Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_02-cv-01287/USCOURTS-caed-2_02-cv-01287-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Teresa Ann Barba
Plaintiff
Stephanie Loraine Barba
Plaintiff
Jessica Lynn Barba
Plaintiff
Leo Dreisen
Plaintiff
William Dreisen
Plaintiff
Ford Motor Company
Defendant

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BARR & MUDFORD

 Attorneys at Law

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Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement; and Order Approving Settlement 

and Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement

DUGAN BARR............................... State Bar No. 40663 

DOUGLAS MUDFORD................. State Bar No. 156392 

J. MICHAEL FAVOR ................... State Bar No. 85558 

DAVID CASE................................. State Bar No. 56701 

DOUGLAS H. NEWLAN .............. State Bar No. 032250 

BARR & MUDFORD, LLP 

1824 Court Street/Post Office Box 994390 

Redding, California 96099-4390 

Telephone: (530) 243-8008 Fax: (530) 243-1648 

Attorneys for Plaintiffs 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STEPHANIE LORAINE BARBA; ) NO. CIV.S—02—1287 DFL DAD 

JESSICA LYNN BARBA; and ) 

WILLIAM DREISEN, a Minor, by and ) STIPULATION OF DISMISSAL 

Through his Guardian ad Litem, ) BECAUSE OF SETTLEMENT; 

LEO DREISEN, Natural Children and ) and ORDER APPROVING 

Children and Heirs at Law of and ) SETTLEMENT AND STIPULATION 

Successors in Interest to Plaintiff ) OF DISMISSAL BECAUSE OF 

TERESA ANN BARBA, Deceased, ) SETTLEMENT 

) 

Plaintiffs, ) 

) 

vs. ) 

) 

FORD MOTOR COMPANY, et al., ) 

) 

Defendants. ) 

_________________________________ ) 

IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED BY AND BETWEEN THE PARTIES HEREIN 

AND THEIR RESPECITVE ATTORNEYS OF RECORD THAT: 

1. The parties have reached a settlement in this matter. 

2. The settlement was agreed to in private mediation on February 8, 2005, in the City 

of Red Bluff, Tehama County, California, before The Honorable Noel Watkins, Judge (retired) 

of the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Tehama. 

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Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement; and Order Approving Settlement 

and Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement

3. The settling defendant, FORD MOTOR COMPANY will pay to MARILYN 

YOUNG, the natural mother of TERESA ANN BARBA; the adult plaintiffs, STEPHANIE 

LORAINE BARBA and JESSICA LYNN BARBA, the natural daughters of TERESA ANN 

BARBA; and the minor plaintiff, WILLIAMM DREISEN, the natural son of TERESSA ANN 

BARBA, the total sum of Thirty-One Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Five Dollars 

($31,475.00) to be disbursed as indicated below. Additionally, the aforesaid settlement sum will 

be subject to attorneys’ costs in the amount indicated below: 

SETTLEMENT FUNDS DISTRIBUTION

Total Settlement Amount...............................................................$31,475.00 

Attorneys’ Costs.........................................................................$23,475.00

(The total amount of costs incurred by Barr & Mudford, LLP in prosecuting 

this case on behalf of TERESA ANN BARBA is $93,187.93, which amount 

far exceeds the total settlement sum. Therefore, Barr & Mudford, LLP 

(attorneys for plaintiffs herein) has reduced its cost bill by $69,712.93 and 

waives its attorneys’ fees.) 

Net Settlement (after Attorneys’ Costs and Fees)...................... ..............$ 8,000.00 

Net Settlement Amount (After Costs and Fees) to be Paid to Adult Plaintiff 

STEPHANIE LORAINE BARBA.........................................$ 2,000.00 

Net Settlement Amount (After Costs and Fees) to be Paid to Adult Plaintiff 

JESSICA LYNN BARBA...................................................$ 2,000.00 

Net Settlement Amount (After Costs and Fees) to be Paid to 

MARILYN YOUNG.........................................................$ 2,000.00 

Net Settlement Amount (After Costs and Fees) to be Paid to Minor Plaintiff 

WILLIAM DREISEN........................................................$ 2,000.00 

 

OUTSTANDING MEDICAL LIENS

 

4. A medical lien in the amount of $417,639.65 asserted by the State of California, 

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Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement; and Order Approving Settlement 

and Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement

Department of Health Services; and a medical lien in the amount of $194,439.50 asserted by the 

State of Oregon, Department of Human Services, are waived, because the total settlement 

amount is less than the legal costs incurred by Barr & Mudford, LLP in prosecuting this case. 

