Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_10-cv-00232/USCOURTS-caed-1_10-cv-00232-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 385
Nature of Suit: Property Damage - Product Liabilty
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Product Liability

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MARYLAND CASUALTY COMPANY,

Plaintiff,

v.

ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.,

et al.,

Defendants.

 

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1:10-cv-0232 OWW SMS

SCHEDULING CONFERENCE ORDER 

Discovery Cut-Off: 1/3/11

Non-Dispositive Motion

Filing Deadline: 1/18/11

Non-Dispositive Motion

Hearing Date: 2/18/11 9:00

Ctrm. 8

Dispositive Motion Filing

Deadline: 2/3/11

Dispositive Motion Hearing

Date: 3/7/11 10:00 Ctrm. 3

Settlement Conference Date:

1/19/11 10:00 Ctrm. 8

Pre-Trial Conference Date:

4/11/11 11:00 Ctrm. 3

Trial Date: 5/24/11 9:00

Ctrm. 3 (JT-6 days)

I. Date of Scheduling Conference.

June 9, 2010.

II. Appearances Of Counsel.

Jennifer A. Kung, Esq., appeared on behalf of Plaintiff. 

Heather Ijams, Esq., appeared on behalf of Defendants

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Electrolux Home Products, Inc. and Lowe’s HIW, Inc.

III. Summary of Pleadings. 

1. This is a subrogation action filed by Plaintiff,

Maryland Casualty Company, to recover $229,688.96 paid to or on

behalf of its insured, Berkshire Properties, relating to a fire

that occurred on December 21, 2008. Such fire started in a

business office for Berkshire Properties, located at 1706 Chester

Avenue, Bakersfield, California, at 5:52 a.m. 

2. Plaintiff, Maryland Casualty, filed the Complaint for

Damages in the Superior Court of California, County of Kern

(Bakersfield), on December 2, 2009. The named Defendants are

Electrolux Home Products, Inc., and Lowe’s HIW, Inc. Plaintiff

contends that a small beverage refrigerator that was in the

office had a defect, which started the fire. The refrigerator

was manufactured by Electrolux and sold by Lowe’s. 

3. The Complaint contains the following causes of action:

a. Products liability against all Defendants; 

b. Strict liability against all Defendants; 

c. General negligence against all Defendants.

4. On February 10, 2010, Defendant Electrolux filed a

Notice of Removal of Action to the United States District Court

under 28 U.S.C. § 1441(B), on the grounds that the amount in

controversy exceeds $75,000 and there is complete diversity. 

Defendant attempted to remove the matter to the Eastern District

in Bakersfield, however, the matter was assigned to this Court.

5. Plaintiff claims that the fire resulted from a defect

in the beverage refrigerator. Defendants assert, however, that

the fire started due to a malfunction of a small electric heater

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that was mounted on the wall near the subject refrigerator. As

such, the key issues are:

a. Was there a defect in the subject refrigerator,

and if so, did it cause the fire?

b. If there was a defect in the refrigerator, and it

caused the fire, were the amounts paid by Plaintiff reasonable?

6. Plaintiff is claiming damages relating to the fire

claim, in the amount of $229,688.96. The damage documents will

be produced by Plaintiff to counsel for Defendants on or before

April 8, 2010. 

IV. Orders Re Amendments To Pleadings.

1. The parties do not anticipate amending the pleadings at

this time. 

V. Factual Summary.

A. Admitted Facts Which Are Deemed Proven Without Further

Proceedings. 

1. Maryland Casualty Company is licensed to do

business as a casualty insurer in the State of California. 

2. Defendant Electrolux Home Products, Inc. is a

corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.

3. Lowe’s HIW, Inc. is a corporation incorporated

under the laws of Washington State. 

4. Plaintiff indemnified its insured, Berkshire

Properties, relating to a fire that occurred December 21, 2010 at

1706 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, California. 

5. Such indemnity was paid under a written contract

of insurance. 

6. Plaintiff asserts subrogation rights in this

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action against Defendants claiming that said Defendants are

responsible in whole or in part for the damages that are the

subject of indemnity payment in the amount of $229,688.96. 

B. Contested Facts.

1. The remaining facts as to liability, the extent

and nature of damages, and comparative fault are disputed. 

VI. Legal Issues.

A. Uncontested.

1. Jurisdiction is asserted under 28 U.S.C. § 1332. 

2. Venue is proper under 28 U.S.C. § 1391. 

3. The parties agree that the substantive law of the

State of California provides the rule of decision in this

diversity action. 

B. Contested. 

1. All remaining legal issues are disputed. 

VII. Consent to Magistrate Judge Jurisdiction.

1. The parties have not consented to transfer the 

case to the Magistrate Judge for all purposes, including trial.

VIII. Corporate Identification Statement.

1. Any nongovernmental corporate party to any action in

this court shall file a statement identifying all its parent

corporations and listing any entity that owns 10% or more of the

party's equity securities. A party shall file the statement with

its initial pleading filed in this court and shall supplement the

statement within a reasonable time of any change in the

information. 

IX. Discovery Plan and Cut-Off Date.

1. The parties have engaged in their Rule 26 disclosures

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and Plaintiff’s compliance is ongoing. 

2. The parties are ordered to complete all non-expert

discovery on or before December 1, 2010.

3. The parties are directed to disclose all expert

witnesses, in writing, on or before October 15, 2010. Any

rebuttal or supplemental expert disclosures will be made on or

before November 15, 2010. The parties will comply with the

provisions of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(2) regarding

their expert designations. Local Rule 16-240(a) notwithstanding,

the written designation of experts shall be made pursuant to F.

