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  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
						
                                

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POOLE & SHAFFERY, LLP 445 SOUTH FIGUBROA STREET, SUITE 2520 FACSIMILE (213) 439.0183 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071 TELEPHONE (213) 439.8390 ww SN mm lm POOLE “ SHAFFERY, LLP les W. Jenkins (Bar No. 134338) Luiza Manuelian Bar No. 2331 4) ELECTRONICALLY ‘outh Figueroa treet, uite FILED Los Angeles, California 90071 Superior Court of California, (213) 439-5390 County of San Francisco (213) 439-0183 Facsimile . JAN 19 2011 Attorneys for Defendant, H&C Investment Associates, Inc. oclerk of the Court Deputy Clerk SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO ROBERT ROSS and JEAN ROSS Case No. CGC-10-275731 Plaintiff, ANSWER OF DEFENDANT H&C INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. TO vs. PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT C.C. MOORE & CO., ENGINEERS; Defendants as Reflected on Exhibit 1 attached to the Summary Complaint herein, and DOES 1-8500, et al. [ASBESTOS - PERSONAL INJURY] Defendants. eee eee Defendant, H&C INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. (“DEFENDANT”), hereby responds to the Complaint for Personal Injury (“Complaint”) of Plaintiffs, ROBERT ROSS and JEAN ROSS (“PLAINTIFFS”), as follows: GENERAL DENIAL Pursuant to the California Code of Civil Procedure §431.30, DEFENDANT generally denies each and every material allegation contained in the Complaint, and further denies that PLAINTIFFS have been damaged in any amount by DEFENDANT, or are entitled to any relief from DEFENDANT. dif lit -l- F Clients 2 19iROSS v. CC MOORE (H&AC)PLEADINGS \Answer.wpd ANSWER OF DEFENDANT H&C INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT i | i / | | | / |POOLE & SHAFFERY, LLP 2 & 8 & an ES. > oO aga eEYS 2238 xox BE ae maga <28e oun Bout Zong asa Sane Shas RQEO Zn nus bak 82 ga 9 3 3 yD eka neat tah hahah > 6 OB 3 A HW & |] MM SS Oe AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES Further, DEFENDANT alleges the following affirmative defenses to each alleged cause of action, and hereby reserves its right to amend this Answer to allege additional affirmative defenses that may later be ascertained during discovery: FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced in that neither the Complaint, nor any purported cause of action alleged therein, states facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action against DEFENDANT under any legal theory. SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced in that the Complaint, and cach purported cause of action, is uncertain and ambiguous as it relates to DEFENDANT. THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced in that the Complaint, and each purported cause of action fails to state a cognizable claim for the recovery of damages against DEFENDANT, including, but not limited to, recovery of punitive damages and prejudgement interest. FO Vv) PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced in that the Complaint, and/or each purported cause of action against DEFENDANT, is barred by the applicable statutes of limitations, including but not limited to California Code of Civil Procedure §§ 335.1, 377.1, 338(a), 338(d), 339(1), 340.2, 361, 583.210 and 583.310. FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced in that they have failed to join all indispensable parties, and, therefore complete relief cannot be afforded to the parties in this action and will result in prejudice in any future litigation. it it 2. PACHents22MROSS v. CC MOORE (H&C)PLEADINGS Answer wpd ANSWER OF DEFENDANT H&C INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINTPOOLE & SHAPPERY, LLP 445 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET, SUITE 2520 FACSIMILE (213) 439-0183 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071 TELEPHONE (213) 439-5390 Oo oS DA DT BR BD Nm BN eka keh oe TA a & YW NM eB SS SF Oe YE DH kh WD NN ™ SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE _ PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred as to any non-economic damages except those allocated te DEFENDANT in direct proportion to its percentage of fault, if any. SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent that PLAINTIFF has released, settled or entered into an accord and satisfaction or otherwise compromised their claims, and, therefore said claims are barred by operation of law, or in the alternative, PLAINTIFF has accepted payment for partial settlement, and therefore DEFENDANT is entitled to a set-off. EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced in that they have failed to take reasonable actions to avoid or mitigate their alleged damages, if any. NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished, or reduced by the doctrine of laches in that PLAINTIFFS waited an unreasonable period of time to file this action and that this prejudicial delay has worked to the detriment of DEFENDANT. TENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFES’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished, or