Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-05800/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-05800-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHELSEA, LLC, MARK RUSSO, ALLEN

LORETZ, and IVAN SIMPSON,

individually and on behalf of all

others similarly situated,

Plaintiffs,

 v.

REGAL STONE, LTD., HANJIN SHIPPING,

CO., LTD., CONTI CAIRO KG, NSB

NEIDERELBE, SYNERGY MARITIME, LTD.

IN PERSONAM, M/V COSCO BUSAN, their

engines, tackle, equipment,

appurtenances, freights, and cargo

IN REM,

Defendants.

 

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Case No. 07-5800 SC

(and related cases:

 07-6045 SC

 07-5926 SC)

ORDER RE DEFENDANTS'

COMMUNICATION WITH

PUTATIVE CLASS

MEMBERS AND ORDER

LIFTING STAY

At the hearing held on February 22, 2008, the Court ordered

Defendants to inform those individuals who have already signed

Defendants' so-called "Prepayment Advance Form" that by signing

this form, these individuals had in no way waived or prejudiced

their right to join any lawsuit against Defendants for the oil

spill resulting from the crash of the Cosco Busan on November 7,

2007. In a letter submitted April 15, 2008, Defendants, in

defending their failure to comply with the Court's order, stated

that "they believe it is premature to provide notice to claimants

Case 3:07-cv-05800-SC Document 86 Filed 04/25/08 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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who have previously executed releases . . . ." Docket No. 83.

In light of this willful failure to comply with the Court's

prior order, and pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(d)

and the Supreme Court's holding in Gulf Oil v. Bernard, 452 U.S.

89 (1981), the Court hereby ORDERS the following: 

- Defendants shall draft and send a letter to all individuals

who have signed the Prepayment Advance Form or any other claims

process forms issued by Defendants or Hudson Marine. 

- The letter shall indicate that by signing a release form,

claimants have in no manner waived or prejudiced their right to

join any lawsuit or class action against Defendants for the oil

spill damages resulting from the crash of the Cosco Busan on

November 7, 2007. 

- By 12:00 p.m. on May 2, 2008, Defendants shall submit an

affidavit indicating that they have complied with this Court's

Order.

- A copy of the above-described letter shall be attached to

the affidavit and submitted to the Court. 

- If Defendants fail to comply with this Order by May 2,

Defendants are to appear in Courtroom #1 on the 17th floor at

10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 5, at which time the Court will impose

sanctions for non-compliance with this Court's orders.

- Furthermore, Defendants shall amend their "Prepayment

Advance Form" so that it clearly states that acceptance of any

payment is without prejudice to pursuit of any legal action in a

court of law, or join any class action concerning this matter.

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Case 3:07-cv-05800-SC Document 86 Filed 04/25/08 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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- The stay on discovery is lifted, notwithstanding the right

of any party to exercise any privileges to which he or she may be

entitled.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 25, 2008

 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:07-cv-05800-SC Document 86 Filed 04/25/08 Page 3 of 3