5. The settlement amount of Thirty-One Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Five 

Dollars ($31,475.00) is deemed to be in good faith and bars any and all future action(s) (by any 

and all plaintiffs) arising out of the automobile accident that occurred on April 12, 2001, in the 

City of Yreka, County of Siskiyou, State of California, in which plaintiffs’ loved one, TERESA 

ANN BARBA (“decedent”), sustained severe injuries that subsequently resulted in her death on 

November 19, 2003. Specifically, the claim(s) and/or any future claim(s) of MARILYN 

YOUNG (the decedent’s mother); and the claim(s) and/or any future claim(s) of the adult 

plaintiffs, STEPHANIE LORAINE BARBA (the decedent’s natural daughter) and JESSICA 

LYNN BARBA (the decedent’s natural daughter); and the claim(s) and/or any future claim(s) of 

the minor plaintiff, WILLIAM DREISEN (the decedent’s natural son), who are the heirs at law 

and successors in interest to the decedent plaintiff, TERESA ANN BARBA, against defendant 

FORD MOTOR COMPANY in connection with the automobile accident of April 12, 2001, and 

the resultant death of TERESA ANN BARBA on November 19, 2003, will be completely and 

forever resolved and settled upon the signing of the Order Approving Stipulation of Dismissal 

Because of Settlement (which is a part hereof) by the Honorable David F. Levi, Judge of the 

United States District Court, Eastern District of the State of California. 

REGARDING SETTLEMENT ON BEHALF OF PLAINTIFF

WILLIAM DREISEN, A MINOR

WILLIAM DREISEN, a minor, by and through his Guardian ad Litem, LEO DREISEN, 

hereinafter respectfully alleges: 

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Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement; and Order Approving Settlement 

and Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement

6. On April 23, 2004, by Order of The Honorable David F. Levi, Judge of the aboveentitled court, LEO DREISEN was appointed as the Guardian ad Litem of the minor plaintiff, 

WILLIAM DREISON, authorizing LEO DREISEN to act in that capacity on behalf of the 

minor, WILLIAM DREISON, in the above-captioned case. 

7. In his capacity of Guardian ad Litem, LEO DREISON hereby seeks leave of this 

Court to settle the minor’s claim in connection with the death of the minor’s mother, TERESA 

ANN BARBA, and to execute this Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement and to 

execute any and all other documents necessary to finalize the settlement on behalf of the minor, 

WILLIAM DREISON, as set forth hereinabove. 

8. Further, LEO DREISON, in his capacity of Guardian ad Litem for WILLIAM 

DREISON (the minor plaintiff herein), respectfully requests that the Court issue an Order

regarding monies received on behalf of the minor. Specifically, LEO DREISON requests an 

Order of this Court that, pursuant to Probate Code, Article 2, §3611(e), the minor’s net 

settlement sum of $2,000.00 be paid in one lump sum to the minor’s father and Guardian ad 

Litem, LEO DREISON, to be used at his sole discretion for the benefit of the minor, because the 

net settlement amount of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) (after costs) realized by the minor 

in this matter is less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). The aforesaid requested Order is 

part of and incorporated into the “Order” portion of this stipulation. 

