Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-02591/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-02591-0/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SCOTT N. JOHNSON, 

 Plaintiff, No. CIV S-05-2591 DFL GGH

 vs. 

JACKIE C. MARTINEZ, et al., FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS 

Defendants. 

___________________________/

Plaintiff’s motion for entry of default judgment against Defendants Jackie

Martinez and Steve Martinez, filed July 17, 2006, was submitted on the record; the hearing

scheduled for September 7, 2006, was vacated. E. D. Cal. L. R. 78-230(h). Upon review of the

motion and supporting documents, and good cause appearing, the court issues the following

findings and recommendations.

BACKGROUND

On December 21, 2005, plaintiff filed the underlying complaint in this action

against defendants Jackie Martinez and Steve Martinez, owners of Fast Stop Food Mart, 5601

Wilkinson Street, Sacramento, California. See Complaint, at p. 2. Plaintiff alleges he visited the

store on April 10, 2005 and informed the cashier that the disabled parking space was worn out

and needed to be repainted. He was given a phone number to call, which he did, leaving a

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 As there is no proof of service upon any other person, it is presumed that plaintiff, 1

pursuant to his motion for default judgment, is dismissing Does 1 through 10. Otherwise, an

interlocutory partial judgment against only Steve and Jackie Martinez would be improper.

 Cal.Civil Code § 52(a) provides: “Whoever denies, aids or incites a denial, or makes

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any discrimination or distinction contrary to Section 51, 51.5, or 51.6, is liable for each and every

offense for the actual damages, and any amount that may be determined by a jury, or a court

sitting without a jury, up to a maximum of three times the amount of actual damage but in no

case less than four thousand dollars ($4,000), and any attorney’s fees that may be determined by

the court in addition thereto, suffered by any person denied the rights provided in Section 51,

51.5, or 51.6.”

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message. On September 10, 2005, plaintiff visited the store again but there had been no

alterations, causing plaintiff to make his purchases at other convenience stores. Complaint, at p.

3. He asserts the parking lot lacks a properly configured disabled parking space in violation of

the Americans With Disabilities Act and state law. Id. at 3-4. The summons and complaint were

personally served on defendant Steve Martinez and Jackie Martinez at defendants’ residence, on

December 28, 2005. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(e)(2). Pacific Atlantic Trading Co. v. M/V Main 1

Express, 758 F.2d 1325, 1331 (9th Cir. 1985) (default judgment void without personal

jurisdiction). Defendants have failed to file an answer or otherwise appear in this action. On

March 30, 2006, the clerk entered default against defendants Steve Martinez and Jackie

Martinez. 

Notice of entry of default and the instant motion for default judgment and

supporting papers were not served on defendants. If default judgment is sought against a party

who has appeared in the action, the party must be served with written notice of the application

for judgment at least three days prior to the hearing. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2). As defendants

never appeared in the action, there was no requirement that they be given notice of plaintiff’s

motion for default judgment. See LG Electronics, Inc. v. Advance Creative Computer Corp., 212

F. Supp. 2d 1171, 1174 (N.D. Cal., 2002). Plaintiff seeks an entry of default judgment in the

amount of $8,000 pursuant to California Civil Code section 52(a). 

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DISCUSSION

Entry of default effects an admission of all well-pleaded allegations of the

complaint by the defaulted party. Geddes v. United Financial Group, 559 F.2d 557 (9th Cir.

1977). The court finds the well pleaded allegations of the complaint state a claim for which

relief can be granted. Anderson v. Air West, 542 F.2d 1090, 1093 (9th Cir. 1976). The

memorandum of points and authorities filed in support of the motion for entry of default

judgment also support the finding that plaintiff is entitled to the relief requested. There are no

policy considerations which preclude the entry of default judgment of the type requested. See

Eitel v. McCool, 782 F.2d 1470, 1471-1472 (9th Cir. 1986). 

In view of the foregoing findings, it is the recommendation of this court that:

1. Plaintiffs’ motion for entry of default judgment be GRANTED as to Steve

Martinez and Jackie Martinez. Judgment should be rendered in the amount of $8,000.

2. Defendants Does 1 through 10 be dismissed from this action.

These findings and recommendations are submitted to the Honorable David F.

Levi, United States District Judge, pursuant to the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). 

Within ten days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file

written objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be

captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” Any reply to the

objections shall be served and filed within ten days after service of the objections. The parties

are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal

the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).

DATED: 10/2/06

/s/ Gregory G. Hollows

___________________________________

 GREGORY G. HOLLOWS

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

GGH:076/Johnson2591.def.wpd

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