Court Opinion

ID: 2781232
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-02-23 19:02:39.354022+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:28:19.164478
License: Public Domain

Filed 2/23/15 Jimenez v. Cal. Hwy. Patrol CA4/1
                      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

                    COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                  DIVISION ONE

                                           STATE OF CALIFORNIA

GABRIEL JIMENEZ, a Minor, etc., et al.,                             D064467

         Plaintiffs and Appellants,

         v.                                                         (Super. Ct. No.
                                                                     37-2009-00051612-CU-PO-NC)
CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL et al.,

         Defendants and Respondents.

         APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Earl H.

Maas, III. Judge. Affirmed.

         Sayre & Levitt, Adam L. Salamoff, Federico C. Sayre; Treyzon & Associates and

Federico C. Sayre for Plaintiffs and Appellants.

         Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Kristen G. Hogue, Senior Assistant Attorney

General, Richard E. Wolfe and David F. Taglienti, Deputy Attorneys General, for

Defendants and Respondents.
                                             I.

                                    INTRODUCTION

       Gabriel Jimenez (Gabriel), a minor, was struck by a motor vehicle and severely

injured as he was standing on the side of the highway behind a disabled vehicle in which

he had been travelling. Moments before the accident, California Highway Patrol Officer

J. V. Shelter made contact with Gabriel and told Gabriel that he was going to check on

another vehicle that was parked on the shoulder approximately 15 feet in front of

Gabriel's vehicle, and that he would be right back.

       Gabriel, his mother Maria, and sister Lilia (collectively appellants), sued Officer

Shelter and the California Highway Patrol (respondents). In their first amended

complaint, each appellant alleged a separate cause of action for negligence against

respondents.1 Respondents moved for summary judgment on the ground that Officer

Shelter did not owe appellants a legal duty of care. In the alternative, respondents sought

summary judgment on the ground that they were immune from liability pursuant to

Government Code sections 820.2, 820.25 and 815.2, subdivision (b).2

1      Maria and Lilia's claims were styled as claims for negligent infliction of emotional
distress.

2      Unless otherwise specified, all subsequent statutory references are to the
Government Code.
       Where applicable, section 820.25, in conjunction with section 820.2, renders a
peace officer immune for injuries resulting from the officer's act in rendering assistance
to motorists or leaving the scene after rending assistance. The statute was enacted by the
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       The trial court granted the motion for summary judgment on both grounds. 3

Specifically, the trial court ruled that appellants failed to establish that Officer Shelter

owed appellants a legal duty of care, and also ruled that respondents were statutorily

immune from liability.

       In their opening brief, appellants address only the trial court's ruling that Officer

Shelter owed appellants no legal duty of care, and fail to address the trial court's

conclusion that respondents were entitled to summary judgment on the ground that they

are statutorily immune from liability. By failing to raise any argument with respect to

one of the two alternative grounds on which the trial court granted summary judgment,

appellants are foreclosed from obtaining reversal of the trial court's judgment. (See e.g.,

Christoff v. Union Pacific Railroad Co. (2005) 134 Cal. App. 4th 118, 125-126 (Christoff)

[where appellant fails to present any argument on issue providing independent ground for

summary judgment, appellate court may affirm summary judgment on this basis alone].)

Accordingly, we affirm the summary judgment.

Legislature to "provide officers with flexibility in assisting stranded motorists." (Minch v.
Department of California Highway Patrol (2006) 140 Cal. App. 4th 895, 904.)
        Section 815.2 provides generally that a public entity is not liable for an injury
resulting from an act or omission of its employee if the employee himself is immune
from liability.

3       Appellants failed to include the trial court's summary judgment order in the record
on appeal. While this appeal was pending, we augmented the record to include the trial
court's summary judgment order. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.155(a)(1)(A); see, e.g.,
McCarthy v. Mobile Cranes, Inc. (1962) 199 Cal. App. 2d 500, 501–503 [ordering clerk's
file sent up when appellant provided inadequate record].)
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                                              II.

                   FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A.      The accident4

        On November 30, 2007, Lilia was driving Maria, Gabriel, and Lilia's two-year-old

daughter south on Interstate 15. Appellants' car began to shake and Lilia pulled over onto

an undeveloped dirt area next to the highway. Appellants noticed another vehicle (a Ford

Focus) stopped on the shoulder approximately two car lengths ahead of them. Gabriel

and Maria got out of the car, and Gabriel noticed that the right rear tire of their car was

partially flat.

        At approximately the same time, Officer Shelter, who was driving in a patrol car,

noticed the two vehicles. As Officer Shelter got closer, he noticed that the Focus was

damaged and appeared to have been involved in an accident. Officer Shelter positioned

his vehicle adjacent to appellants' vehicle, such that the right rear door of the patrol car

was directly across from appellants' left front bumper.

        Officer Shelter lowered his right passenger window and asked if everyone was

okay. Gabriel walked over to the patrol car and told Officer Shelter that they were okay.