reduced by virtue of PLAINTIFF, and/or his agents, unlawful, careless, negligent, and other wrongful conduct, such that PLAINTIFF is not entitled to any of the relief sought against DEFENDANT, under the equitable doctrine of unclean hands. ELEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished, or reduced in that PLAINTIFF, and/or their agents, expressly or impliedly waived any rights they may have had by their acts, conduct, and/or omissions. Ut Mi Uf 3 FiiCliente2\2tMROSS v. CC MOORE (H&C)\PLEADINGS Answer. wpd ANSWER OF DEFENDANT H&C INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT i i i i : | i i i | : i iPOOLE & SHAPFERY, LLP 445 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET, SUITE 2520 FACSIMILE (213) 439-0183 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071 TELEPHONE (213) 439-5390 ec Oe WR mR wm HN om peek hak kak ak tak kta we CS BA AR eh OW Ne OS 20 TWELFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished, or reduced to the extent PLAINTIFF consented to the acts and/or omissions of DEFENDANT as alleged in the Complaint. THIRTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced by the doctrine of estoppel. FOURTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ claims against DEFENDANT are barred in whole or in part, by their own contributory and/or comparative fault, because the damages, if any, were legally caused and are the result, in whole or part, of their own carelessness, recklessness, negligent acts and/or omissions or failure to act reasonably. Accordingly, any recovery by PLAINTIFFS against DEFENDANT is barred, or in the alternative, is comparatively reduced by PLAINTIFFS’ percentage of fault. FFIRMATIY) F! PLAINTIFFS’ claims against DEFENDANT are barred in whole or in part on the grounds that PLAINTIFF or PLAINTIFF’S employers knew, or in the exercise of ordinary care should have known the risk of the injuries or damages alleged in the Complaint, if any, and nevertheless did freely and voluntarily assume said risk, and this undertaking proximately caused and contributed to the losses, injuries or damages, if any alleged by PLAINTIFF. SIXTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFF is barred from recovery against DEFENDANT in that if PLAINTIFFS suffered any loss or damage, such loss or damage was the direct and proximate cause of the misuse of the product or equipment at issue by PLAINTIFFS or persons other than DEFENDANT, and said misuse was unreasonable and not reasonably foreseeable at the time the product(s) or equipment was sold. up ut ut 4. PACHentsz2 AROSE v. CC MOORE (H&CIPLEADINGS\Answer. wed ANSWER OF DEFENDANT H&C INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT i : i | | ‘ : i |POOLE & SHAFFERY, LLP 445 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET, SUITE 2520 FACSIMILE (213) 439.0183 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071, TELEPHONE (213) 439-5390 SO GC “ER UR Ge Bm teeta tak amt tek fk pk eC MN Mh & & NM - DS SP GS YA HN & | NM Mm & _ SEVENTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent that the dangers, if any, associated with the product(s) or equipment referenced in the Complaint were not unreasonable and/or constituted commonly known dangers. EIGHTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFF is barred from recovery in that if they sustained any loss or damage, such loss or damage was not directly or proximately caused by the acts or omissions of DEFENDANT. NINETEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent that PLAINTIFF ever worked with, near or around any product(s) and/or equipment supplied by DEFENDANT and therefore were not harmed by such product(s) and/or equipment. TWENTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced in that other person(s) and/or entity(ies), whose true names and/or capacities are unknown to DEFENDANT, are in some manner responsible for or at fault in proximately causing the damage allegedly sustained by PLAINTIFES and/or PLAINTIFF, and therefore the damages, if any, should be apportioned in proportion te the relative fault, if any, of each other person or entity. TWENTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced since PLAINTIFF, as well as other individuals and/or entities, including their own, or PLAINTIFFS’ employer, whether or not parties to this action, were knowledgeable, informed, and sophisticated concerning the use of the product(s) or equipment purchased from DEFENDANT, if any, and were fully informed, knowledgeable, and sophisticated with respect to any alleged health risks posed by said product(s) or equipment, if any. TWENTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent that their alleged damages were caused by unforeseeable acts or omissions and DEFENDANT exercised due care with respect to foreseeable acts and omissions. 