Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01051/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01051-24/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Plaintiff J.S., by and through her guardian ad litem Adrian Dominguez seeks approval of the 

settlement reached on behalf of Plaintiff J.S. (Doc. 239) From the settlement of $180,000.00, 

Plaintiff’s counsel seeks fees in the amount of $45,000.00 and costs in the amount of $2,866.30. (Doc. 

239-1 at 2) However, Plaintiff’s counsel fails to provide any information regarding actions taken on 

behalf of the minor Plaintiff, the time expended, or the costs incurred by counsel. (See id.) Moreover, 

it is unclear whether Ms. Dominguez entered into a contract for the amount of fees requested by 

counsel. 

Pursuant to Local Rule 202(b), when seeking approval of a minor’s compromise, the parties 

must disclose:

the age and sex of the minor, the nature of the causes of action to be settled or 

compromised, the facts and circumstances out of which the causes of action arose, 

including the time, place and persons involved, the manner in which the compromise 

amount . . . was determined, including such additional information as may be required 

to enable the Court to determine the fairness of the settlement or compromise, and, if a 

TARA GARLICK, et al.,

 Plaintiffs,

v.

COUNTY OF KERN, et al.,

Defendants.

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Case No.: 1:13-cv-01051 - LJO - JLT

ORDER DIRECTING COUNSEL FOR 

PLAINTIFF J.S. TO FILE ADDITIONAL 

BRIEFING IN SUPPORT OF THE PETITION 

FOR APPROVAL OF THE COMPROMISE FOR 

MINOR PLAINTIFF J.S.

(Doc. 239)

Case 1:13-cv-01051-LJO-JLT Document 241 Filed 07/13/16 Page 1 of 2
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personal injury claim, the nature and extent of the injury with sufficient particularity to 

inform the Court whether the injury is temporary or permanent.

Local Rule 202(b)(2). The Court must independently investigate the fairness of the settlement even 

where the parent has recommended it. Robidoux v. Rosengren, 638 F.3d 1177, 1181 (9th Cir. 2011);

see also Salmeron v. United States, 724 F.2d 1357, 1363 (9th Cir. 1983) (holding that “a court must 

independently investigate and evaluate any compromise or settlement of a minor’s claims to assure 

itself that the minor’s interests are protected, even if the settlement has been recommended or 

negotiated by the minor’s parent or guardian ad litem”)

Here, without further information, the Court is unable to determine whether the fees and costs 

requested are appropriate deductions from the settlement apportioned for Plaintiff J.S. Accordingly,

the Counsel for Plaintiff J.S. SHALL file additional briefing supporting the fees and costs requested 

no later than July 22, 2016. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 13, 2016 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:13-cv-01051-LJO-JLT Document 241 Filed 07/13/16 Page 2 of 2