Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-01798/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-01798-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 350
Nature of Suit: Motor Vehicle Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:2671 Federal Tort Claims Act

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McGREGOR W. SCOTT

United States Attorney

KELLI L.TAYLOR

Assistant United States Attorney

Office of the United States Attorney

Eastern District of California

501 I Street, Suite 10-100

Sacramento, CA 95814

PHONE: 916-554-2741

FAX: 916-554-2900

Attorneys for Defendants 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

LISA M. COFIELD and MICHAEL ) Case No. 2:06-CV-01798 

COFIELD, )

)

)

Plaintiffs, )

)

v. )

 )

)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, )

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, )

)

Defendants. )

)

)

 )

It is hereby stipulated by and between Plaintiff Lisa M. Cofield ("Plaintiff") and all

named Defendants, collectively referred to as the United States of America (with plaintiff, "the

parties"), and their undersigned attorneys as follows:

1. The parties hereby agree to settle and compromise each and every claim of any kind,

whether known or unknown, arising directly or indirectly from the acts or omissions that gave

rise to the above-captioned action under the terms and conditions set forth in this Stipulation.

2. The United States agrees to pay the sum of two-hundred fifty thousand dollars

($250,000.00) to Plaintiff, which sum shall be in full settlement and satisfaction of any and all

claims, demands, rights, and causes of action of whatsoever kind and nature, arising from, and

SETTLEMENT STIPULATION;

RELEASES; DISMISSAL; ORDER

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by reason of any and all known and unknown, foreseen and unforeseen bodily and personal

injuries, damage to property and the consequence thereof, resulting, and to result, from the

subject matter of this action, including any claims for wrongful death, which plaintiff or his

guardians, heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, and each of them, now have or may

hereafter acquire against the United States, its agents, servants, and employees. 

3. Plaintiff and her guardians, heirs, executors, administrators or assigns hereby agree to

accept the sum set forth in paragraph 2 in full settlement and satisfaction of any and all claims,

demands, rights, and causes of action of whatsoever kind and nature, including claims for

wrongful death, arising from, and by reason of, any and all known and unknown, foreseen and

unforeseen bodily and personal injuries, damage to property and the consequences thereof that

they may have or hereafter acquire against the United States, its agents, servants, and employees

on account of the same subject matter that gave rise to this action, including any future claim or

lawsuit of any kind or type whatsoever, whether known or unknown, and whether for

compensatory or exemplary damages. Plaintiff and her guardians, heirs, executors,

administrators, or assigns further agree to reimburse, indemnify and hold harmless the United

States and its agents, servants and employees from and against any and all causes of action,

claims, liens, rights, or subrogated or contribution interests incident to or resulting from further

litigation or the prosecution of claims arising from the subject matter of this action.

4. Plaintiff’s undersigned attorney represents that he has explained, and plaintiff

warrants and represents that he intends, that this Stipulation shall release all existing and future

claims arising directly or indirectly from the acts or omissions that gave rise to the abovecaptioned action, including claims that are unknown and unforeseen, notwithstanding Section

1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California, which provides as follows:

A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor

does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of

executing [this] Release, which if known by him must have

materially affected his settlement with the debtor.

5. This Stipulation is not, is in no way intended to be, and should not be construed as, an

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admission of liability or fault on the part of the United States or its agents, servants, or

employees, and it is specifically denied that they are liable to plaintiffs. This settlement is

entered into by all parties for the purpose of compromising disputed claims under the Federal

Tort Claims Act and avoiding the expenses and risks of further litigation.

6. The parties agree that they will each bear their own costs, fees, and expenses; that any

attorney's fees owed by plaintiff will be paid out of the settlement amount and not in addition

thereto; and that all outstanding or future bills and liens will be the sole responsibility of

plaintiff. Pursuant to Title 28, United States Code, Section 2678, attorney's fees for services

rendered in connection with this action shall not exceed 25 percent of the amount of the

compromise settlement.

7. Payment of the settlement amount will be made by check payable to plaintiff and her

attorney, John Jefferson, Esq. Plaintiff's attorney agrees to distribute the settlement proceeds, and

to obtain a dismissal of the above-captioned action with prejudice, with each party bearing its

own fees, costs and expenses.

8. The parties and their undersigned attorneys agree to execute and deliver such other

and further documents as may be required to carry out the terms of this Agreement.

9. Each person signing this Stipulation warrants and represents that he or she possesses

full authority to bind the person[s] on whose behalf he or she is signing to the terms of the

Stipulation.

10. Each person signing this Stipulation warrants and represents that no promises,

inducements, or other agreements not expressly contained herein have been made; that this

Stipulation contains the entire agreement between the parties; and that the terms of this

Stipulation are contractual and not mere recitals. This Stipulation may not be altered, amended,

modified, or otherwise changed in any respect, except by a writing duly executed by the party to

be charged. All prior oral understandings, agreements, and writings are superseded by this

Stipulation and are of no force or effect.

11. Each person executing this Stipulation represents that he or she has read and

understands its contents; that he or she executes this Stipulation voluntarily; that he or she has

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not been influenced by any person acting on behalf of any party.

12. The above-captioned action is hereby DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE in its

entirety and, upon approval by the Court as provided below, the Clerk of the Court is requested

to enter this dismissal and release in the official docket.

13. Notwithstanding the entry of a dismissal herein, the parties hereby stipulate that Hon.

Lawrence Karlton, District Judge, shall retain jurisdiction to enforce the terms of this

compromise settlement.

Respectfully submitted,

McGREGOR W. SCOTT

United States Attorney

 Dated: January 25, 2008 KELLI L. TAYLOR Assistant United States Attorney

For Defendant

 Dated: January 25, 2008 JOHN JEFFERSON Attorney for Plaintiff

 Dated: January 25, 2008 LISA COFIELD Plaintiff

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ORDER

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Date: March 14, 2008.

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