Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-00351/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-00351-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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Stipulation for Leave to File Amended Complaint

Laura Madrid, et al. v County of Tulare, et al. Case No.: 1:24-cv-00351-BAM

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JOHN L. BURRIS, ESQ., SBN 69888

BEN NISENBAUM, ESQ., SBN 222173

JAMES COOK, ESQ., SBN 300212

BURRIS, NISENBAUM, CURRY, & LACY, LLP

Airport Corporate Center

7677 Oakport Street, Suite 1120 Oakland, CA 94621

Telephone: (510) 839-5200

Facsimile: (510) 839-3882

Email: John.Burris@johnburrislaw.com 

Email: Ben.Nisenbaum@johnburrislaw.com

Email: James.Cook@johnburrislaw.com

Attorneys for Plaintiffs,

LAURA MADRID, et al.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LAURA MADRID, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

vs.

COUNTY OF TULARE, et al.,

Defendants.

 

CASE NO.: 1:24-cv-00351-BAM 

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED ORDER 

FOR LEAVE TO FILE FIRST AMENDED 

COMPLAINT

ORDER STRIKING FIRST AMENDED 

COMPLAINT AND ANSWER

The parties, by and through their respective attorneys, respectfully submit the following 

stipulation and proposed order for leave for Plaintiffs to file a First Amended Complaint.

Whereas, during the normal course of discovery, Plaintiffs identified new defendants who 

Plaintiffs intend to name in this matter. 

Whereas, the parties met and conferred and stipulated to allow Plaintiffs to name Wellpath 

Management, Inc., and Wellpath nurse Cathy Wojtasiewicz as defendants in this matter. 

Case 1:24-cv-00351-BAM Document 27 Filed 01/14/25 Page 1 of 4
Stipulation for Leave to File Amended Complaint

Laura Madrid, et al. v County of Tulare, et al. Case No.: 1:24-cv-00351-BAM

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Whereas, the deadline for Plaintiffs to amend the pleadings is currently set for January 31, 

2025, pursuant to the Court’s order at Docket No. 20. As such, the parties respectfully request and 

stipulate to leave for Plaintiffs to file a First Amended Complaint to add the new defendants.

It is so stipulated.

It is so stipulated. 

Dated: January 14, 2025 BURRIS, NISENBAUM, CURRY, & LACY, LLP

/s/James Cook

James Cook

Attorney for Plaintiffs

Dated: January 14, 2025 LEBEAU THELEN, LLP

By: /s/ Gary L. Logan

Gary L. Logan

Attorney for Defendant

Case 1:24-cv-00351-BAM Document 27 Filed 01/14/25 Page 2 of 4
Stipulation for Leave to File Amended Complaint

Laura Madrid, et al. v County of Tulare, et al. Case No.: 1:24-cv-00351-BAM

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ORDER

On March 25, 2025, Plaintiffs filed their complaint. (Doc. 1.) On October 1, 2024, the Court 

entered its Scheduling Conference Order, which stated that all stipulated amendments or motions to 

amend shall be filed by January 31, 2025. (Doc. 20 at 2.) On December 5, 2024, Plaintiffs filed a 

First Amended Complaint on the docket without seeking leave to amend. (Doc. 24.) On January 8, 

2025, Defendant County of Tulare filed an answer to Plaintiffs’ First Amended Complaint. (Doc. 

25.)

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15 provides that “A party may amend its pleading once as a 

matter of course no later than: (A) 21 days after serving it, or (B) if the pleading is one to which a 

responsive pleading is required, 21 days after service of a responsive pleading or 21 days after service 

of a motion under Rule 12(b), (e), or (f), whichever is earlier.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(1). “In all other 

cases, a party may amend its pleading only with the opposing party's written consent or the court's 

leave.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(2.)

Plaintiffs’ docketed First Amended Complaint did not comply with the requirements of 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15, as it was untimely and no stipulation or leave was granted. (See 

Doc. 24.) As Plaintiffs did not comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for amendment, the 

Court will STRIKE the First Amended Complaint (Doc. 24) and Defendant County of Tulare’s 

answer (Doc. 25).

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Case 1:24-cv-00351-BAM Document 27 Filed 01/14/25 Page 3 of 4
Stipulation for Leave to File Amended Complaint

Laura Madrid, et al. v County of Tulare, et al. Case No.: 1:24-cv-00351-BAM

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Turning to the parties’ stipulation, Plaintiffs now seek to name “Wellpath Management, Inc., 

and Wellpath nurse Cathy Wojtasiewicz as defendants in this matter.” (Doc. 26 at 1.) The Court is 

informed that the parties Plaintiffs seek to add may be subject to a stay related to bankruptcy 

proceedings for Wellpath Holdings, Inc. See Regalado v. Fresno County, et al., 1:23-cv-00672-KESBAM. In Regalado v. Fresno County, the Court issued an order to show cause why the case should 

not be stayed given Defendant Wellpath, LLC’s suggestion of bankruptcy and notice of stay. (Docs. 

61, 65.) In the supporting documents to the suggestion of bankruptcy, Wellpath Management, Inc. 

appears to be a debtor or affiliate entity. (Doc. 61-1 at 6, 29, 36.) 

Plaintiffs shall therefore provide supplemental briefing on or before January 24, 2025, to 

show why these defendants may be named, whether naming the defendants would violate the 

bankruptcy stay, and whether this would render amendment futile. See Johnson v. Buckley, 356 F.3d 

1067, 1077 (9th Cir. 2004) (citation omitted) (Courts consider five factors in determining whether 

justice requires allowing amendment under Rule 15(a): “bad faith, undue delay, prejudice to the 

opposing party, futility of amendment, and whether the plaintiff has previously amended the 

complaint.”).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 14, 2025 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:24-cv-00351-BAM Document 27 Filed 01/14/25 Page 4 of 4