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“Spoliation” is the destruction or significant alteration of evidence, or the failure to preserve property for another’s use as evidence, in pending or future litigation. (Williams v. Russ (2008) 167 Cal.App.4th 1215, 1223.) Spoliation undermines the search for truth and fairness by creating a false picture of the evidence before the trier of fact by destroying authentic evidence. (Cedars-Sinai Med. Ctr. v. Super. Ct. (1998) 18 Cal.4th 1, 9.)
Spoliation includes the “significant alteration of evidence or the failure to preserve evidence for another's use in pending or future litigation.” (Williams v. Russ (2008) 167 Cal.App.4th 1215, 1223; Willard v. Caterpillar, Inc. (1995) 40 Cal.App.4th 892, 907.) In other words, failure to act to prevent the destruction of potential evidence is equivalent to intentional destruction of evidence. (Coprich v. Super. Ct. (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 1081, 1089–1090.)
There is no tort remedy available for negligent spoliation committed by a party to the action. (Coprich v. Superior Court (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 1081, 1089–1090.) While spoliation of evidence is not a tort that is actionable, it may be remedied by the imposition of a broad range of sanctions including monetary, issue, evidence and terminating sanctions. (Williams, supra, 167 Cal.App.4th at 1223.)
Civil discovery practices encourage lawyers to take charge of the client's evidence, including advising the client to preserve and maintain all relevant evidence, “not only because it is right for the client to do so but because the lawyers recognize that, even if the evidence is unfavorable, the negative inferences that would flow from its intentional destruction are likely to harm the client as much or more than the evidence itself.” (Cedars-Sinai, supra, 18 Cal.4th at pp. 12-13.)
To prevail on a motion seeking discovery sanctions for negligent spoliation, the moving party must show that the opposing party failed to preserve evidence and that the loss of this evidence has a substantial probability of damaging the moving party's litigation position. (Williams, supra, 167 Cal.App.4th at p. 1227.) Once the moving party establishes this basis, the burden shifts to the opposing party to show lack of prejudice from the loss of the evidence. (Id.)
“The statutory requirement that there must be a failure to obey an order compelling discovery before the court may impose a nonmonetary sanction for misuse of the discovery process provides some assurance that such a potentially severe sanction will be reserved for those circumstances where the party's discovery obligation is clear and the failure to comply with that obligation is clearly apparent.” (New Albertsons, Inc. v. Super. Ct. (2008) 168 Cal.App.4th 1423.)
In New Albertsons, the Court expressed concern “about meritless spoliation claims where the evidence was destroyed innocently in the ordinary course of business.” (New Albertsons, Inc. v. Super. Ct. (2008) 168 Cal.App.4th 1431.) The Court also acknowledged that the “uncertainty as to what the spoliated evidence would have shown created a risk that the spoliator could be found liable for damages even if the spoliated evidence would not have changed the outcome of the underlying litigation.” (Id. at 1429; see also Cedars-Sinai Med. Ctr., supra, 18 Cal. 4th at 14.) Based on these considerations, the New Albertsons court stated:
“Rather than decide the facts with respect to the intentional destruction of evidence and impose a nonmonetary sanction on a pretrial motion in circumstances not contemplated by the discovery statutes, we believe that in most cases of purported spoliation the facts should be decided and any appropriate inference should be made by the trier of fact after a full hearing at trial.” (Id. at 1431.)
Even where these facts are present, however, the trial court has broad discretion in imposing discovery sanctions. (Reedy v. Bussell (2007) 148 Cal.App.4th 1272, 1293.) In exercising this discretion, the court should consider both the conduct being sanctioned and its effect on the party seeking discovery. (Doppes v. Bentley Motors, Inc. (2009) 174 Cal.App.4th 967, 992.)
