Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_19-cv-01846/USCOURTS-cand-4_19-cv-01846-6/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 365
Nature of Suit: Personal Injury - Product Liability
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Auto Negligence

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

FAYE VADEN, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

LINN STAR TRANSFER, INC., et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 19-cv-01846-HSG 

ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION 

FOR SETTLEMENT APPROVAL

Re: Dkt. No. 60

On March 5, 2019, Plaintiffs Faye Vaden and Alma Jackson filed this action against 

Defendants Linn Star Transfer, Inc. and Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., alleging that 

Defendants’ negligent manufacturing and installation of a gas dryer led to a gas leak in Plaintiffs’ 

home. See Dkt. No. 1-1, Ex. A. Plaintiffs allege that as a result of the gas leak they suffered 

respiratory problems and incurred medical expenses. Id. at 5. On December 4, 2019, the Court 

granted Plaintiffs’ motion to appoint Ms. Vaden as the guardian ad litem (“GAL”) for her mother 

Ms. Jackson, for purposes of this action and pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 17(c)(2). 

See Dkt. No. 57. Because the Court appointed a GAL, the Court must also evaluate and approve 

any settlement as to Ms. Jackson. Cf. Robidoux v. Rosengren, 638 F.3d 1177, 1181 (9th Cir. 

2011) (“District courts have a special duty, derived from Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 17(c), to 

safeguard the interests of litigants who are minors . . . In the context of proposed settlements in 

suits involving minor plaintiffs, this special duty requires a district court to conduct its own 

inquiry to determine whether the settlement serves the best interests of the minor.”) (quotations 

omitted).

Following the parties’ successful settlement negotiations, Plaintiffs filed an application for 

settlement approval. See Dkt. No. 60. The Court held a hearing on the motion on January 16, 

Case 4:19-cv-01846-HSG Document 65 Filed 01/17/20 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

2020. Counsel for all parties and Plaintiffs were present. Having reviewed the totality of the 

circumstances in this case, including the parties’ filings and counsel’s representations during the 

hearing, the Court finds that the proposed settlement is sufficiently fair and reasonable, and in the 

best interest of Ms. Jackson.

The Court accordingly GRANTS the application for settlement approval as to Ms. Jackson 

in the amount of $3,500 gross, less the identified reasonable attorneys’ fees and litigation costs. 

The net settlement proceeds, $1,733.45, shall be made payable to Alma Jackson and deposited in 

her bank account within 30 days of the date of this order. The parties are further DIRECTED to 

submit a stipulated dismissal within 30 days of the date of this order, or show cause why they 

cannot do so in this timeframe.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 1/17/2020

______________________________________

HAYWOOD S. GILLIAM, JR.

United States District Judge

Case 4:19-cv-01846-HSG Document 65 Filed 01/17/20 Page 2 of 2