Motion for Order Granting Preference in Setting Case for Trial, and Extending Discovery Cutoff
SF Superior Court - Asbestos Law & Motion - CGC24277253 - August 19, 2025 Hearing date: August 19, 2025 Case number: CGC24277253 Case title: JAMES WILLIAMS ET AL VS. GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY ET AL Case Number: | | CGC24277253 | Case Title: | | JAMES WILLIAMS ET AL VS. GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY ET AL | Court Date: | | 2025-08-19 09:00 AM | Calendar Matter: | | Notice Of Motion And Motion For Order Granting Preference In Setting Case For Trial, And Extending Discovery Cutoff | Rulings: | | On Asbestos Law and Motion Calendar for Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in Department 304, Line 4.
Plaintiffs' Motion for Order Granting Preference in Setting Case for Trial, and Extending Discovery Cutoff is GRANTED under C.C.P. 36(a). Opposition filed by Defendant J-M Manufacturing Company, Inc. Reply filed.
Defendant contends that the Declarations of Dr. Sei Lee and Plaintiff's counsel, David Donadio, lack foundation in regard to the requirements of Code of Civil Procedure 36(a). (Opposition, 1-2.) The Court disagrees. Defendant did not provide any contradictory medical opinion, such as a declaration from a licensed physician or a medical doctor, disputing Dr. Lee's opinion. Moreover, Defendant is not a physician qualified to opine on either Plaintiffs' medical records or the validity of Dr. Lee's opinions.
As this Court has previously stated, unsupported speculation about a plaintiff's health is not a valid basis to oppose a preference motion grounded in admissible medical evidence. "Where a party meets the requisite standard for calendar preference under [Code of Civil Procedure section 36] subdivision (a), preference must be granted. No weighing of interests is involved." (Fox v. Superior Court (2018) 21 Cal.App.5th 529, 535; see also, e.g., Miller v. Superior Court (1990) 221 Cal.App.3d 1200, 1204 [statute "grants a mandatory and absolute right to trial preference"]; Swaithes v.
Superior Court (1989) 212 Cal.App.3d 1082, 1085 [trial court "has no power to balance the different interests of opposing litigants in applying the provision"]; Koch-Ash v. Superior Court (1986) 180 Cal.App.3d 689, 694 [section 36(a) "must be deemed to be mandatory and absolute" and "no discretion is left to trial courts."].)
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1. The trial date is December 8, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. in Department 206. a. Last day pursuant to C.C.P. section 36(f) is December 17, 2025. b. The parties shall follow the California Rules of Court, San Francisco Local Rules, and Local Rule 20.
2. The last day for hearing summary judgment/adjudication motions is December 2, 2025. a. Summary judgment/adjudication motions shall be brought on regular notice pursuant to the relevant provisions of the C.C.P., unless the parties stipulate otherwise. b. Before a party files and serves a summary judgment/adjudication motion, it must contact the clerk to make a reservation. c. The Court allows a maximum of four summary judgment/adjudication motions per day to be calendared, unless good cause is found to exceed this number. Contact the clerk to schedule a good cause hearing.
3. Time to respond to written discovery not yet served is shortened to 20 days. a. For written discovery that has already been served, responses are due within 20 days of this hearing or by the date determined by the C.C.P., whichever is earlier. b. Any issue/dispute that requires meet and confer, shall occur in person or via telephone, not by email or letter.
4. Electronic service is considered the equivalent of personal service.
5. The fact discovery cut-off date is November 21, 2025.
6. The expert discovery cut-off date is December 5, 2025.
7. All bankruptcy documents shall be turned over to defendants no later than September 18, 2025. a. If Plaintiff submits documents to bankruptcy trusts after this date, they must notify Defendants no later than five days after submission. b. The fact discovery cut-off does not apply to bankruptcy documents. (mini-minutes 1 of 2 continues, see next entry) | |