“Discovery sanctions are intended to remedy discovery abuse, not to punish the offending party.” (Williams v. Russ (2008) 167 Cal. App. 4th 1215, 1223.) The sanction must be appropriate to the dereliction and not a windfall to the propounding party. (Doppes v. Bentley Motors, Inc. (2009) 174 Cal.App.4th 967, 992.) In other words, discovery sanctions should not exceed that which is required to protect the interests of the propounding party and the integrity of the judicial system. (Reedy v. Bussell (2007) 148 Cal.App.4th 1272, 1293.)
Defendant further argues that spoliation and negligent spoliation of evidence are not causes of action. There is no tort remedy for intentional or negligent spoliation of evidence. (See Cedars-Sinai Medical Center v. Superior Court (1998) 18 Cal.4th 1, 17 [discussing intentional spoliation]; Temple Community Hospital v. Superior Court (1999) 20 Cal.4th 464, 471 [finding no tort remedy for intentional spoliation by third parties]; Lueter v.
OSKO KARAGOSSIAN VS DEREK POVAH, ET AL.
19STCV17399
Sep 11, 2019
Los Angeles County, CA
MOTION FOR SANCTIONS FOR THE MISUSE OF THE DISCOVERY PROCESS AND THE NEGLIGENT SPOLIATION OF EVIDENCE by plaintiff Carolyn R. Smith is off-calendar.
SMITH VS RIVIANA FOODS INC
37-2019-00036192-CU-PL-CTL
Mar 12, 2020
San Diego County, CA
Personal Injury/ Tort
Products Liability
In addition, courts have declined to permit parties to assert causes of action for intentional and negligent spoliation of evidence. (See Forbes v. County of San Bernardino (2002) 101 Cal.App.4th 48, 57 [there is no tort cause of action against a litigant or third party for intentional or negligent destruction of evidence].) Therefore, the Court sustains Defendants demurrer to Plaintiff's claims for intentional and negligent spoliation of evidence without leave to amend.
VARINA GORETTI CARVAJAL VS LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
23STCV08136
Dec 18, 2023
Los Angeles County, CA
NO CAUSE OF ACTION FOR NEGLIGENT SPOLIATION HERE. BELL SPORTS: SUSTAIN BELL SPORTS DEMURRER TO 18TH CAUSE OF ACTION INTENTIONAL MISREPRESENTATION WITH LEAVE TO AMEND TO ALLEGE WITH REQUIRED SPECIFICITY. (CW)
DARBY VS USA TRIATHLON
CGC00314970
Mar 21, 2002
San Francisco County, CA
Without a duty of care, negligent spoliation of evidence also cannot be recognized. NIED The court notes that negligent infliction of emotional distress is not itself an independent tort. (Schwarz v. Regents of the University of California (1990) 226 Cal.App.3d 149, 153; Klein v. Children's Hospital Medical Center (1996) 46 Cal.App.4th 889, 894; Burgess v.
HADLEY VS. BELLA KITCHEN BATH AND FLOORING
30-2019-01089552
Jul 23, 2020
Orange County, CA
The issue of whether intentional or negligent spoliation of evidence occurred is in dispute. The parties to address further discovery necessary for factual determinations. Any party who contests a tentative ruling must send an email to sbs@sbslawsf.com with a copy to all other parties by 4pm stating, without argument, the portion(s) of the tentative ruling that the party contests. The subject line of the email shall include the line number, case name and case number.
SIDNEY UNOBSKEY VS. SIMON MICHAEL ET AL
CGC15547916
Dec 12, 2017
Steven Stein
San Francisco County, CA
As an initial matter, the Court finds that there was no intentional or negligent spoliation of evidence by Plaintiff. The parties did not file any litigation during the relevant time period for which iSpring seeks the documents: the alleged “spoliation” occurred in 2015 and 2016, many months before either Plaintiff or Defendant brought their respective claims in 2017.
