Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_16-cv-01586/USCOURTS-cand-3_16-cv-01586-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 362
Nature of Suit: Medical Malpractice
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal- Medical Malpractice

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JOINT STIPULATION AND ORDER TO REMAND ACTION BACK TO STATE COURT

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Alexander F. Giovanniello (CSB # 125562)

Thomas C. Swann (CSB #229422)

GIOVANNIELLO LAW GROUP

One Pointe Drive, Suite 300

Brea, California 92821

Ph: (714) 364-4000

Fax: (714) 364-4001

Attorneys for Defendant:

DRIFTWOOD HAYWARD OPERATING

COMPANY, LLC dba DRIFTWOOD

HEALTHCARE CENTER – HAYWARD

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

EVELYN PORTER, individually and as 

successor in interest to the ESTATE OF 

MINNIE GARRETT, HUMPHREY 

GARRETT, LAWRENCE GARRETT, 

TOMMY GARRETT, VIRGINIA 

GARRETT, DENISE DEWS, LEVI 

PERRY and GREGORY GARRETT, SR.

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Case No.: 3:16-cv-1586

JOINT STIPULATION AND ORDER TO 

REMAND ACTION BACK TO STATE 

COURT

 

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Plaintiffs, )

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vs. )

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DRIFTWOOD HAYWARD 

OPERATING COMPANY, LLC d/b/a 

DRIFTWOOD HEALTHCARE 

CENTER-HAYWARD, DRIFTWOOD 

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS 

CENTER, LLC, NATHANETTE 

FIELDS, MARGARITA MCKEEVER, 

MAZETTA GARRETT, and DOES 1 to 

20, inclusive,

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Defendants. )

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Case 3:16-cv-01586-SI Document 9 Filed 04/26/16 Page 1 of 5
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JOINT STIPULATION AND ORDER TO REMAND ACTION BACK TO STATE COURT

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WHEREAS on March 31, 2016, Defendant DRIFTWOOD HAYWARD OPERATING

COMPANY, LLC dba DRIFTWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER – HAYWARD removed this 

action from the Superior Court of California to the U.S. District Court based on the diversity of 

the parties.

WHEREAS in support of diversity jurisdiction, Defendant DRIFTWOOD HAYWARD 

OPERATING COMPANY, LLC dba DRIFTWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER – HAYWARD 

relied upon a Response to a Statement of Damages served by Plaintiffs on March 21, 2016 to 

establish that amount in controversy was over $75,000.00. This Response to Defendant’s 

Statement of Damages was the first Court-filed, or otherwise admissible evidence, suggesting 

that the amount in controversy was over $75,000.00.

WHEREAS shortly after Defendant filed its Notice of Removal, Plaintiffs’ Counsel 

forwarded correspondence citing to multiple authorities standing for the proposition that the 

amount in controversy was established in certain correspondence authored by Plaintiffs in 

anticipation of mediation in November of 2015. As a result, it is Plaintiffs’ contention that the 

deadline for removal had lapsed.

WHEREAS upon consideration of the legal authorities submitted by Plaintiffs, 

Defendant DRIFTWOOD HAYWARD OPERATING COMPANY, LLC dba DRIFTWOOD 

HEALTHCARE CENTER – HAYWARD is now of the opinion that its removal of the instant 

action was untimely, and as a result, this Court should remand the action back to the Superior 

Court of California without the need for a formal Motion for Remand to be filed by Plaintiffs. 

THEREFORE, it is stipulated between the parties as follows:

1. Without the need for formal law and motion, this action should be remanded back to 

the Superior Court of California as the removal of this action was untimely pursuant 

to 28 U.S.C. §1446(b)(3).

