Veronica Padron vs Bhavesh Patel, et al.

21CV-03369 Veronica Padron vs Bhavesh Patel, et al.

Motion for an Order for Monetary Sanctions in the Amount of $2,180 for Defendant Bhavesh Patel's Failure to Attend 3-4-2026 MSC & Request to Continue the TSC & the 6-9-2026 Trial date to 9-28-2026 to allow Plaintiff time to File a Motion for Summary Judgment with Regards to the Requests for Admission Deemed Admitted

Plaintiff’s motion is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART.

Defendant Patel failed to attend the March 4, 2026, mandatory settlement conference. Merced County Superior Court Local Rule 3.6, subdivision (F) states in pertinent part, “If the defendant or other responsible party fails to appear at the settlement conference and

good cause is not shown, the Court may impose sanctions by way of costs, actual expenses, and counsel fees and order the case to proceed to trial on the date assigned.” (Local Rule 3.6, subd. (F).)

Defendant Patel failed to appear as required and has not shown good cause for the failure to appear.

The request for monetary sanction is GRANTED.

Monetary sanctions in the amount of $2,180 are to be paid to Plaintiff’s counsel within fifteen (15) days of this court’s order.

The request to continue the trial is DENIED.

Good cause has not been shown to justify a trial continuance. Plaintiff’s counsel has had ample time to file a motion for summary judgment based on the Requests for Admission being deemed admitted, which were deemed admitted on March 27, 2024. Given the approaching trial date of June 9, 2026, any motion for terminating sanctions may be heard following a properly noticed motion and motion to shorten time.

Readiness Conference

Appearance required.

Order to Show Cause re: Sanctions

Appearance required.