Joseph Foster v. Prudential Overall Supply, et al.

(Compton Courthouse: Dept. A) August 21, 2026 DEPARTMENT A LAW AND MOTION RULINGS INSTRUCTIONS: If the parties wish to submit on the tentative ruling and avoid a court appearance on the matter, the moving party must: 1. Contact the opposing party and all other parties who have appeared in the action and confirm that each will submit on the tentative ruling.

2. No later than 4:00 p.m. on the court day before the hearing, call the Courtroom (310-761-4302) advising that all parties will submit on the tentative ruling and waive hearing; and 3. Serve notice of the Court's ruling on all parties entitled to receive service. If this procedure is followed, when the case is called the Court will enter its ruling on the motion in accordance with its tentative ruling. If any party declines to submit on the tentative ruling, then no telephone call is necessary, and all parties should appear at the hearing. If there is neither a telephone call nor an appearance, then the matter may either be taken off calendar or ruled on. TENTATIVE RULINGS -- http://www.lacourt.org/tentativeRulingNet/u i/main.aspx’casetype=civil

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT JOSEPH FOSTER, Plaintiff, vs. PRUDENTIAL OVERALL SUPPLY, et al., Defendants. |)))))))))))))))) | CASE NO: 23CMCV01184 [TENTATIVE] ORDER RE: DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO COMPEL INITIAL RESPONSES

Dept. A DATE: August 21, 2026 TIME: 8:30 A.M. COMPLAINT FILED: 7/31/2023 TRIAL: 3/20/2028 | MOVING PARTIES: Defendants Prudential Overall Supply and Bryan Lara RESPONDING PARTY: Plaintiff Joseph Foster 1.

Background

On July 1, 2022, Plaintiff Joseph Foster was involved in an automobile collision with a vehicle operated by Defendant Bryan Lara driving on behalf of Prudential Overall Supply. On July 21, 2023, Plaintiff, while represented by counsel filed a complaint for Motor Vehicle and Negligence. On July 15, 2024, Plaintiff substituted into the action in pro per. On November 18, 2025, Defendants answered the complaint.

2.

Discussion

A. Standard Defendants Prudential Overall Supply and Bryan Lara move to compel initial responses to Form Interrogatories (set one), Special interrogatories (set one), and Request for Production of Documents (set one). Plaintiff does not oppose the motion. A party may move to compel responses to Form Interrogatories, Special Interrogatories, and Request for Production of Documents (set one) upon the lapse of the 30-day deadline following service of the discovery. (Code Civ. Proc., Sec.Sec. 2030.290, subd. (a-b); 2031.300, subd. (a-b).)

B. Self-Represented Party "Although self - represented litigants are not entitled to special treatment, they are entitled to the same treatment as a represented party. ... 'Trial judges must acknowledge that in propria persona litigants often do not have an attorney's level of knowledge about the legal system and are more prone to misunderstanding the court's requirements.' (Citation). When one party has counsel and the other does not, the trial court 'should monitor to ensure the in propria persona litigant is not inadvertently misled, either by the represented party

or by the court ... [S]pecial care should be used to make sure that verbal instructions given in court and written notices are clear and understandable by a layperson.'" (Petrosyan v. Prince Corp. (2013) 223 Cal.App.4th 587, 594.) C. Outstanding Discovery On April 2, 2026, Defendants served Form Interrogatories (set one), Special interrogatories (set one), and Request for Production of Documents (set one). The responses remain outstanding, even after communication with Plaintiff. [Declaration of Virginia Lopez, P.P. 2, 4-7, Ex. A-D.]

3.

Conclusion

The motion to compel initial responses to Form Interrogatories (set one), Special interrogatories (set one), and Request for Production of Documents (set one) is GRANTED. Plaintiff to serve verified, code compliant responses within 15 days of this order. The court imposes $320 in sanctions against Plaintiff in pro per. [Lopez Decl., P.P. 8-9], payable to Defendant within thirty (30) days. (Code Civ. Proc., Sec.Sec. 2030.290, subd. (c); 2031.300, subd. (c).) Defendants are ordered to give notice.

DATED: August 21, 2026 Hon. Elizabeth L. Bradley Judge of the Superior Court Case Number: 23CMCV01412 Hearing Date: August 21, 2026 Dept: A SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT ROSE ML INC., Plaintiff, vs. AIR DISTRIBUTION USA INC, et al., Defendants. AIR DISTRIBUTION USA INC., Cross-Complainant, vs. ROSE ML INC., et al., Cross-Defendants. |)))