCV03216), the Court appointed Manuel Guillermo Contreras as the guardian ad litem for Manuel Jesus Contreras, based on the representation that Manuel Guillermo Contreras is the conservator of Manuel Jesus Contreras. If Manuel Jesus Contreras is a disabled adult, then the parties must file a petition for approval of the compromise of Manuel Jesus Contreras’s claim before the Court enters judgment. Accordingly, the motion is denied without prejudice.
CONCLUSION AND ORDER
Defendant’s motion for a stipulated judgment is denied without prejudice. Defendant shall provide notice and file proof of such with the Court.
DATED: January 22, 2020 ___________________________
Stephen I. Goorvitch
Judge of the Superior Court