Officer Shelter asked if they had been in an accident with the Focus. Gabriel responded,

"No." Officer Shelter then asked Gabriel what he was going to do. Gabriel responded

that he was uncertain because he did not have any "lights." Officer Shelter told Gabriel

4      Because appellants' appeal pertains to an order granting summary judgment in
favor of respondents, we state the evidence in the light most favorable to appellants. (See
Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal. 4th 826, 844–845.)
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that he was going to check on the Focus, and that he would be right back. Officer Shelter

also stated that when he returned, he would position his patrol car behind appellants' car

and shine his headlights on the back of the car so that Gabriel could "do the work."

Before leaving, Officer Shelter told Gabriel that he would protect appellants.

       Gabriel replied that he would "look for tools." As Officer Shelter pulled forward

to check on the Focus, Gabriel went to the trunk of appellants' car to get some tools.

Seconds later, a vehicle spun out of control and slid into the rear of appellants' car,

pinning Gabriel between the cars and severely injuring him.

B.     The operative first amended complaint

       In March 2009, appellants filed a first amended complaint against respondents.

Gabriel brought a negligence claim against respondents in which he alleged that

respondents owed him a duty of care while "patrolling state highways and investigating

stopped vehicles on the shoulder of the highways." Gabriel also alleged that Officer

Shelter had created a "special relationship" by contacting Gabriel, that Officer Shelter had

breached his duty to protect Gabriel just prior to the accident, and that this breach had

caused Gabriel to suffer serious personal injuries. Maria and Lilia each brought claims of

negligent infliction of emotional distress based on Officer Shelter's allegedly negligent

conduct that caused Gabriel to suffer severe and permanent injuries while Maria and Lilia

were present and aware that Gabriel was being injured.

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C.     Respondents' motion for summary judgment

       In March 2013, respondents filed a motion for summary judgment. In their

motion, respondents argued that Gabriel's negligence claim failed as a matter of law

because no special relationship existed between Gabriel and Officer Shelter that would

give rise to a duty of care under controlling law. Respondents argued that Maria and

Lilia's claims failed because any emotional distress that they suffered was not caused by

having observed a "negligently inflicted" injury to Gabriel. Respondents also claimed

that they were statutorily immune from appellants' claims pursuant to sections 820.25,

and 820.2 and 815.2, subdivision (b).

D.     Appellants' opposition

       Appellants filed an opposition in which they argued that a special relationship

existed between Gabriel and Officer Shelter that gave rise to a duty of care on the part of

Officer Shelter. Appellants further argued that Officer Shelter breached that duty of care

by failing to follow standard police procedures in assisting a disabled motorist. In

addition, appellants argued that Officer Shelter was subject to a heightened duty of care

because Gabriel was a minor. Appellants further argued that respondents were not

entitled to judgment as a matter of law on Maria and Lilia's negligent infliction of

emotional distress claims in light of Officer Shelter's negligent conduct with respect to

Gabriel. Finally, appellants argued, "The existence of a legal duty created by the 'special

relationship' precludes [respondents'] defense of immunity from liability for the subject

accident."

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E.       The trial court's ruling granting summary judgment and appellants' appeal

         After further briefing,5 the trial court held a hearing, and granted the motion.6 In

its minute order granting summary judgment, the trial court ruled that appellants failed to

establish that Officer Shelter owed appellants a legal duty of care. The court also ruled

that respondents are statutorily immune from liability. In its order granting summary

judgment, the court stated in part:

            "[Appellants] have failed to establish the existence of a special
            relationship between the officer and [appellants] such as would give
            rise to a legal duty of care. . . . [¶] Further [respondents] are
            immune from liability pursuant to Government Code [sections]
            820.25 and 815.2[, subdivision] (b)."

         Shortly thereafter, the trial court entered judgment in favor of respondents.

         Appellants timely appealed from the judgment.

                                               III.

                                         DISCUSSION

      Appellants' failure to raise any argument with respect to one of the two alternative
    grounds on which the trial court granted summary judgment precludes appellants from
                        obtaining reversal of the trial court's judgment

         Appellants contend that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment in

favor of respondents. However, appellants present no argument with respect to the trial

court's conclusion that respondents were entitled to summary judgment on the ground

5     In a reply brief, respondents noted that, in their opposition, appellants failed to
address, in any fashion, section 820.25, which respondents noted was the "predominant
immunity statute at play . . . ."

6        There is no transcript of the hearing in the record.
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that they are statutorily immune from liability.7 Under these circumstances, appellants

are precluded from obtaining reversal of the judgment.

A.     Relevant summary judgment law

       A moving party is entitled to summary judgment when the party establishes that it

is entitled to the entry of judgment as a matter of law. (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd.

(c).) A defendant may make this showing by demonstrating that the defendant has a

complete defense to each cause of action. (Towns v. Davidson (2007) 147 Cal. App. 4th
461, 466.)

       This court reviews an order granting a motion for summary judgment de novo.

(See, e.g., Jones v. Wachovia Bank (2014) 230 Cal. App. 4th 935, 945.)

B.     Relevant immunity law

       Respondents moved for summary judgment on the ground that Officer Shelter was

immune from liability based on sections 820.25 and 820.2.

