Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-00118/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-00118-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 360
Nature of Suit: Other Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Personal Injury

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CANDY KELLY, et al., )

)

Plaintiffs, )

v. )

)

EVERETT R. ECHOLS, II, M.D., )

an individual, et al., )

)

Defendants. )

)

 )

1:05-CV-00118-AWI-SMS

ORDER DIRECTING PLAINTIFF TO FILE

SUPPLEMENTAL BRIEFING REGARDING

MOTION FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT, AND

PERMITTING SUBMISSION OF

EVIDENCE, NO LATER THAN February

15, 2006

Plaintiffs are proceeding with a civil action in this Court.

The matter has been referred to the Magistrate Judge pursuant to

28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and Local Rules 72-302(c)(1) and 72-303.

On January 20, 2006, Plaintiff filed a notice of motion and

motion for default judgment, which is presently set to be heard

on February 24, 2006. 

An application for entry of default judgment is an

application to the Court for an order and thus qualifies as a

motion pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 7(b)(1) and Local Rule 1-

101(19). Therefore, it should include briefs on the pertinent

issues pursuant to Local Rule 78-230(b).

With respect to the instant motion, there are matters

concerning liability and damages which require briefing.

Case 1:05-cv-00118-AWI -DLB Document 49 Filed 01/25/06 Page 1 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

A default judgment generally bars the defaulting party from

disputing the facts alleged in the complaint, but the defaulting

party may argue that the facts as alleged do not state a claim.

Alan Neuman Productions, Inc. v. Albright, 862 F.2d 1388, 1392.

Thus, well pleaded factual allegations, except as to damages, are

taken as true; however, necessary facts not contained in the

pleadings, and claims which are legally insufficient, are not

established by default. Cripps v. Life Ins. Co. of North America,

980 F.2d 1261, 1267 (9th Cir. 1992); TeleVideo Systems, Inc. v.

Heidenthal, 826 F.2d 915, 917 (9th Cir. 1987).

Plaintiff has not provided the Court with points and

authorities showing that the Plaintiff’s claims include

allegations of all the necessary elements required for

entitlement to relief. It is the party’s burden to demonstrate to

the Court what law applies and that under the pertinent law, the

Plaintiff’s claim, as alleged, is legally sufficient.

Likewise, the applicant should supply the Court with all

pertinent and necessary legal authority pursuant to which it is

appropriate to enter judgment against a particular party based

upon the allegations of the party’s status, agency,

participation, or other alleged basis for liability of the

particular party. 

As to damages, generally the scope of proceedings on an

application for default judgment involves a determination of

damages, which Plaintiff must prove by evidence, whether by

affidavits where an evidentiary hearing is waived, Davis

v.Fendler, 650 F.2d 1154, 1161-62 (9th Cr. 1981), or by evidence,

Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2). Plaintiff has not provided evidence of

Case 1:05-cv-00118-AWI -DLB Document 49 Filed 01/25/06 Page 2 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

3

damages.

Further, the moving party should also provide the Court with

legal authority in support of the measure of damages sought to be

applied by the party. Depending on the claims made by the

plaintiff, this may include informing the Court of the source of

the law governing the measure of damages, including interest

(i.e., federal or state), providing statutory and case law

defining the appropriate measure of damages and method of

computation of any interest sought, and informing the Court of

the law and the pertinent facts regarding any election of

remedies which the Plaintiff has made or must make. If attorneys

fees or costs are sought, authority for including costs or fees

in the judgment and for computing costs or fees should be set

forth.

Accordingly, it IS ORDERED that Plaintiff SHALL FILE

supplemental points and authorities, and may file evidentiary

submissions, addressing the matters set forth hereinabove no

later than February 15, 2006.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 24, 2006 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

icido3 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:05-cv-00118-AWI -DLB Document 49 Filed 01/25/06 Page 3 of 3