Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_18-cv-01395/USCOURTS-caed-1_18-cv-01395-8/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 790
Nature of Suit: Other Labor Litigation
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Employment Discrimination

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BRUCE MORRELLI, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

CORIZON HEALTH, INC.,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:18-cv-01395-NONE-SAB

ORDER RE STIPULATION TO EXTEND 

STAY OF ACTION FOR THIRTY DAYS

(ECF No. 46)

Plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and a putative class of similarly situated individuals, 

filed a complaint against Defendant Corizon Health, Inc. (“Defendant”) in Fresno County 

Superior Court on September 5, 2018, alleging various wage-and-hour claims under California 

law. On October 9, 2018, Defendant removed the complaint to the Eastern District of California. 

(ECF No. 1.) After two motions to dismiss were filed and decided by the district judge, this 

action is now proceeding on Plaintiff’s second amended complaint, filed on March 1, 2019. 

(ECF No. 25.) 

On July 19, 2019, this matter was stayed at the parties’ request to allow for settlement 

negotiations, and the scheduling order was amended. (ECF No. 36.) On August 28, 2019, the 

Court granted the parties’ stipulated request to stay the action for sixty (60) days, and the Court 

vacated the scheduling order with instructions to file a joint statement with proposed dates if the 

action did not settle. (ECF No.41.) On November 18, 2019, the parties filed a stipulation 

Case 1:18-cv-01395-JLT-SAB Document 47 Filed 02/24/20 Page 1 of 3
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requesting a further stay of this action for ninety (90) days, proffering that since the initial stay of 

the action, they had been diligently working on settlement negotiations, however, the 

negotiations had been delayed due to the medical needs of counsel, and due to waiting for an 

expert report. (ECF No. 43.) On November 19, 2019, pursuant to the stipulation, the Court 

extended the stay of this action, and specified that the stay would automatically lift on February 

17, 2020, unless the parties filed a stipulation requesting a further stay. (ECF No. 44.) 

On February 24, 2020, the parties filed a stipulation requesting the stay of this matter be 

continued an additional thirty (30) days. (ECF No. 46.) In the filing, the parties state they: (1) 

remain engaged in active efforts exchanging information to assist in settlement negotiations; (2) 

have recently exchanged expert information regarding valuation of damages and are discussing 

their position regarding such valuation; and (3) the parties are working on an agreement to attend 

mediation, and believe in the next thirty days they will be able to reach an agreement as to 

mediation and finalize their positions regarding damages to conclude settlement discussions. 

(Id.) 

The Court notes that the stipulation does not address the fact that it was not filed until 

after the stay expired pursuant to the previous order continuing the stay only until February 17, 

2020. (ECF Nos. 44, 46.) The Court is also concerned that the parties only state they hope to 

come to an agreement on mediation in the next thirty days, however, it is likely they will seek an 

additional extension of the stay to accommodate such mediation if it occurs. Nonetheless, given 

the parties statements describing continued good faith settlement negotiations and desire to 

conclude the settlement negotiations now that the parties have the expert valuation reports in 

hand, the Court finds good cause to reinstate the stay of this action for the parties to further work 

on settlement. The parties are cautioned to exercise more caution in the future and ensure that 

any further request to continue the stay of this action is filed before the expiration of the stay. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. This matter is STAYED until March 25, 2020; 

2. The stay will automatically lift on March 25, 2020, unless the parties file a 

stipulation requesting a further stay; and

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3. Within seven (7) days of the stay of this action lifting, the parties shall file a joint 

statement setting forth proposed dates if the action has not settled.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 24, 2020 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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