HAMMACK, ELIZABETH v. ESTATE OF JERRY CEPEL

PLACER COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT THURSDAY, CIVIL LAW AND MOTION DEPARTMENT 3 THE HONORABLE MICHAEL W. JONES TENTATIVE RULINGS FOR AUGUST 27, 2026, AT 8:30 A.M.

injury to the plaintiff or despicable conduct which is carried on by the defendant with a willful and conscious disregard of the rights or safety of others.” (Id. at § 3294, subd. (c)(1).) Oppression is “despicable conduct that subjects a person to cruel and unjust hardship in conscious disregard of that person’s rights.” (Id. at § 3294, subd. (c)(2).)

Here, defendants meet their initial burden to show that plaintiffs cannot establish entitlement to punitive damages because there is insufficient evidence that defendants acted with oppression, fraud or malice. (UMF Nos. 21–26.) The burden therefore shifts to plaintiffs to raise a triable issue of material fact.

Plaintiffs do not thereafter meet their burden to raise a triable issue of material fact as to their entitlement to punitive damages. Accordingly, defendants’ motion for summary adjudication is granted as to the prayer for punitive damages.

In sum, defendants’ motion for summary adjudication is granted as to the second cause of action for intentional infliction of emotional distress and prayer for punitive damages.

8. S-CV-0052930 HAMMACK, ELIZABETH v. ESTATE OF JERRY CEPEL

Petition for Approval of Minor’s Compromise Claim (Sameera Pannu)

The petition for approval of minor’s compromise claim is granted. After careful consideration of the petition and attachments, the court finds the settlement is in the best interest of the minor. (Prob. Code, § 3500; Code Civ. Proc., § 372; Pearson v. Superior Court (2012) 202 Cal.App.4th 1333, 1337-38.)

Petition for Approval of Minor’s Compromise Claim (Cyrus Pannu)

The petition for approval of minor’s compromise claim is granted. After careful consideration of the petition and attachments, the court finds the settlement is in the best interest of the minor. (Prob. Code, § 3500; Code Civ. Proc., § 372; Pearson v. Superior Court (2012) 202 Cal.App.4th 1333, 1337-38.)

PLACER SUPERIOR COURT – DEPARTMENT 3 Thursday Civil Law and Motion – Tentative Rulings