Kennedy vs. Channel Islands Rehab

202000547320CUPO: Kennedy vs. Channel Islands Rehab 06/11/2026 in Department 40 Motion to Tax Strike Defendant Gold Coast Sober Living's Costs

The following is a statement of the court’s tentative ruling. The court may adopt, modify or reject the tentative ruling after considering the parties’ oral arguments. The tentative ruling will have no legal effect unless adopted by the court.

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Plaintiffs move to tax or strike costs claimed by Defendant Gold Coast Sober Living. The motion is opposed.

1. Deposition Costs: Denied. The claimed costs are allowed.

2. Expert Witness Fees: Denied. Gold Coast served valid offers of compromise under Code of Civil Procedure section 998, and the judgment was more favorable to Gold Coast than the statutory offers. The offers were not impermissibly vague, and they did not require Plaintiffs to release claims unrelated to this case. To the contrary, the language called for “a general release of all claims asserted in this action.” (Emphasis added.) The claimed costs are allowed.

3. Court Reporter Fees for Transcript Costs: Granted as to the cost of transcripts. The court did not order transcripts. (See Code Civ. Proc., § 1033.5, subd. (a)(11).) The sum of $6,615.10 is taxed.

4. Trial Technician ($21,000) and Exhibits for Judge ($2,2027.52): Granted as to the cost of the trial technician and denied as to exhibit copies for the judge. These items are not allowable as a matter of right. In the exercise of the court’s discretion, the cost of the trial technician is disallowed and the cost of the exhibits for the judge is allowed. The sum of $21,000 is taxed.