ADVANCED PURIFICATION ENGINEERING CORP. VS ISPRING WATER
KC069602
Oct 23, 2019
Los Angeles County, CA
There is no cause of action for negligent spoliation of evidence. (Lueter v. State of California (2002) 94 Cal.App.4th 1285, 1299.) Plaintiff has not brought forth any argument or evidence that Lisa Fisher intentionally deleted the footage. If Plaintiff intended the motion to be for evidentiary sanctions for the spoliation of evidence, Plaintiff has not submitted enough information to determine whether evidentiary sanctions are warranted based on a misuse of discovery. (See Cedars-Sinai Medical Center v.
VADEN VS METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM
37-2018-00025488-CU-PO-CTL
Dec 13, 2018
San Diego County, CA
Personal Injury/ Tort
other
[TENTATIVE] ORDER RE: DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE AN AMENDED ANSWER; MOTION GRANTED On April 17, 2017, Plaintiff Alejandro Jimenez (“Plaintiff”) filed this action against Defendant Premier Meat Company (“Defendant”) for negligence, strict products liability, breach of warranty, violation of the Labor Code, loss of consortium, intentional and negligent spoliation of evidence. On December 26, 2017, Hollymatic Corporation (“Hollymatic”) was named as Doe 1.
ALEJANDRO JIMENEZ VS PREMIER MEAT COMPANY
BC657416
Aug 13, 2018
Los Angeles County, CA
California does not allow a cause of action for either intentional or negligent spoliation of evidence. (See Cedars-Sinai Medical Center v. Superior Court (1998) 18 Cal.4th 1, 8-12 (child injured during birth alleged that defendant hospital intentionally destroyed evidence relevant to his malpractice action against the hospital); Farmers Ins. Exchange v.
NADINE SHAHAN VS. SAFEWAY INC.
MSC17-00746
Dec 06, 2021
Contra Costa County, CA
Nor is there a tort remedy for first party or third party negligent spoliation of evidence. Coprich v. Superior Court (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 1081, 1089–1090 Plaintiff also alleges that the conduct is unlawful under Penal Code § 135 which makes it a misdemeanor to willfully destroy or conceal evidence. Penal Code § 135. However, Plaintiff alleges a failure to preserve evidence, not willful destruction. Leave to amend is ordinarily given if there is a reasonable possibility that the defect can be cured.
MARIA LUZ ALDAZ HERNANDEZ VS WALGREEN, CO., ET AL.
19STCV09276
May 17, 2019
Los Angeles County, CA
Superior Court (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 1081 [“there is no tort remedy for first party or third party negligent spoliation of evidence”].) Plaintiff fully recognizes this fact, and instead requests that the Court reconsider this law and brings up various policy concerns regarding this claim. This Court is bound by the California Supreme Court and Appellate Court and cannot overturn those decisions. Accordingly, Defendant’s demurrer to the second cause of action is SUSTAINED without leave to amend.
HERBERT DOMINGUEZ VS JOSE ALVAREZ
BC692353
Sep 05, 2018
Los Angeles County, CA
Personal Injury/ Tort
Auto
Nor is a tort remedy available for negligent spoliation committed by a party to the action. (Coprich v. Superior Court (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 1081, 1089–1090.) There are adequate non-tort remedies for such misconduct, including: discovery sanctions, including exclusion of evidence on affected issue, striking pleadings and rendering default judgment, or contempt; Evidence Code section 413 presumption that destroyed evidence would be adverse to spoliator; CACI 204, and BAJI 2.03 to the same effect; etc.
ROXANE E SMITH ET AL VS CINDY YONG CHI
BC703634
Jul 11, 2019
Los Angeles County, CA
Likewise, “[a] tort cause of action for negligent spoliation of evidence cannot be maintained.” (Farmers Ins. Exchange v. Superior Court (2000) 79 Cal.App.4th 1400, 1401.)
BEHROOZ MOHAZZABI VS LORENA BARBA
20PSCP00194
Dec 02, 2020
Gloria White-Brown
Los Angeles County, CA
Other
Intellectual Property
On February 25, 2022, the court denied defendants motion for leave to file first amended answers to add affirmative defenses for intentional or negligent spoliation of evidence, without prejudice Trial is scheduled for June 22, 2022.
