Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_18-cv-03594/USCOURTS-cand-3_18-cv-03594-6/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 110
Nature of Suit: Insurance
Cause of Action: 12:635 Breach of Insurance Contract

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TAM VU,

Plaintiff,

v.

LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE 

COMPANY, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 18-cv-03594-SI 

ORDER RE DEFENDANTS’

ADMINISTRATIVE MOTION TO FILE 

UNDER SEAL AND THE PARTIES’ 

JOINT DISCOVERY DISPUTE 

LETTER

Re: Dkt. No. 53 & 57

On April 4, 2019, the parties filed a joint discovery dispute letter and defendants filed an 

administrative motion to file under seal. Dkt. Nos. 53 and 57. The dispute concerns a key witness 

in the case, Tamara Chukes, who was the claims investigator who met with plaintiff, surveyed 

plaintiff’s home, and ultimately denied plaintiff’s claim. Ms. Chukes has been out on medical leave 

for several months. On February 14, 2019, in response to a previous joint discovery dispute letter, 

this Court ordered that Ms. Chukes be produced for deposition sometime in April 2019 – when she 

was scheduled to return to work. Dkt. No. 50. Ms. Chukes’ medical leave has been extended again 

to May 7, 2019 with the possibility of being extended further. Defendants’ administrative motion 

includes an unredacted letter submitted only to the Court for in camera review – not provided to 

plaintiff’s counsel – that details the reasons for Ms. Chukes’ leave. 

The Court has reviewed all the papers and finds the underlying reasons for Ms. Chukes’ 

medical leave are potentially relevant to the action. As such, the unredacted letter submitted to the 

Court on April 4, 2019 (Dkt. No. 57-5) should be served on plaintiff’s counsel pursuant to the 

Protective Order (Dkt. No. 45) and treated as confidential. 

Ms. Chukes will not be required to testify in April, 2019. The deposition shall be reset for 

mid-late May, 2019 at a mutually agreeable time and place and with accommodations for Ms. 

Case 3:18-cv-03594-SI Document 59 Filed 04/08/19 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

Chukes, regardless of whether or not Ms. Chukes has returned to work, but presuming she is 

competent to testify. 

Further, the mediation cutoff is extended to July 1, 2019. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 8, 2019

______________________________________

SUSAN ILLSTON

United States District Judge

Case 3:18-cv-03594-SI Document 59 Filed 04/08/19 Page 2 of 2