Berman v. Knife River Corporation et al
Filing
47
ORDER by Judge Paul S. Grewal granting in part and denying in part 36 Motion to Dismiss; granting 16 Motion to Dismiss (psglc2, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/28/2012)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
8
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
9
SAN JOSE DIVISION
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
10
JOHN BERMAN,
11
12
13
14
15
16
)
)
Plaintiff,
)
v.
)
)
KNIFE RIVER CORPORATION; STATE OF )
CALIFORNIA; CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT )
OF TRANSPORTATION; and DOES 1-30,
)
)
Defendants.
)
)
)
Case No.: C 11-3698 PSG
ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEP’T OF
TRANSPORTATION’S MOTION TO
DISMISS; ORDER GRANTING-INPART AND DENYING-IN-PART
DEFENDANT KNIFE RIVER
CORPORATION’S MOTION TO
DISMISS
(Re: Docket Nos. 16, 36)
17
Pro se Plaintiff John Berman (“Berman”) brings this suit against Defendants Knife River
18
Corporation (“Knife River”), the State of California, the California Department of Transportation
19
(“Caltrans”), and Does 1-30 (collectively “Defendants”). Berman seeks damages for injuries from
20
an accident allegedly caused by Defendants’ negligent failure to mark a construction zone that
21
Berman encountered while riding his motorcycle. The State of California and Caltrans (“State
22
Defendants”) move to dismiss Berman’s complaint against them on the ground of sovereign
23
immunity under the Eleventh Amendment. Knife River moves to dismiss Berman’s complaint for
24
failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Berman opposes the motions. On
25
February 7, 2012, the parties appeared for hearing. For the reasons explained below, the State
26
Defendants’ motion is GRANTED, and Knife River’s motion is GRANTED-IN-PART.
27
28
1
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
1
I. BACKGROUND
2
Berman filed his original complaint on July 27, 2011, about one year after suffering
3
injuries resulting from a motorcycle crash. In his second amended complaint (“SAC”), Berman
4
alleges as follows. At about midday on June 9, 2010, Berman was riding his Honda motorcycle on
5
State Highway 33 (“SR 33”) through Patterson, California at approximately 40 mph.1 Upon
6
approaching the intersection of SR 33 and Ivy Avenue, Berman began a “prudent, non-negligent
7
right turn” into the Ivy Avenue turnout area, only to encounter an “unexpected, unmarked, non-
8
visible, several-inch raised ledge.”2 The ledge caused Berman’s motorcycle to become unstable and
9
crash into the pavement. Berman fell onto his left side and rolled at least once, over both his left
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
10
shoulder and his motorcycle helmet.3 Berman was attired with a motorcycle helmet, leather
11
motorcycle jacket, gloves and boots, and heavy denim jeans.4
Berman remained conscious during the crash and felt significant pain on his left side and in
12
13
his left foot.5 A Knife River construction worker immediately came to Berman’s aid. Berman
14
informed him that he thought he could get up. It was at that point that Berman was able to see the
15
ledge that caused the crash. Berman also heard a second construction worker nearby on his radio or
16
telephone who said, “[t]here were no cones out.”6 After a few minutes, while Berman tended to his
17
injuries and inquired whether there was a clinic nearby where he could get an x-ray, Berman
18
noticed that other construction workers had arrived and placed traffic cones along the SR 33
19
pavement to mark the raised ledge.7 Two policemen arrived shortly after. They gave Berman
20
directions to a nearby clinic and Berman saw at least one officer speaking with the construction
21
1
See Docket No. 13 ¶ 7 (“SAC”).
2
See id.
3
See id. ¶ 8.
4
See id. ¶ 9.
5
See id. ¶10.
6
See id. ¶¶ 11-13.
7
See id. ¶¶ 14-15.
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
2
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
1
workers, but neither officer asked Berman about the circumstances of the crash.8 Two Knife River
2
workers identified themselves to Berman as supervisors and gave him business cards with the
3
company’s point of contact for insurance purposes.9
Berman suffered damage to his motorcycle10 and injuries to his left foot and ribs.11 Knife
4
5
River’s roadway construction work created the unmarked ledge that caused the crash and his
6
injuries. Knife River failed to mark in any fashion the existence of the ledge, and Caltrans failed to
7
exercise reasonable or adequate oversight over Knife River.12 On these facts, Berman brings causes
8
of action for negligence and gross negligence against both Defendants.