NICOLE BARNES VS WARNER BROTHERS ENTERTAINMENT, INC., ET AL.
20STCV05481
Apr 06, 2022
Los Angeles County, CA
.; (4) “NEGLIGENT SPOLIATION OF EVIDENCE” (which is not, in fact, a “cause of action” recognized under California law); and (5) NEGLIGENCE. Each of these claims incorporate allegations to the effect that defendant FSVT manipulated the primary evidence against Plaintiffs in the underlying “Odometer Tampering” lawsuit by “switching out” the “CAS module” in the subject vehicle.
SERGIO SHAPIRO, ET AL. VS FINANCIAL SERVICES VEHICLE TRUST
19STCV13439
Sep 16, 2020
Los Angeles County, CA
Personal Injury/ Tort
Fraud
Nor is a tort remedy available for negligent spoliation committed by a party to the action. (Coprich v. Superior Court (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 1081, 1089–1090.) There are adequate non-tort remedies for such misconduct, including: discovery sanctions, including exclusion of evidence on affected issue, striking pleadings and rendering default judgment, or contempt; Evidence Code section 413 presumption that destroyed evidence would be adverse to spoliator; CACI 204, and BAJI 2.03 to the same effect; etc.
TRISTAN TAYLOR ET AL VS JOSEPH'S CAFE INC ET AL
BC552895
Oct 12, 2016
Los Angeles County, CA
Defendants further assert that no tort cause of action exists for the intentional or negligent spoliation of evidence. [1] In opposition, Plaintiff argues that the standard for an unfair business practice under Business and Professions Code section 17200 is intentionally broad, and that Defendants conduct is not an isolated event, but rather common practice.
IRENE PEREZ VS WALMART INC., ET AL.
21STCV14361
Oct 27, 2021
Los Angeles County, CA
Deletion of and/or failure to ensure preservation of the footage is willful or at least negligent spoliation, justifying evidentiary sanctions. At trial, the court will give a jury instruction pursuant to Cal. Evid. Code §413/CACI 204, that defendants intentionally concealed or destroyed and/or negligently failed to preserve the security footage.
THEODORE DOZIER VS INTERSCOPE GEFFEN A&M RECORDS, ET AL.
18STCV02772
Aug 21, 2020
Los Angeles County, CA
Rather, courts have held there is no cause of action for negligent spoliation of evidence against either public or private defendants. (See Forbes v. County of San Bernardino (2002) 101 Cal.App.4th 48, 56-57.)
MICHAEL LAWSON VS. JUDICIAL COUNCIL
MSRA20-0002
Sep 03, 2020
Contra Costa County, CA
App. 4th 1439, 1458-1460 (holding that negligent spoliation also cannot constitute a separate cause of action). In describing its reasoning in making such a finding, the Court in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center v. Superior Court stated that the decision was based in part on the strong enforcement sections in Evid. Code § 413 and Code of Civ. Proc. § 2023, which allowed Courts to fashion appropriate remedies regarding spoliation during the course of litigation. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center v.
MARINA MORALES VS STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ET AL
MC022261
Jan 19, 2017
Los Angeles County, CA
Personal Injury/ Tort
Auto
Defendant further asserts that no tort cause of action exists for the intentional or negligent spoliation of evidence. In opposition, Plaintiff argues that the standard for an unfair business practice under Business and Professions Code section 17200 is intentionally broad, and that Defendants conduct is not an isolated event, but rather common practice.
ALBERTO CORTEZ VS WALMART INC., ET AL.
22STCV03121
Apr 07, 2022
Los Angeles County, CA
Fourth Cause of Action for Intentional and Negligent Spoliation of Evidence There is no case of action for intentional spoliation of evidence in California. See Cedars-Sinai Medical Center v. Superior Court (1998) 18 Cal.4th 1, 17. Plaintiff fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action and the cause of action is uncertain. The cause of action is uncertain for many of the same reasons previously noted above.