5. PiiClients2\2 AROS v. CC MOORE (H&C)PLEADINGS\VAnswer wpd ANSWER OF DEFENDANT H&C INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINTPOOLE & SHAFFERY, LLP 2 8 & & ox cs 2 Ze39 we8s BESs ROSS ao > BERS Wat oe 2a88 gw Rank a geeo Pane Saag EORO ans Bako 63 oF % = > wo ef SAO Hh me RN Mm pach taht nk kkk fk ee Se KO eR Rh WD Me DS TWENTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent the damages alleged in the Complaint were unavoidable. TWENTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent the loss or injury suffered by PLAINTIFFS or PLAINTIFF, if any, was caused by an idiosyncratic condition for which DEFENDANT could not have taken any steps to avoid. TWENTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent their damages were proximately caused an act of God. TWENTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent that the dangers, if any, associated with the product(s) and/or equipment referenced in the Complaint constitute an unavoidably unsafe product or piece of equipment. TWENTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS?’ recovery is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent that PLAINTIFF is attempting to assert that DEFENDANT is liable as an agent, servant, employee and/or joint venturer, or as successor, successor in business, successor in product line or a portion thereof, assign, predecessor, predecessor in business, predecessor in product line or a portion thereof, parent, alter ego, subsidiary, whole or partial owner, wholly or partially owned entity, or member of any group engaged in funding, researching, processing, constructing, analyzing, merchandising, supplying, studying, testing, designing, labeling, manufacturing, distributing, marketing, warning, warranting, rebranding, leasing, buying, selling, inspecting, or servicing of a certain substance, the generic name of which is asbestos and/or products containing asbestos. TWENTY-EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFF is barred from recovery against DEFENDANT by the exclusive remedy provisions under the California Workers’ Compensation Act, including but not limited to Labor Code § 3600, et seq. 6. PACHents2IMROSS vi cc MOORE (H&CHPLEADINGS Answer. wpd ANSWER OF DEFENDANT H&C INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT. i i | i i 4 i i i 5 i i ; |POOLE & SHAFFERY, LLP 445 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET, SUITE 2520 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071 TELEPHONE (213) 439-5390 FACSIMILE (213) 439-0183 than nk kak tm kh tk CS Oe WA HN RR HD NM me S&S oe 6 WA HW & WB NM TWENTY-NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent the PLAINTIFF received (or the estate will receive) Workers’ Compensation payments for the injuries alleged in the Compliant. To the extent any such payments have been made, DEFENDANT is entitled to an offset in the amount of all such benefits against any damages awarded to PLAINTIFF. THIRTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced in that the product(s) or equipment, if any, utilized by the PLAINTIFFS or PLAINTIFF were altered or changed from the original condition of said product(s) or equipment at the time it left the possession and control of DEFENDANT. THIRTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS” recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent that there is no possibility of an alternate safer design for the product(s) or equipment referenced in the Complaint, and that the risk of danger, if any, is inherent in said product(s) or equipment. THIRTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE DEFENDANT denies the existence of the dangerous condition as set forth in the Complaint. If, however, such dangerous condition did, in fact, exist, DEFENDANT had no knowledge or adequate knowledge of it, having exercised reasonable care in inspecting its product(s) or equipment. THIRTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE DEFENDANT alleges that the alleged condition of the product set forth in the Complaint did not constitute substantial risk of injury; but if any risk of injury did exist, it constituted merely a minor, frivial or insignificant risk which did not create a dangerous condition in its product(s) or equipment, and therefore DEFENDANT is not liable for PLAINTIFFS’ alleged damages. ut Ut ~To | | : i FiiClients22 1 9ROSS v. CC MOORE (H&C\PLEADINGS Answer. wpd ANSWER OF DEFENDANT H&C INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINTPOOLE @ SHAPFERY, LLP 445 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET, SUITE 2520 FACSIMILE (213) 439.0183 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071 TELEPHONE (213) 439.8390 Oo 6S BW DR Hm Nm Nn N NON NH N N NM OR Me kaha Sah fam ek al 2 RR HR EES SS SSA RHA EASE S THIRTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery is barred diminished or reduced to the extent that PLAINTIFF and/or PLAINTIFFS’ employer(s) were provided with and were aware of adequate warnings issued by DEFENDANT and others for product(s) and/or equipment supplied to them. Further, PLAINTIFF, and/or his employer(s) who received product(s) and/or equipment alleged to have been supplied by DEFENDANT, were aware of the proper handling, care and risk of said products or materials, and failed to heed said warnings and/or to advise his/their employees of the same. The acts and omissions of PLAINTIFF, his employer(s), and others in this regard proximately caused PLAINTIFFS? injuries, if any. THIRTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE