TERESA SOKOL vs NORWALK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, et al.

(Norwalk Courthouse: Dept. C) September 4, 2026 DEPARTMENT C LAW AND MOTION RULINGS

TERESA SOKOL vs NORWALK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, et al., Case No. 22STCV31694 Counsel Gittler and Berg move to be relieved as counsel for Defendant Mesa Verde Convalescent Hospital, Inc. on the grounds that there has been an irreparable breakdown in the relationship and communications with the client, including withholding payment for services rendered. Good cause having been shown, the motion is GRANTED. This ruling shall take effect upon filing of the proof of service upon the client. Counsel to give notice.

Case Number: 24NWCV01843 Hearing Date: September 4, 2026 Dept: C EDGAR I. REYNAGA, et al. vs 1800 DOROTHEA LANE, LLC, et al., Case No. 24NWCV01843 This is a construction defect case arising from the sale of a new residence located at 1800 Dorothea Road, La Habra Heights, California, to the Plaintiff-Buyers EDGAR REYNAGA and JENNIFER LEDESMA. Plaintiffs' Motion for Leave to File a Second Amended Complaint is set for hearing on September 4, 2026.

Here, Defendants 1800 DOROTHEA LANE, LLC, UZI LEVY and MARAT DREICER apply ex parte for an order continuing the hearing on Plaintiffs' motion on the grounds that counsel for Defendants never received a copy of the motion. (Henricks Decl., P.5.) Counsel for Defendants, who recently substituted in, were not counsel of record when Plaintiffs filed the motion on August 3, 2026.

Plaintiffs assert that the effect of the amendment is to add specific fraud allegations related to the concealment of known defects in the construction of the grading and retaining walls in the sale transaction, to add the remedy of rescission and to plead various indemnity and declaratory relief claims based on the claims raised by the neighbor, Cima Johnson, and to include those claims in this lawsuit.

The ex parte application is GRANTED. Plaintiff's motion for leave to file a second amended complaint is CONTINUED to October 16, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. in Dept. SE-C. Plaintiff is ORDERED to serve a copy of the motion upon counsel for Defendants by the close of business on September 4, 2026. Opposition and Reply briefs shall be filed and served in compliance with CCP Sec. 1005. Defendants to give notice.

Case Number: 25NWCV00601 Hearing Date: September 4, 2026 Dept: C VICTOR CASTANEDA, et al. vs BETZAYDA MARTIR DIAZ, Case No. 25NWCV00601 Defendant BETZAYDA MARTIR DIAZ moves for and order deeming Defendant's Requests for Admissions, Set One, admitted against Plaintiff VICTOR CASTANEDA pursuant to CCP Sec. 2033.280.

On June 3, 2026, Defendant served Requests for Admissions, Set One, upon Plaintiff, (Chan Decl., P.2.) As of the filing date of the motion (July 24, 2026) no responses had been received. (Id., P.4.)

In Opposition, Plaintiff argues that the motion is moot because Plaintiff, through Guardian Ad Litem SILVIA CEJA GUTIERREZ, served verified responses to the Requests for Admissions on August 13, 2026, after GUTIERREZ was appointed Guardian Ad Litem by the Court on July 31, 2026. (Arias Decl., P.11.) Defendant does not contend otherwise. Thus, the motion is DENIED as MOOT. No sanctions were requested. Plaintiff to give notice.