When Berman contacted the county sheriff’s office a few days later to get the police report,
9
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
10
he “was stunned to hear that the report stated, ‘Berman made his turn in the construction zone
11
marked by several orange safety cones.’”13 Berman similarly learned that the same, allegedly false
12
report was made by several Knife River workers to the company’s insurer.14 Over the next several
13
months, Berman remained in communication with Knife River’s insurance contact and attempted
14
to correct the falsehood regarding the cones. In part due to the false report and to the insurer’s
15
inspection of the crash site several days later, Berman was told that he would receive only limited
16
reimbursement up to $10,000 of his medical bills, after application of Berman’s own insurance
17
coverage.15 On these facts, Berman additionally charges Knife River with violating California
18
Insurance Code Sections 675.5 and 676.2 for material misrepresentation in an insurance claim,
19
California Vehicle Code 31 for providing false or misleading information to law enforcement at the
20
8
See id. ¶¶ 16-17.
21
9
See id. ¶ 18.
22
10
23
Knife River’s insurance adjuster ultimately declared Berman’s motorcycle to be a total loss. See
id. ¶ 32.
11
See id ¶¶ 19, 24.
12
See id. ¶¶ 7, 25.
13
See id. ¶ 29.
14
See id. ¶ 31.
15
See id. ¶ 33.
24
25
26
27
28
3
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
1
scene of a crash,16 and the Federal False Information Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1020, for false
2
representation or claim in connection with work performed in a project approved by the
3
Department of Transportation.17 Berman also brings two additional causes of action against Knife
4
River for violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law (“UCL”) and conspiracy to mislead
5
insurance investigators, law enforcement, and to violate the Federal False Information Act.
6
II. STATE DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS PURSUANT TO ELEVENTH
AMENDMENT SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY
7
8
A.
A party may move to dismiss on Eleventh Amendment sovereign immunity grounds
9
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
10
11
12
13
14
15
pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1) for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.18 The Eleventh
Amendment “prevent[s] the indignity of subjecting a State to the coercive process of judicial
tribunals at the instance of private parties.”19 Immunity applies to suits brought in federal court by
a state’s own citizens as well as by citizens of other states.20 “Absent waiver, neither a State nor
agencies acting under its control may ‘be subject to suit in federal court.’”21 The Eleventh
Amendment confers total immunity from suit and is not merely a defense to liability.22
A state’s decision to waive immunity is “altogether voluntary.”23 The test for waiver
16
17
Legal Standards
therefore is “a stringent one.”24 Courts generally will find a waiver if the state voluntarily invokes
18
16
See id. ¶¶ 34-35.
19
17
See id. ¶ 36.
20
18
21
See Proctor v. United States, 781 F.2d 752, 753 (9th Cir. 1986) (affirming dismissal for lack of
subject matter jurisdiction because action was barred by sovereign immunity).
19
22
Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority v. Metcalf & Eddy, Inc., 506 U.S. 139, 146 (1993)
(quoting In re Ayers, 123 U.S. 443 (1887)).
23
20
24
21
25
See id. at 144 (citations omitted).
Id. at 144 (quoting Welch v. Texas Dept. of Highways and Public Transportation, 482 U.S. 468,
480 (1987)).
22
26
See id. at 145-146.
23
27
See College Sav. Bank v. Florida Prepaid Postsecondary Educ. Expense Bd., 527 U.S. 666, 675
(1999) (citations omitted).
28
24
Id. (quoting Atascadero State Hospital v. Scanlon, 473 U.S. 234, 241 (1985)).
4
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
1
federal court jurisdiction, or if the state makes “‘a clear declaration’ that it intends to submit itself
2
to our jurisdiction.”25 The Supreme Court has emphasized that a state does not waive immunity
3
merely by “consenting to suit in the courts of its own creation,” by stating its intention to “sue and
4
be sued,” or even by authorizing suits against it in “any court of competent jurisdiction.”26 Thus, a
5
state’s consent to be sued in federal court must be “unequivocally expressed.”27
6
B.
