Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-01963/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-01963-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 446
Nature of Suit: Americans with Disabilities Act - Other
Cause of Action: 42:12101 Americans with Disabilities Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

VICTORIA HERNANDEZ,

NO. 2:05-cv-1963-MCE-EFB

Plaintiff,

v. ORDER

KSM PROPERTIES, KSM FOOD

STORE, INC.,

Defendants.

----oo0oo----

Through the present action, Plaintiff Victoria Hernandez

(“Plaintiff”) alleges disability discrimination in violation of

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §

12181, et seq. (“ADA”) and related provisions sounding under

state law pursuant to the Unruh Civil Rights Act (California

Civil Code § 51, et seq.). The parties do not dispute that this

matter was resolved through execution of a Settlement Agreement

on or about March 26, 2007. 

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Case 2:05-cv-01963-MCE -EFB Document 28 Filed 05/29/07 Page 1 of 3
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In addition to the payment of $4,000.00 in damages, that

Agreement provided that Plaintiff was entitled to reasonable

attorney’s fees and costs to be determined by the Court by motion

filed within one month following the date of the Agreement. (See

Settlement Agreement, Ex. 16 to Decl. Of Thomas N. Stewart, III). 

Plaintiff accordingly filed the instant Motion for Fees and Costs

on April 15, 2007, seeking attorney’s fees in the amount of

$6,850.00 (27.4 hours at $250.00 per hour) and costs of $296.00

(consisting of the $250.00 filing fee and $46.00 in expense for

service of process) for a total amount of $7,146.00. Although

the matter was scheduled for hearing on Friday, May 18, 2007,

Defendants filed no opposition whatsoever until the afternoon

beforehand (May 17, 2007) at a point in time where the matter had

already been submitted by the Court for disposition without oral

argument in accordance with the provisions of Local Rule 78-

230(h).

Both the ADA and applicable state law permit the prevailing

party in disability access litigation to recover reasonable

attorney’s fees and costs. Section 12205 of the ADA authorizes a

court, in its discretion, to “allow the prevailing party, other

than the United States, a reasonable attorney’s fee, including

litigation expenses, and costs . . . .” 42 U.S.C. § 12205. A

prevailing plaintiff under a statute so worded “should ordinarily

recover an attorney’s fee unless special circumstances would

render such an award unjust.” Barrios v. Cal. Interscholastic

Fed’n, 277 F.3d 1128, 1134 (9th Cir. 2002), quoting Hensley v.

Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 429 (1983). 

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A plaintiff who enters a legally enforceable settlement

agreement is considered a prevailing party. Id. Moreover,

California Civil Code § 55 provides that “the prevailing party

in the action shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s

fees.” Cal. Civ. Code § 55.

After reviewing the evidence submitted in support of

Plaintiff’s Motion, the Court finds that the fees and costs

claimed in this action are eminently reasonable under the

circumstances of this case. The Court disregards the Opposition

filed by Defendant after submission of this matter, and less than

one business day preceding the scheduled hearing, on grounds that

said Opposition was utterly untimely in contravention of Local

Rule 78-230(c), which requires that opposition, if any, to a

motion be filed not less than fourteen (14) days prior to the

hearing date. Although the Court hence views this Motion as

unopposed, it has still weighed the evidence submitted in support

of the Motion and in the exercise of its discretion finds the

fees and costs sought to be justified. 

Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff is entitled to reasonable

attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $7,146.00. Plaintiff

will accordingly be awarded that amount.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 25, 2007

_____________________________

MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 2:05-cv-01963-MCE -EFB Document 28 Filed 05/29/07 Page 3 of 3