Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01400/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01400-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Federal Question: Other Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Plaintiff K.W., a minor, filed a petition to appoint Benita Palmer as his guardian ad litem in 

this action. (Doc. 14.) For the following reasons, the petition for the appointment of a guardian ad 

litem is GRANTED.

I. Procedural History

On January 6, 2014, the plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint, asserting the defendants 

are liable for the death of Ladwright Lamon Smith, the father of K.W. (Doc. 13.) According to the 

plaintiffs, Smith “was murdered while incarcerated at the California Correctional Institution, located in 

Tehachapi, California prison.” (Id. at 4.) The plaintiffs allege Smith was found bleeding in his cell on 

July 15, 2012, and was given adequate medical care because “[t]he two medical Defendants had 

difficulty operating electric shock, stop[ping] the leading, and did not call outside sources for 

assistance.” (Id. at 8, 9.) Further, the plaintiffs allege that “[t]he prison staff failed to evacuate the 

injured Smith, have the necessary and needed staff, failed to have the proper equipment or even a 

motorized and effective transportation system.” (Id. at 9-10.)

BENITA PALMER, et al.,

 Plaintiffs,

v.

SALVADOR VASQUEZ, et al.,

Defendants.

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Case No.: 1:13-cv-01400 - AWI - JLT 

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S PETITION 

FOR APPOINTMENT OF BENITA PALMER AS 

GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR MINOR K.W., Jr.

(Doc. 14)

Case 1:13-cv-01400-AWI-JLT Document 23 Filed 02/07/14 Page 1 of 3
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Based upon the foregoing, the plaintiffs assert the defendants are liable for wrongful death; 

negligence/ gross negligence; cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth and Fourteenth 

Amendments; violation of the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause; failure to properly supervise, 

hire, and train; and loss of freedom of association in violation of the First Amendment. (See Doc. 13.)

II. Legal Standard

Pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, “[a] minor . . . who does not have a duly 

appointed representative may sue by a next friend or by a guardian ad litem.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c)(2). 

In addition, a court “must appoint a guardian ad litem - or issue another appropriate order - to protect a 

minor or incompetent person who is unrepresented in an action.” Id. The capacity of an individual to 

sue is determined “by the law of the individual’s domicile.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(b). Here, the law of 

the state of California governs the ability of K.W. to bring suit. Pursuant to California law, a minor 

may bring suit as long as a guardian conducts the proceedings. Cal. Fam. Code §§ 6502, 6601. A

guardian ad litem may be appointed to represent the minor’s interests. Cal. Code Civ. P. § 372(a). 

In determining whether to appoint a particular guardian ad litem, the court must consider 

whether the minor and the guardian have divergent interests. Cal. Code Civ. P. § 372(b)(1). “When 

there is a potential conflict between a perceived parental responsibility and an obligation to assist the 

court in achieving a just and speedy determination of the action, a court has the right to select a 

guardian ad litem who is not a parent if that guardian would best protect the child’s interests.” Williams 

v. Super. Ct., 147 Cal. App. 4th 36, 38 (Cal. Ct. App. 4th 2007) (internal quotation marks and citation 

omitted). “[I]f the parent has an actual or potential conflict of interest with his child, the parent has no 

right to control or influence the child’s litigation.” Id. at 50.

III. Discussion

Plaintiff is fourteen years old, and requests the appointment of his mother, Benita Palmer, as 

his guardian ad litem. (Doc. 14; Doc. 22-1.) Because Plaintiff is under the age of eighteen, he is a 

minor under California law. See Cal. Fam. Code § 6502. Therefore, as a minor, his ability to bring 

suit is contingent upon appointment by the court of a guardian ad litem. 

Upon review of the Second Amended Complaint, it does not appear there are adverse interests

in this action. Therefore, Ms. Palmer’s appointment as guardian ad litem for K.W. is appropriate. See 

Case 1:13-cv-01400-AWI-JLT Document 23 Filed 02/07/14 Page 2 of 3
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Burke v. Smith, 252 F.3d 1260, 1264 (11th Cir. 2001) (“Generally, when a minor is represented by a 

parent who is a party to the lawsuit and who has the same interests as the child there is no inherent 

conflict of interest.”); see also Anthem Life Ins. Co. v. Olguin, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 37669, at *7 

(E.D. Cal. May 9, 2007) (observing “[a] parent is generally appointed guardian ad litem”).

IV. Conclusion and Order

The decision whether to appoint a guardian ad litem is “normally left to the sound discretion of 

the trial court.” United States v. 30.64 Acres of Land, etc., 795 F.2d 796, 804 (9th Cir. 1986). Here, it 

does not appear Ms. Palmer has interests that conflict with the interest of her son. Therefore, the Court 

is acting within its discretion to approve the appointment of Ms. Palmer as the guardian ad litem.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 

1. The petition for appointment of Benita Palmer as guardian ad litem for Plaintiff K.W. is 

GRANTED; and 

2. Benita Palmer is appointed to act as guardian ad litem for Plaintiff K.W., and is 

authorized to prosecute this action on his behalf.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 7, 2014 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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