Analysis
7
The State Defendants move to dismiss on the basis that Berman has sued both the State of
8
California and Caltrans for monetary damages, but has not made any material allegations against
9
the State Defendants or shown that the State Defendants waived their sovereign immunity. Caltrans
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
10
further argues that granting leave to amend as to claims against the State Defendants would be
11
futile. Berman responds with several lines of argument, which he argues “in spite of their probable
12
novelty,” create an “overwhelming implication” of waiver. Citing Atascadero State Hospital v.
13
Scanlon,28 Berman seeks to establish waiver implicitly by relying upon various state agency
14
documents, manuals, and texts. Berman alternatively and by analogy seeks to apply the five-prong
15
test set forth in Belanger v. Madera Unified Sch. Dist.,29 to find an agency relationship between
16
Caltrans and the federal government.
In light of the Supreme Court’s directive limiting any finding of waiver to that which has
17
18
been “unequivocally expressed,” the court finds Berman’s arguments unconvincing.30 In
19
Atascadero, the Supreme Court rejected the notion that the state had implicitly consented to suit in
20
21
25
Id. at 675-676 (quoting Great Northern Life Ins. Co. v. Read, 322 U.S. 47, 54 (1944)).
22
26
Id. at 676 (citations omitted).
23
27
Pennhurst State Sch. & Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 99 (1984).
24
28
25
473 U.S. 234, 241 (1985), superceded by statute, Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1986, '
1003, P.L. 99-506 (Oct. 21, 1986).
29
26
963 F.2d 248 (1992).
30
27
28
See Pennhurst State Sch. & Hosp., 465 U.S. at 99 (“Our reluctance to infer that a State’s
immunity from suit in the federal courts has been negated stems from recognition of the vital role
of the doctrine of sovereign immunity in our federal system.”).
5
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
1
federal court by receiving funds for programs under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.31 The Court
2
held that the Rehabilitation Act did not abrogate participating states’ Eleventh Amendment
3
immunity because Congress must make its intent to abrogate “unmistakably clear in the language
4
of the statute.”32 The Act fell short of “manifesting a clear intent to condition participation in the
5
programs funded under the Act on a State’s consent to waive its constitutional immunity.”33
6
Viewed against these standards, Berman’s citations to Caltrans’ manuals for the many duties that
7
the agency and the State assume, for example, in investigating and anticipating unsafe road
8
conditions, or in administering contracts for the enforcement of labor and safety laws, in no way
9
state an “unmistakable” or “unequivocal” intent to be sued in federal court.
Nor does Berman’s argument regarding Caltrans purported role in enforcing the Federal
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
10
11
False Information Act, through its oversight and administration of highway construction contracts,
12
change this outcome. The Federal False Information Act subjects to a fine or imprisonment not
13
more than five years any “officer, agent, or employee of the United States or of any State” who
14
“knowingly makes any false statement, false representation, or false report” relating to quality,
15
cost, or other aspect of work performed in connection with contracts for highway construction or
16
related projects submitted for approval to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.”34 Even accepting
17
Berman’s position that an employee’s duty to tell the truth or refrain from making a false statement
18
or representation is required under both the Federal False Information Act and the Caltrans’
19
manuals, due to the safety hazards inherent in complex construction projects, Berman fails to cite
20
to any text that expresses an intent to waive immunity, either through “express language” or by
21
“overwhelming implication.”35
22
23
31
See Atascadero, 473 U.S. at 237, 247.
32
Id. at 242.
33
Id. at 247.
34
18 U.S.C. ' 1020.
35
Atascadero, 473 U.S. at 239-40.