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Case 3:16-cv-01586-SI Document 9 Filed 04/26/16 Page 2 of 5
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JOINT STIPULATION AND ORDER TO REMAND ACTION BACK TO STATE COURT

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IT IS SO STIPULATED:

Dated: April 6, 2016 BRACAMONTES & VLASAK

/s/ Michael R. Bracamontes

Michael R. Bracamontes

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

Humphrey Garrett, Denise Dews, Virginia Garrett, 

Tommy Garrett and Lawrence Garrett, as 

successors in interest, and individually

Dated: April 6, 2016 LAW OFFICES OF GEORGE HOLLAND

/s/ George Holland

George Holland

Attorneys for Plaintiff

Evelyn Porter, as successors in interest, and 

individually

Dated: April 6, 2016 GIOVANNIELLO LAW GROUP

By: /s/ Thomas C. Swann

Alexander F. Giovanniello

Thomas C. Swann

Attorneys for Defendant

DRIFTWOOD HAYWARD OPERATING

COMPANY, LP dba DRIFTWOOD 

HEALTHCARE CENTER – HAYWARD

IT IS SO ORDERED:

1. Without the need for formal law and motion, this Court hereby remands the action 

back to the Superior Court of California as the removal of this action was untimely 

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1446(b)(3).

Dated: ___________________, 2016 ___________________________________

Judge of the United States District Court –

Northern District of California

Case 3:16-cv-01586-SI Document 9 Filed 04/26/16 Page 3 of 5
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PROOT' OX' SERVICE

I am employed in the county of Orangeo State of Califomia. I am over the age of eighteen

years and not a party to the within entitled action; my business address is One Pointe Drive, Suite

300 Brea, California 92821.

On April 6, 2016, I served the foregoing document(s) described âs, JOINT

STIPULATION AND ORDER TO REMAND ACTION BACK TO STATE COURT, by placing

the true copies thereof enclosed in sealed envelopes address as follows:

SEE SERVICE LIST ATTACHED

(XX) BY U.S. MAIL: I am o'readiþ familiar" with the_business practice for collection and

processing of correspondence for mailing with the United Státes Postal Service. Under

!þa! ppgtice the envelope was sealed and placed for collection and mailing with the

United States Postal Service on that same day with postage thereon fully prepaid at Brea,

California following ordinary business practices.

( ) BY PERSONAL SERVICE: I personally delivered the documents to the person(s) at the

address(es) listed above (or on the attached service list). (l) For a party reþresented by an

attorney, delivery wasmade to the attorney or at the attorney's office-by leavingthe

documents in an envelope or package clearly labeled to idéntift the aitorney õeing

sgrve{, with a receptionist or an individual in charge of the office between the hours oT

nine in the morning-and five in the evening. (2) Fbr a pdy, delivery was made to the

qarty_o^r by leaving the documents at theparty's residencè with some person not younger

than 18 years of age between the hours ofeight in the morning and sixìn the evening. -

BY OVERNIGHT PEL.IyEBY: I placed said envelope(s) for collection and ovemight

delivery at a regularly utilized drop box of the overnighi dèiivery carrier.

BY FAX TRANSMISSION: I faxed said document(s) to the person(s) indicated on the

service list.

BY ELECTRONIC SERVICE: I caused the document(s) to be sent to the person(s) at the

electronic notification addresses listed on the service lisi.'

Executed on April 612016, at Brea, California.

STATE: I declare under penalty of perjwy under the laws of the State of California

that the foregoing is true and correCt. -

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(XX)

Case 3:16-cv-01586-SI Document 9 Filed 04/26/16 Page 4 of 5
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Evelyn Porter. et. al. v. Driftwood Hayward Operating Company. LLC. et. al.

Case No.: 4:16-cv-1586

SERVICE LIST

George Holland

LAV/ OFFICES OF GEORGE HOLLAND

1970 Broadway, Suite 750

Oakland, California 94612

Counsel þr Plaintiff Evelyn P orter

Tel: (510) 465-4100

Fax: (510)465-4747

Michael R. Bracamontes

BRACAMONTES & VLASAK

220Montgomery Street, Suite 870

San Francisco, California 94104

Associate Counsel þr Plaintffi Humphrey

Garret, Denise Dews, Virginia Garrett,

Tommy Garrett and Lawrence Ganett

Tel: (4ls) 835-6777

Fax: (415) 835-6780

Case 3:16-cv-01586-SI Document 9 Filed 04/26/16 Page 5 of 5