9. NAME, AGE AND DATE OF BIRTH OF MINOR: 

WILLIAM DREISEN (hereinafter referred to as “the minor”) 

Fifteen (15) Years of Age Date of Birth: October 30, 1988 

10. RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM DREISEN, MINOR : 

300 Melanie Circle, Orland (Glenn County), California 95963 

11. RESIDENCE OF LEO DREISEN, GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR MINOR:

300 Melanie Circle, Orland (Glenn County), California 95963 

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Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement; and Order Approving Settlement 

and Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement

12. DATE OF INCIDENT: 

 April 12, 2001; and November 19, 2003 

13. PLACE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF INCIDENT: 

The minor is the natural son of LEO DREISEN and TERESA ANN BARBA. On 

April 12, 2001, TERESA ANN BARBA was driving her 1989 Ford Tempo automobile 

(hereinafter referred to as “the Ford”) on Fairlane Road in the City of Yreka, County of 

Siskiyou, State of California, when she lost control of the Ford so that it left the roadway, struck 

a mail box and a utility pole, rolled over and crashed. The aforesaid automobile accident is 

hereinafter referred to as “the accident.” At the time of the accident, the Ford was alleged to be 

in a dangerous and defective condition and is alleged to have contributed to the death of 

TERESA ANN BARBA. 

 Damages Sustained by Plaintiff William Dreisen, a Minor: 

14. The minor plaintiff, WILLIAM DREISEN, suffered the loss of his mother, 

TERESA ANN BARBA, who died on November 19, 2003, as a result of injuries she sustained in 

the accident and as a result of the alleged defective product(s) (the Ford and its component 

parts), as described hereinabove. 

15. As a result of the accident and the resultant death of his mother, TERESA ANN 

BARBA, the minor has a disputed claim for the wrongful death of his mother against defendant 

FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Defendant FORD MOTOR COMPANY denies liability for the 

injuries and/or damages suffered by the minor but, by way of compromise, has offered to pay a 

total settlement sum of Thirty-One Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Five Dollars ($31,475.00); 

in consideration of a full and final release and discharge of and from all claims, charges and 

demands of the minor plaintiff because the net settlement amount of Two Thousand Dollars 

($2,000.00) (after costs) realized by the minor in this matter is less than Five Thousand Dollars 

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Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement; and Order Approving Settlement 

and Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement

($5,000.00), and all other plaintiffs arising from the accident and the subsequent death of 

TERESA ANN BARBA (“decedent”). 

16. This stipulation was prepared by BARR & MUDFORD, LLP, representing 

MARILYN YOUNG (the mother of TERESA ANN BARBA); the adult plaintiffs, STEPHANIE 

LORAINE and JESSICA LYNN BARBA (the natural daughters of TERESA ANN BARBA); 

and the minor plaintiff, WILLIAM DREISEN (the natural son of TERESA ANN BARBA). 

17. LEO DREISEN, in his capacity as Guardian ad Litem of the minor plaintiff 

WILLIAM DREISEN (“the minor”), has made a careful and diligent inquiry and investigation to 

ascertain the facts and circumstances relating to the aforesaid accident, the resultant death of 

TERESA ANN BARBA and the responsibility therefor. Further, LEO DREISEN, as Guardian 

ad Litem of and behalf of the minor, fully understands that, if the settlement proposed herein is 

approved by this Court and is consummated, the minor, WILLIAM DREISEN, will be forever 

barred and prevented from seeking any further recovery or compensation of any kind from the 

settling defendant, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, even though said minor's damages might, in the 

future, prove to be greater than thought now to be 

18. LEO DREISEN, as the natural father and Guardian ad Litem of the minor, 

WILLIAM DREISEN, hereby recommends the settlement, as proposed herein on behalf of the 

minor, to the Court as being fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the minor. 

19. Under the terms of the settlement between the parties, as described herein, the 

parties respectfully request that this action be dismissed with prejudice upon the execution of this 

Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement by the parties and upon the signing of the Order 

Approving Settlement and Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement (which is a part 

hereof) by The Honorable David F. Levi, Judge of the United States District Court, Eastern 

District of California. 

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Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement; and Order Approving Settlement 

and Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement

WHEREFORE, plaintiffs pray that this Court make its order approving this 

Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement, and for such other and further order as the 

Court may deem reasonable and proper under the circumstances. 