24
25
26
27
28
6
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
Berman’s second approach similarly falls short. Berman looks to apply the analysis in
1
2
Belanger v. Madera Unified Sch. District of whether a school district is a state agency for
3
sovereign immunity purposes.36 Berman argues that applying the five-factor test in Belanger shows
4
that Caltrans “is sufficiently allied with the federal government that, at least in areas where it has
5
been delegated duties and thus acts as an agent of the federal government, it should not inherit
6
Eleventh Amendment immunity.”37
Berman’s approach is flawed because whether a school district warrants treatment as a state
7
agency for the purpose of determining sovereign immunity is not analogous to the status of a state
9
agency in relation to the federal government for the same purpose. As Belanger notes, “it is clear
10
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
8
that the Eleventh Amendment prohibits actions for damages against state agencies when Congress
11
has failed to express a contrary intent. *** [The plaintiff] Belanger concedes that her claims for
12
damages are barred if the school district is indeed a state agency for purposes of the Eleventh
13
Amendment.”38 Here, Caltrans is a state agency, and because Berman can point to neither express
14
intent nor unequivocal waiver of immunity, Berman may not pursue his suit against the State
15
Defendants.39
16
III. KNIFE RIVER’S MOTION TO DISMISS PURSUANT TO
FED. R. CIV. P. 12(b)(6) AND 8(a)
17
Knife River challenges the SAC on two independent grounds. Knife River argues that
18
Berman’s 15-page complaint contains an “excess of irrelevant and /or evidentiary detail” in
19
violation of the “short and plain statement” pleading requirement under Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2).
20
21
22
36
See Belanger, 963 F.2d at 250.
23
37
See Docket No. 27 (Pl.’s Opp’n to State Defs.’ Mot. To Dismiss).
24
38
See Belanger, 963 F.2d at 250 (emphasis added).
25
39
26
27
28
Berman’s suggested approach – that the state agency’s relationship to the federal government
may be evaluated in order to find some type of “agency” waiver of Eleventh Amendment immunity
– would effectively expand the doctrine of waiver to create an alternate avenue by which a private
party could force state agencies to be subject to suit in federal court. Because this approach is
contrary to the “stringent” standard for waiver under the law, the court cannot ratify such an
interpretation.
7
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
1
Knife River also argues that three of Berman’s four causes of action fail to state a claim upon
2
which relief may be granted under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6).
3
A.
Legal Standards
A complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader
4
is entitled to relief.”40 If a plaintiff fails to proffer “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is
6
plausible on its face,” the complaint may be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief
7
may be granted.41 A claim is facially plausible “when the pleaded factual content allows the court
8
to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.”42
9
Accordingly, under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6), which tests the legal sufficiency of the claims alleged
10
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
5
in the complaint, “[d]ismissal can based on the lack of a cognizable legal theory or the absence of
11
sufficient facts alleged under a cognizable legal theory.”43
On a motion to dismiss, the court must accept all material allegations in the complaint as
12
13
true and construe them in the light most favorable to the non-moving party.44 The court’s review is
14
limited to the face of the complaint, materials incorporated into the complaint by reference, and
15
matters of which the court may take judicial notice.45 However, the Court need not accept as true
16
allegations that are conclusory, unwarranted deductions of fact, or unreasonable inferences.46 Pro
17
se complaints are held to “less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers.”47 The
18
court “has an obligation to construe the pleadings liberally and to afford the [plaintiff] the benefit
19
40
Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2).
20
41
Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007).
21
42
Ashcroft v. Iqbal, ___ U.S. ___, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1940, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009).
22
43
Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep’t., 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990).
23
44
See Metzler Inv. GMBH v. Corinthian Colls., Inc., 540 F.3d 1049, 1061 (9th Cir. 2008).
24
45
See id. at 1061.
25
46
26
27
28
See Sprewell v. Golden State Warriors, 266 F.3d 979, 988 (9th Cir. 2001); see also Twombly,
550 U.S. at 561 (“a wholly conclusory statement of [a] claim” will not survive a motion to
dismiss).
47
Silva-Pearson v. BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP, No. C 11-1491 SI, 2011 WL 2633406, at *2
(N.D. Cal. July 6, 2011) (quoting Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520, 92 S.Ct. 594 (1972)).
8
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
1
of any doubt.”48 “However, even pro se pleadings must allege facts sufficient to allow a reviewing
2
court to determine whether a claim has been stated.”49 “Dismissal with prejudice and without leave
3
to amend is not appropriate unless it is clear … that the complaint could not be saved by
4
amendment.”50
5
B.
Analysis
6
1.