DEFENDANT was a bulk manufacturer and/or supplier of the materials, products and equipment that may have been supplied to PLAINTIFF and/or PLAINTIFFS’ employers and had no duty to warn employees of such third parties, including PLAINTIFF, about potential dangers, if any, of the product or products manufactured or supplied by third parties, or the processes used by PLAINTIFF, and/or PLAINTIFFS’ employer. Further, DEFENDANT as a bulk manufacturer and/or supplier, could neither foresee every conceivable downstream use of said materials, products and equipment, nor control the subsequent manufacturer, packaging, labeling, use, application, and/or removal of said materials, products, and/or equipment, nor control the means to communicate warnings to an ultimate user. To the extent that DEFENDANT even had a duty to provide warnings to PLAINTIFF, his employer(s), or others, it did so by providing adequate warnings to others who subsequently manufactured, packaged, labeled, used and/or removed the materials, product(s) and/or equipment that allegedly injured PLAINTIFF. THIRTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent that neither they, nor PLAINTIFFS’ employers, justifiably relied on any alleged misrepresentation of DEFENDANT, nor did DEFENDANT influence subsequent purchase of, or use of product(s) and/or equipment referred to in the Complaint. Ht -8- PiClients22HAROSS v. CC MOGRE (H&CPLEADINGS Answer wpd ANSWER OF DEFENDANT H&C INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINTPOOLE & SHAFFERY, LLP 445 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET, SUITE 2520 FACSIMILE (213) 439.0183 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071 TELEPHONE (213) 439-5390 Smt THIRTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced on the grounds that all conduct and activities of DEFENDANT alleged in the Complaint conformed to statutes, government regulations, industry standards and the state of knowledge at the time all times relevant in the Complaint. THIRTY-EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The product(s) or equipment referred to in PLAINTIFFS’ Complaint which may have been manufactured or distributed by this DEFENDANT, were manufactured and/or distributed in accordance with specifications and requirements supplied to this DEFENDANT by individuals or entities including, but not limited to, the United States of America. The alleged defect, if any, in said product(s) or equipment was, therefore, caused by said mandatory specifications and requirements and the alleged defect was neither known to, nor discoverable by this DEFENDANT with the exercise of reasonable care. THIRTY- Al PLAINTIFFS’ recovery against DEFENDANT is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent the Complaint seeks recovery under the theory of “enterprise,” “industry-wide,” “alternate” or “market share” (collectively referred to hereafter as “market share”) liability, and furthermore, the essential elements of a cause of action premised on a market share theory of liability do not exist between PLAINTIFF and DEFENDANT. FORTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The Complaint fails to allege facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action based upon market share liability and/or enterprise liability and therefore, violates the guarantees of due process of law and equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the United States and California Constitutions, and such violations bar PLAINTIFFS’ recovery or judgment against DEFENDANT. FORTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery of punitive damages against this DEFENDANT violates the California and United States Constitutions, including, but not limited to the due process clause Mit 9. P:iCtients22 ROSS v. CC MOORE (H&C)PLEADINGS Answer wpd . ANSWER OF DEFENDANT H&C INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES, INC, TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT i | 1 ' / / | ) | / | i | i i i \ i iPOOLE & SHAFFERY, LLP 445 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET, SUITE 2520 FACSIMILE (213) 439-0183 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071 ‘TELEPHONE (213) 439-5390 OO Ne Nt RNa kk tam mk th ec NK OH BR WN OO ODO ON OS thereof. No act or omission of this DEFENDANT or any of its officers, directors, or managing agents warrants the imposition of punitive damages. FORTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent that they have failed to, and cannot identify the products(s) and/or equipment, and the toxins within said product(s) and/or equipment, to which they, and PLAINTIFF was exposed. FORTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent that the benefits of DEFENDANTS product(s) or equipment, if any, outweighed the risk of danger inherent in said product or material. FORTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery is barred, diminished or reduced to the extent that PLAINTIFF cannot show that the product(s) or equipment supplied by DEFENDANT, if any, in all reasonable medical probability, was a substantial factor in increasing the risk of bringing about the injuries or damages