R. Civ. P. Rule 26(a)(2), (A) and (B) and shall include all

information required thereunder. Failure to designate experts in

compliance with this order may result in the Court excluding the

testimony or other evidence offered through such experts that are

not disclosed pursuant to this order.

4. The parties are ordered to complete all discovery,

including experts, on or before January 3, 2011.

5. The provisions of F. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(4) shall 

apply to all discovery relating to experts and their opinions. 

Experts may be fully prepared to be examined on all subjects and

opinions included in the designation. Failure to comply will

result in the imposition of sanctions. 

X. Pre-Trial Motion Schedule.

1. All Non-Dispositive Pre-Trial Motions, including any

discovery motions, will be filed on or before January 18, 2011,

and heard on February 18, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. before Magistrate

Judge Sheila K. Oberto in Courtroom 8. 

2. In scheduling such motions, the Magistrate

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Judge may grant applications for an order shortening time

pursuant to Local Rule 142(d). However, if counsel does not

obtain an order shortening time, the notice of motion must comply

with Local Rule 251. 

3. All Dispositive Pre-Trial Motions are to be

filed no later than February 3, 2011, and will be heard on March

7, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. before the Honorable Oliver W. Wanger,

United States District Judge, in Courtroom 3, 7th Floor. In

scheduling such motions, counsel shall comply with Local Rule

230. 

XI. Pre-Trial Conference Date.

1. April 11, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom 3, 7th

Floor, before the Honorable Oliver W. Wanger, United States

District Judge. 

2. The parties are ordered to file a Joint PreTrial Statement pursuant to Local Rule 281(a)(2). 

3. Counsel's attention is directed to Rules 281 

and 282 of the Local Rules of Practice for the Eastern District

of California, as to the obligations of counsel in preparing for

the pre-trial conference. The Court will insist upon strict

compliance with those rules.

XII. Motions - Hard Copy.

1. The parties shall submit one (1) courtesy paper copy to

the Court of any motions filed. Exhibits shall be marked with

protruding numbered or lettered tabs so that the Court can easily

identify such exhibits. 

XIII. Trial Date.

1. May 24, 2011, at the hour of 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 3,

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7th Floor, before the Honorable Oliver W. Wanger, United States

District Judge. 

2. This is a jury trial.

3. Counsels' Estimate Of Trial Time:

a. Five to six days.

4. Counsels' attention is directed to Local Rules

of Practice for the Eastern District of California, Rule 285. 

XIV. Settlement Conference.

1. A Settlement Conference is scheduled for January 19,

2011, at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 8 before the Honorable Sheila K.

Oberto, United States Magistrate Judge. 

2. Unless otherwise permitted in advance by the

Court, the attorneys who will try the case shall appear at the

Settlement Conference with the parties and the person or persons

having full authority to negotiate and settle the case on any

terms at the conference. 

3. Permission for a party [not attorney] to attend

by telephone may be granted upon request, by letter, with a copy

to the other parties, if the party [not attorney] lives and works

outside the Eastern District of California, and attendance in

person would constitute a hardship. If telephone attendance is

allowed, the party must be immediately available throughout the

conference until excused regardless of time zone differences. 

Any other special arrangements desired in cases where settlement

authority rests with a governing body, shall also be proposed in

advance by letter copied to all other parties. 

4. Confidential Settlement Conference Statement. 

At least five (5) days prior to the Settlement Conference the

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parties shall submit, directly to the Magistrate Judge's

chambers, a confidential settlement conference statement. The

statement should not be filed with the Clerk of the Court nor

served on any other party. Each statement shall be clearly

marked "confidential" with the date and time of the Settlement

Conference indicated prominently thereon. Counsel are urged to

request the return of their statements if settlement is not

achieved and if such a request is not made the Court will dispose

of the statement.

5. The Confidential Settlement Conference

Statement shall include the following: 

a. A brief statement of the facts of the 

case.

b. A brief statement of the claims and 

defenses, i.e., statutory or other grounds upon which the claims

are founded; a forthright evaluation of the parties' likelihood

of prevailing on the claims and defenses; and a description of

the major issues in dispute.

c. A summary of the proceedings to date.

d. An estimate of the cost and time to be

expended for further discovery, pre-trial and trial.

e. The relief sought.

f. The parties' position on settlement,

including present demands and offers and a history of past

settlement discussions, offers and demands. 

XV. Request For Bifurcation, Appointment Of Special Master, 

Or Other Techniques To Shorten Trial. 

1. None. 

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XVI. Related Matters Pending.

1. There are no related matters.

XVII. Compliance With Federal Procedure.

1. The Court requires compliance with the Federal

Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules of Practice for the

Eastern District of California. To aid the court in the

efficient administration of this case, all counsel are directed

to familiarize themselves with the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure and the Local Rules of Practice of the Eastern District

of California, and keep abreast of any amendments thereto.

XVIII. Effect Of This Order.

1. The foregoing order represents the best

estimate of the court and counsel as to the agenda most suitable

to bring this case to resolution. The trial date reserved is

specifically reserved for this case. If the parties determine at

any time that the schedule outlined in this order cannot be met,

counsel are ordered to notify the court immediately of that fact

so that adjustments may be made, either by stipulation or by

subsequent scheduling conference. 

2. Stipulations extending the deadlines contained

herein will not be considered unless they are accompanied by

affidavits or declarations, and where appropriate attached

exhibits, which establish good cause for granting the relief

requested. 

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3. Failure to comply with this order may result in

the imposition of sanctions. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 10, 2010 /s/ Oliver W. Wanger 

emm0d6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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