       Section 820.25, subdivision (a) provides in relevant part:

             "(a) For purposes of Section 820.2, the decision of a peace
             officer . . . or a state or local law enforcement official, to render
             assistance to a motorist who has not been involved in an accident or
             to leave the scene after rendering assistance, upon learning of a
             reasonably apparent emergency requiring his immediate attention
             elsewhere or upon instructions from a superior to assume duties
             elsewhere, shall be deemed an exercise of discretion."

7       Appellants' brief addresses only the trial court's conclusion that respondents were
entitled to summary judgment on the ground that Officer Shelter did not owe appellants a
legal duty of care.
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        Section 820.2, provides: "Except as otherwise provided by statute, a public

employee is not liable for an injury resulting from his act or omission where the act or

omission was the result of the exercise of the discretion vested in him, whether or not

such discretion be abused."

        Respondents contended that because Officer Shelter was immune from liability,

his employer, the California Highway Patrol, was also immune from liability under

section 815.2, subdivision (b). Section 815.2, subdivision (b) provides, "Except as

otherwise provided by statute, a public entity is not liable for an injury resulting from an

act or omission of an employee of the public entity where the employee is immune from

liability."

C.      The presumption of correctness

        "As with any civil appeal, we must presume the judgment is correct, indulge every

intendment and presumption in favor of its correctness, and start with the presumption

that the record contains evidence sufficient to support the judgment." (Steele v. Youthful

Offender Parole Bd. (2008) 162 Cal. App. 4th 1241, 1251.)

        " 'Issues do not have a life of their own: If they are not raised or supported by

argument or citation to authority, [they are] . . . waived.' [Citation.] It is not our place to

construct theories or arguments to undermine the judgment and defeat the presumption of

correctness. When an appellant fails to raise a point, or asserts it but fails to support it

with reasoned argument and citations to authority, we treat the point as waived.' "

(Benach v. County of Los Angeles (2007) 149 Cal. App. 4th 836, 852.)

                                               9
       This same burden applies even to appellate claims that are subject to the de novo

standard of review, such as an order granting summary judgment. " 'On review of a

summary judgment, the appellant has the burden of showing error, even if he did not bear

the burden in the trial court. [Citation.] . . . "[D]e novo review does not obligate us to

cull the record for the benefit of the appellant in order to attempt to uncover the requisite

triable issues. As with an appeal from any judgment, it is the appellant's responsibility to

affirmatively demonstrate error and, therefore, to point out the triable issues the appellant

claims are present by citation to the record and any supporting authority. In other words,

review is limited to issues which have been adequately raised and briefed." ' " (Bains v.

Moores (2009) 172 Cal. App. 4th 445, 455.)

       Further, where an appellant seeking reversal of a summary judgment fails to

present any argument on an issue that provides an independent ground for summary

judgment, the appellate court may presume the judgment is correct and may affirm

summary judgment on this basis alone. (See, e.g., Christoff, supra, 134 Cal.App.4th at

pp. 125-126.) In Christoff, a defendant moved for summary judgment on the ground that

there was no evidence that it had caused plaintiff's injuries. (Id. at p. 125.) The trial

court determined that defendant's conduct was not a legal cause of plaintiff's injuries.

(Ibid.) On appeal, plaintiff did not present any argument on the issue of causation.

(Ibid.) The Christoff court concluded that the plaintiff had forfeited any challenge to the

summary judgment insofar as it was based on lack of causation. (Ibid.) The Court of

Appeal further reasoned that because the trial court's ruling on causation "disposes of the

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entire complaint," the appellant's failure to challenge this ruling "suffices to affirm

summary judgment in favor of defendant." (Id. at p. 126.)

D.     Application

       In their opening brief, appellants fail to state that respondents moved for summary

judgment on the ground that they were statutorily immune from appellants' claim, fail to

acknowledge that the trial court granted the motion on this additional ground, and fail to

present any argument seeking reversal of the court's order on this ground.8 Further, after

respondents noted in their brief that appellants had failed to address the immunity ground

in their opening brief and argued that this omission was "fatal," appellants did not file a

reply brief.

       We are not obligated to cull the record, research relevant authority, and, unassisted

by appellants, develop an argument to challenge the trial court's conclusion that

respondents are immune from suit. Having failed to discuss the trial court's ruling

granting respondents' motion for summary judgment on the ground that respondents are

immune from suit, appellants have forfeited any claim that the trial court erred in this

respect. (Christoff, supra, 134 Cal.App.4th at p. 125.) Further, because the trial court's

ruling that respondents are statutorily immune provides a complete defense to appellants'

complaint, appellants' failure to challenge this ruling on appeal prevents them from

obtaining reversal of the summary judgment. (See id. at p. 126.)

8      As noted previously (see fn. 3, ante), appellants failed to include the trial court's
order granting summary judgment in the record.
                                             11
      Accordingly, we conclude that appellants have failed to establish that the trial

court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of respondents.

                                           IV.

                                     DISPOSITION

      The judgment is affirmed. Appellants are to bear costs on appeal.

                                                                               AARON, J.

WE CONCUR:

             McCONNELL, P. J.

                  O'ROURKE, J.

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