Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-01486/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-01486-8/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 350
Nature of Suit: Motor Vehicle Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Motor Vehicle Product Liability

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McGREGOR W. SCOTT

United States Attorney

KURT A. DIDIER

Assistant United States Attorney

501 I Street, Suite 10-100

Sacramento, California 95814

Telephone: (916) 554-2750

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DAVID SINGLETON and LINDA

SINGLETON,

Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FAF,

INC., and RUTH ANN HAYDEN, 

Defendants. ______________________________

 AND RELATED CROSS-ACTIONS. 

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No. CIV S-04-1486-FCD/DAD

SETTLEMENT STIPULATION;

RELEASES; DISMISSAL WITH

PREJUDICE; AND ORDER

Plaintiffs David and Linda Singleton and defendants the

United States of America, FAF, Inc. and Ruth Ann Hayden agree to

the following disposition of this case: 

1. The parties 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. Defendants agree to pay Plaintiffs the total sum of two

hundred eighty-seven thousand five hundred dollars ($287,500.00). 

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Of this amount, the United States will pay one hundred thirtyseven thousand five hundred dollars ($137,500.00) and FAF, Inc.

and Ruth Ann Hayden will pay one hundred fifty thousand dollars

($150,000.00). These sums 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 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 Plaintiffs or their guardians, heirs, executors,

administrators, or assigns, and each of them, now have or may

hereafter acquire against the United States, FAF, Inc. and Ruth

Ann Hayden and their agents, servants, present and former

employees, principals, officers, directors, shareholders, parent

companies, subsidiaries, affiliates and attorneys (hereinafter,

the “Released Parties”).

3. Plaintiffs and their 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 which they may have or

hereafter acquire against the United States, FAF, Inc. and Ruth

Ann Hayden and the Released Parties on account of the same

subject matter that gave rise to this action, including any

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future claim or lawsuit of any kind or type whatsoever, whether

known or unknown, and whether for compensatory or exemplary

damages. Plaintiffs and their guardians, heirs, executors,

administrators, or assigns further agree to reimburse, indemnify

and hold harmless the United States, FAF, Inc. and Ruth Ann

Hayden and the Released Parties 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. Plaintiffs’ undersigned attorney represents that he has

explained, and Plaintiffs warrant and represent that they agree

that this Stipulation shall release all existing and future

claims arising directly or indirectly from the acts or omissions

that gave rise to the above-captioned 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 an admission of liability or

fault on the part of the United States, FAF, Inc., Ruth Ann

Hayden or the Released Parties 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

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risks of further litigation.

6. Federal defendant the United States and non-federal 

defendants FAF, Inc. and Ruth Ann Hayden have filed cross-actions

against each other for contribution and indemnity based on

Plaintiffs’ underlying negligence claims. The Defendants agree

that the dismissal of this case includes the termination of the

cross-actions and a release of all claims they may have against

each other to the same extent as Plaintiffs’ release of the

Defendants. 

7. The parties agree that they will each bear their own

costs, fees, and expenses; that any attorney's fees owed by

Plaintiffs 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 Plaintiffs’ sole responsibility. With respect

to the United States’ portion of the settlement amount

($137,500.00), Title 28, United States Code, Section 2678, states

that attorney's fees for services rendered in connection with

this action shall not exceed 25 percent.

8. Payment of the settlement amounts will be made by check

payable to Plaintiffs and their attorneys, Dreyer, Babich,

Buccola & Callaham, LLP and Plaintiffs’ attorneys agree to

distribute the settlement proceeds to their clients.

9. 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.

10. 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

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the Stipulation. This Stipulation may be executed in

counterparts and circulated for signatures by facsimile

transmission. All such counterparts, together, shall be deemed

one document.

11. 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.

12. Each person executing this Stipulation represents that

he or she has read and understands its contents; that he or she

executes this Stipulation voluntarily; and that he or she has not

been influenced by any person acting on behalf of any party.

13. The parties request that the Court enter an order

DISMISSING this case WITH PREJUDICE in its entirety. The parties

further request that, notwithstanding the entry of a dismissal

herein, the Hon. Frank C. Damrell, Jr., United States District

Judge, retain jurisdiction to enforce the terms of this

compromise settlement.

Date: 

DAVID SINGLETON

Plaintiff

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Date: 

LINDA SINGLETON

Plaintiff

DREYER, BABICH, BUCCOLA & 

CALLAHAM, LLP

Date: By: 

CHRISTOPHER W. WOOD

Attorneys for Plaintiff

McGREGOR W. SCOTT

United States Attorney

Date: By: 

 KURT A. DIDIER

Assistant U.S. Attorney

Attorneys for the United

States of America

HANSON, BRIDGETT, MARCOS,

VLAHOS & RUDY, LLP

Date: ______________ By: ___________________________ 

CHRISTINA M. NUGENT

Attorneys for FAF, Inc. and

Ruth Ann Hayden

ORDER

Pursuant to the terms of the parties’ Settlement

Stipulation, above, and Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a), this case is

DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. The Court shall retain jurisdiction to

enforce, if necessary, the terms of the Stipulation.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Date: June 12, 2007

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