DILLARD J MCNELEY VS MCDONALD'S AN CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS, AN INDIVIDUAL CO.
19STCV31331
Jun 23, 2020
Los Angeles County, CA
Personal Injury/ Tort
other
The tort of negligent spoliation, whether of the first-party or third-party variety, is no longer viable. ( Lueter v. State of California , supra, 94 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1289, 12931301.)
MICHAEL MADRIGAL VS WALMART INC., ET AL.
21STCV31589
Nov 09, 2021
Los Angeles County, CA
Nor is a tort remedy available for negligent spoliation committed by a party to the action. ( Coprich v. Superior Court (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 1081, 1089–1090.) A party may seek non-tort remedies for spoliation, including discovery sanctions, and a ruling pursuant to Evidence Code section 413 of a presumption that destroyed evidence would be adverse to spoliator. ( Cedars-Sinai Med. Ctr. , supra , 18 Cal.4th at p. 11.)
TALIA WISE VS SIX FLAGS ET AL
BC679307
Feb 02, 2021
Los Angeles County, CA
Nor is a tort remedy available for negligent spoliation committed by a party to the action. ( Coprich v. Superior Court (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 1081, 10891090.) A party may seek non-tort remedies for spoliation, including discovery sanctions, and a ruling pursuant to Evidence Code section 413 of a presumption that destroyed evidence would be adverse to spoliator. ( Cedars-Sinai Med. Ctr. , supra , 18 Cal.4th at p. 11.)
KRYSTAL SHIN VS CITY OF LOS ANGELES, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
22STCV23442
Aug 08, 2023
Los Angeles County, CA
Fourth Cause of Action: Spoliation There is no tort remedy for intentional or negligent spoliation of evidence. (See also Cedars-Sinai v. Superior Court (1998) 18 Cal.4th 1, 17; Coprich v. Superior Court (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 1081, 1084). Plaintiff cites to Hernandez v. Garcetti (1998) 68 Cal.App.4th 675, 680 which is inapposite. The Hernandez court explicitly said that it “assumes, without deciding” whether a third-party spoliation claim exists.
NATASHA ROBINSON VS SHAWN PARCELLS, ET AL.
20STCV46812
Jul 06, 2021
Los Angeles County, CA
Personal Injury/ Tort
other
Even if the law were determined to allow for inferences against the party responsible for intentional spoliation, but not for negligent spoliation, the court would be unable to determine this issue in favor of Defendant now as a matter of law. Defendant’s only “evidence” that the loss of the chair was inadvertent appears in a discovery response it provided to Plaintiff, conclusory in nature, and devoid of foundational evidence to explain any of the circumstances of the loss.
FALLGREN V. JELLY BELLY CANDY COMPANY
FCS050953
Jun 12, 2019
Solano County, CA
App. 4th 1081, 1089 n. 4 (2000) [evidentiary sanctions not available to remedy negligent spoliation of evidence].) Even if there were such evidence, Plaintiff has failed to demonstrate that the broken chair would have provided helpful evidence if it had been preserved.
BOBBY GEANI STELLS VS CALIFORNIA STATE EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMEN
BC707164
Nov 06, 2020
Los Angeles County, CA
Real Property
other
Nor is a tort remedy available for negligent spoliation committed by a party to the action. ( Coprich v. Superior Court (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 1081, 10891090.) A party may seek non-tort remedies for spoliation, including discovery sanctions, and a ruling pursuant to Evidence Code section 413 of a presumption that destroyed evidence would be adverse to spoliator. ( Cedars-Sinai Med. Ctr. v. Superior Court , supra , 18 Cal.4th at p. 11.)
MATTHEW S. GARZA VS CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AT LLLOYD'S OF LONDON SUBSCRIBING TO THE SUBJECT POLICY, ET AL.
22STCV11454
Feb 05, 2024
Los Angeles County, CA
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