Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-00592/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-00592-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 315
Nature of Suit: Airplane Product Liability
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Wrongful Death

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WATSON v. S.N.I.A., et al.; Case No. CIV-S-03-592 LKK DAD;

ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR FINDING OF GOOD FAITH -1-

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

_______________________________

DOREEN ANNETTE WATSON, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

vs.

SOCIETE NATIONALE INDUSTRIELLE

AEROSPATIALE, et al.,

Defendants.

_______________________________

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CASE NO. CIV S-03-592 LKK DAD

ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR

DETERMINATION OF GOOD FAITH

PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA CODE OF

CIVIL PROCEDURE § 877.6(a)(2)

Date: October 24, 2005

Time: 10 a.m.

Dept: 4

Judge: Hon. Lawrence K. Karlton

Defendants PITT HELICOPTERS, INC., a Nevada Corp.; MOUNTAIN

LIFE FLIGHT, L.P., a California Limited Partnership; MOUNTAIN

E.M.S., INC., a California Corp.; and DAVID REGER, individually

and d/b/a MOUNTAIN AVIATION SERVICES have filed a motion for a

finding that a settlement is “in good faith” pursuant to Section

877.6(a)(2) of the California Code of Civil Procedure. 

The settlement is between the following Parties: Plaintiff

DOREEN ANNETTE WATSON, individually and as successor-in-interest

to the Estate of Raymond E. Watson, II, deceased, and Defendants

PITT HELICOPTERS, INC., a Nevada Corp.; MOUNTAIN LIFE FLIGHT,

L.P., a California Limited Partnership; MOUNTAIN E.M.S., INC., a

California Corp.; DAVID REGER, individually and d/b/a MOUNTAIN

AVIATION SERVICES; and a number of other Releasors and Releasees

listed in the Settlement Agreement.

Case 2:03-cv-00592-LKK -DAD Document 125 Filed 11/02/05 Page 1 of 4
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WATSON v. S.N.I.A., et al.; Case No. CIV-S-03-592 LKK DAD;

ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR FINDING OF GOOD FAITH -2-

After reviewing all papers filed in this matter, including

the supporting evidentiary declarations, and good cause

appearing, the Court hereby GRANTS the Motion, making the

following specific determinations and orders:

1. The Settlement Agreement attached as Exhibit “3" to the

Attorney Stephen Nelson Declaration is hereby APPROVED,

and the parties are hereby ORDERED to comply with all

terms of the Agreement.

2. The settlement contained in Exhibit “3" to the Nelson

Declaration is hereby found to have been made and

entered into in “good faith” between the parties to the

Agreement, within the meaning and effect of Section

877.6 of the California Code of Civil Procedure,

because: a) the settlement amount is the full limit of

the liability insurance policy available to the

settling defendants; b) the settling defendants have

no other applicable liability insurance available to

pay any judgment for damages in this action; c) the

settlement is within the “ball park” of an

approximation of the settling defendants’ anticipated

proportionate liability for any damages which may be

awarded to plaintiffs; d) the settling defendants

should pay less in settlement of the claims against

them than they might be required to pay if the are

Case 2:03-cv-00592-LKK -DAD Document 125 Filed 11/02/05 Page 2 of 4
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WATSON v. S.N.I.A., et al.; Case No. CIV-S-03-592 LKK DAD;

ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR FINDING OF GOOD FAITH -3-

found liable after a contested trial; and e) the

settlement was reached through a process of arms length

negotiation between adversaries and was not the result

of any collusion, fraud, tortious or other improper

conduct by the parties or their attorneys.

3. Any claims by alleged joint tortfeasors for

contribution or indemnity based on comparative

negligence or comparative fault are hereby barred

against the Releasees in the Settlement Agreement and

Full and Final Release of All Claims that was included

in the moving papers for this Motion as Exhibit “3" to

the Nelson Declaration.

4. The sum of money described in the Agreement payable to

Plaintiff constitutes damages on account of personal

injuries or sickness.

5. Each side shall bear their own fees and costs in this

action.

6. For all purposes, including enforcement of the rights

and responsibilities of the parties, this Court

reserves all necessary personal and subject matter

jurisdiction over the settling parties and this action

until all claims arising from the subject accident are

Case 2:03-cv-00592-LKK -DAD Document 125 Filed 11/02/05 Page 3 of 4
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WATSON v. S.N.I.A., et al.; Case No. CIV-S-03-592 LKK DAD;

ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR FINDING OF GOOD FAITH -4-

completed, and all appeals, if any, are exhausted and

appeal times expired.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: November 1, 2005

/s/Lawrence K. Karlton 

LAWRENCE K. KARLTON

SENIOR JUDGE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CONTENT this 21 day of September 2005.

/s/ Michael J. Harrington

Michael J. Harrington, Esq.

Attorney for DOREEN WATSON, Plaintiff

APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CONTENT this 22 day of September 2005.

BAILEY AND PARTNERS, P.C.

By: /s/ Stephen L. Nelson

Stephen L. Nelson, Esq.

Attorneys for PITT HELICOPTERS, INC., a Nevada

Corporation, Defendant

APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CONTENT this 21 day of September, 2005.

KENNEY & MARKOWITZ, L.L.P.

By: /s/ Harvey T. Elam

Donald Honigman, Esq.

Harvey Elam, Esq.

MOUNTAIN LIFE FLIGHT, L.P., a California Limited

Partnership; MOUNTAIN E.M.S., INC., a California Corp.; and

DAVID R. REGER, individually, and d/b/a MOUNTAIN

AVIATION SERVICES, Defendants; and ERIK K. DUARTE, Releasee

Case 2:03-cv-00592-LKK -DAD Document 125 Filed 11/02/05 Page 4 of 4