complained of by PLAINTIFF with regard to PLAINTIFF. FORTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery is barred, diminished or reduced in that DEFENDANT, as a component and/or raw material supplier, is not liable to PLAINTIFF when the goods or material DEFENDANT supplied were not inherently dangerous, DEFENDANT sold goods or materials in bulk to a sophisticated buyer, the material was substantially changed during the manufacturing process, and DEFENDANT had a limited role in developing and designing the end product. FORTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The items which may have been manufactured or distributed by this DEFENDANT, was manufactured and/or distributed in accordance with specifications and requirements supplied to this DEFENDANT by individuals or entities including, but not limited to, the United States of America. The alleged defect, in any, in said product was, therefore, caused by said mandatory specifications and requirements and the alleged defect was neither known to nor discoverable by this DEFENDANT with the exercise of reasonable care. -10- PiClents2\Z ROSS vy. CC MOORE (H&C)PLEADINGSVAnswer.wpd ANSWER OF DEFENDANT H&C INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES, INC, TO PLAINTIFFS' COMPLAINT | | |POOLE @ SHAFFERY, LLP 445 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET, SUITE 2520 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071 TELEPHONE (213) 439-5390 FACSIMILE (213) 439.0183 2 6 WD Hh RB wD om 10 11 iz 13 i4 15 16 17 18 19 26 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 FORTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery is barred to the extent that PLAINTIFFS’ injuries occurred on a federal enclave or while working under the direction of a federal officer. -! IVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery is barred to the extent that their claims arise under the Constitution, treaties, laws of the United States, and/or admiralty or maritime law. FORTY-NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ recovery is barred to the extent that the venue is improper. FIFTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS?’ recovery is barred to the extent that the forum is improper. FIFTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ causes of action and claim are governed by the laws of another state. FIFTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE PLAINTIFFS’ causes of action and claim are preempted by Federal Locomotive Boiler Inspection Act (49 C.F.R. §§ 229.103-113; 229.46; and 229.49.) WHEREFORE, DEFENDANT prays that: 1 PLAINTIFFS take nothing by the Complaint; 2. For cost of suit, including attorneys fees; and 3. For such other and further relief as this court may deem just and proper. DATED: January (8 » 2011 POOLE & SHAFFERY, LLP Luiza Manuelian Attorneys tor Defendant, H&C Investment Associates, Inc. «Ll. PAiCHents22 AROSS v. CC MOORE (HACPLEADINGS Answer wpd ANSWER OF DEFENDANT H&C INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINToe OD NY HD Ww RB WY mw» Ny = & 13 PROOF OF SERVICE (CCP. § 1013a and § 2015.5) Robert Ross and Jean Ross v. C.C. Moore & Co. Engineers, et al SFSC Case No.: CGC-10-275731 J am employed in the County of Los Angeles, State of California; [ am over the age of 18 years and not a party to the within action; my business address is 445 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 2520, Los Angeles, CA 90071. On January 19, 2011, I served the foregoing document described as: DEFENDANT H&C INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. TO PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT on the interested parties in said action addressed as follows: seine SEE LEXIS/NEXIS SERVICE LIST week B BY ELECTRONIC MAIL OR ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION - I provided the document(s) listed above electronically to the Lexis Nexis website by which all parties on the Lexis Nexis service list are deemed served on the date indicated below, if the document(s) are provided to Lexis Nexis by 5:00 p.m. a By Mail [State] I am readily familiar with Poole & Shaffery, LILP’s practice for the collection and processing of mail with the United States Postal Service; such envelope will be deposited with the United States Postal Service on the above date in the ordinary course of business at the business address shown above; and such e nvelope was placed for collection and mailing on the above date according to Poole & Shaffery, LLP’s ordinary business practices. o I caused said document(s) to be transmitted by facsimile to each addressee set forth below on this date before 5:00 p.m. The transmission of this document was complete and without error. o I caused such envelope to delivered via overnight delivery to the party(ies) listed on the attached mailing list. Executed on January 19, 2011, at Los Angeles, California. a [State] I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of ‘California that the foregoing is true and correct. o [Federal] I declare that 1 am employed in the office of a member of the bar of this Court at whose direction this service was made. Rebecca Ortega, Declarant «le PROOF OF SERVICE