IT IS SO STIPULATED: 

 BARR & MUDFORD, LLP 

Dated: May 12, 2005 By: ____________/S/_______________________ 

 DAVID CASE 

 Attorneys for Plaintiffs 

 SHOOK, HARDY & BACON, LLP 

Dated: May 31, 2005 By; _____________/S/_______________________ 

 RANDALL D. HAIMOVICI 

 Attorneys for Defendant 

 FORD MOTOR COMPANY 

Dated: June 8, 2005 By; 

______________/S/_______________________ 

 MARILYN YOUNG 

 Natural Mother of Decedent, 

 TERESA ANN BARBA 

Dated: June 8, 2005 By; 

_____________/S/________________________ 

 STEPHANIE LORAINE BARBA 

 Plaintiff & Natural Adult Daughter of Decedent, 

 TERESA ANN BARBA 

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Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement; and Order Approving Settlement 

and Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement

Dated: July 3, 2005 By; 

____________/S/_________________________ 

 JESSICA LYNN BARBA 

 Plaintiff & Natural Adult Daughter of 

Decedent, 

 TERESA ANN BARBA 

Dated: June 15, 2005 By; ____________/S/________________________ 

 LEO DREISEN 

 As Guardian ad Litem for Plaintiff 

 WILLIAM DREISEN 

 Minor Plaintiff & Natural Son of Decedent 

 TERESA ANN BARBA 

VERIFICATION AS TO PLAINTIFF

WILLIAM DREISEN, A MINOR

I, LEO DREISEN, am the natural father and Guardian ad Litem of the minor, 

WILLIAM DREISEN, who is a plaintiff in the above-entitled action. I have read the foregoing 

Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement and know the contents thereof, and I certify 

that the same is true of my own knowledge, except as to those matters which are therein stated 

upon my information and belief, and as to those matters, I believe it to be true. 

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Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement; and Order Approving Settlement 

and Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement

I declare under penalty of perjury, under the laws of the State of California, that the 

foregoing is true and correct. Executed this 15 day of June, 2005, at Redding, California. 

 ___________/S/________________________ 

 LEO DREISEN, as Guardian ad Litem for 

 Plaintiff WILLIAM DREISEN, a Minor 

Gq 

ORDER APPROVING SETTLEMENT AND STIPULATION OF DISMISSAL 

BECAUSE OF SETTLEMENT

GOOD CAUSE APPEARING THERFOR, 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Settlement proposed herein be and hereby is 

approved; 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Stipulation for Dismissal Because of Settlement

be and hereby is approved; 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the medical lien in the amount of $417,639.65 

asserted by the State of California, Department of Health Services; and the medical lien in the 

amount of $194,439.50 asserted by the State of Oregon, Department of Human Services, in 

connection with this matter (medical expenses incurred by TERRESA ANN BARBA prior to her 

death) are hereby waived; 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Barr & Mudford, LLP be paid the sum of 

$23,475.00 out of the total settlement amount as partial reimbursement for its costs incurred in 

this matter; 

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Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement; and Order Approving Settlement 

and Stipulation of Dismissal Because of Settlement

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this action be dismissed with prejudice; 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to the terms of this stipulation and the 

settlement described in this stipulation, MARILYN YOUNG and the adult plaintiffs, 

STEPHANIE LORAINE BARBA and JESSICA LYNN BARBA, each be paid the sum of 

$2,000.00 out of the net settlement (after costs); 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the net settlement sum (after costs) of $2,000.00 

designated for the minor, WILIAM DREISEN, be paid to LEO DREISEN, in his capacity of 

Guardian ad Litem of said minor, to be used at the discretion of said Guardian ad Litem for the 

benefit of the minor; and 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the total settlement amount of $31,475.00 be 

disbursed as set forth above in this stipulation. 

IT IS SO ORDERED: 

Dated: 10/5/2005 

_/s/ David F. Levi_________ 

DAVID F. LEVI 

United States District Judge

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