Short and Plain Statement
7
Knife River first complains of the amount of detail and evidentiary material included in the
8
SAC. Knife River argues that this material obscures Berman’s attempted claims and imposes a
9
burden on Defendants and the court. Specifically, Knife River points to such details as Berman’s
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
10
thoughts and feelings during the course of events related to the motorcycle accident, excerpts from
11
statutes and state agency manuals, and copies of business cards that Berman allegedly received
12
from the Knife River construction crew and police officer at the scene, as superfluous to a short
13
and plain statement of the claim. Berman asks the court for leave to amend if the court finds the
14
complaint to be too prolific or otherwise in need of clarification.
Knife River is correct that much of the detail included in the SAC is unnecessary in light of
15
16
the notice pleading requirement for federal court. Under the federal rules, “averments [must] ‘be
17
simple, concise, and direct.’”51 The Appendix of Forms to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure are
18
“intended to indicate the ‘simplicity and brevity’ of the statement which the rules contemplate.”52
19
That the complaint must provide “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its
20
face”53 does not alter the “simple, concise, and direct” purpose behind notice pleading. Yet the
21
excess of factual details in Berman’s SAC does not render the complaint “virtually
22
48
23
49
24
Bretz v. Kelman, 773 F.2d 1026, 1027 n. 1 (9th Cir. 1985) (en banc).
Silva-Pearson, 2011 WL 2633406, at *2 (citing Ivey v. Bd. of Regents of Univ. of Alaska, 673
F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982)).
50
Eminence Capital, LLC v. Asopeon, Inc., 316 F.3d 1048, 1052 (9th Cir. 2003).
51
See McHenry v. Renne, 84 F.3d 1172, 1177 (9th Cir. 1996).
52
See id. (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 84).
53
Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570.
25
26
27
28
9
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
1
incomprehensible” as to what basis Berman seeks relief, or so long or confusing as to require it to
2
be stricken in its entirety.54 Berman’s four causes of action are set forth in SAC paragraphs 25
3
(negligence), 26-27 (gross negligence), 34-35 (unfair business practice), and 40-42 (conspiracy to
4
violate federal false information act).55 Although the allegations supporting these claims may be
5
deficient for other reasons, as discussed below, the court does not find the complaint as a whole to
6
be improper. This is especially true in light of the “less stringent” pleading standard that courts
7
hold for pro se litigants.56 The court therefore denies Knife River’s motion to dismiss pursuant to
8
Rule 8.57
9
2.
Knife River next moves to dismiss Berman’s second, third, and fourth causes of action for
10
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
Failure to State a Claim pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6)
11
gross negligence, violations of California’s UCL, and conspiracy to mislead insurance
12
investigators, law enforcement, and to violate the Federal False Information Act. Berman opposes
13
the motion but requests leave to amend the SAC to resolve any deficiencies.
a.
14
Gross Negligence
15
Knife River argues that California law does not recognize a separate tort of “gross
16
negligence” as distinct from negligence. Instead, a party seeking to plead an “aggravated” form of
17
negligence must allege wanton or willful misconduct demonstrating “reckless disregard of the
18
safety of others.” This requires pleading more than an ordinary lack of care, but actual or
19
54
20
21
Cf. McHenry, 84 F.3d at 1175-78 (affirming district court’s dismissal with prejudice of
plaintiff’s complaint after two earlier opportunities to amend and detailed guidance from the
district court, which plaintiff failed to heed in submitting a third amended complaint that was
“argumentative, prolix, replete with redundancy, and largely irrelevant”).
55
See Docket No. 13.
56
See Silva-Pearson, 2011 WL 2633406, at *2.
22
23
57
24
25
26
27
28
In granting Berman leave to amend in part, with respect to Knife River’s motion to dismiss
pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), as discussed below, the court directs Berman to streamline his complaint
in order to remove references to factual or legal issues that do not pertain to the cause of action
being averred. For example, in SAC paragraphs 36 and 37, Berman references various
CALTRANS manuals and quotes federal statute in a manner that is difficult to read and
comprehend, and moreover does not provide a clear and succinct statement of any claim or its
relation to any claim. For an example of a succinct and sufficient complaint for negligence, the
court directs Berman to Civil Form 11 of the Appendix of Forms to the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure.
10
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
1
constructive knowledge of the peril to be apprehended and that injury is the probable result of the
2
peril.58 Berman responds that California courts do recognize the tort of gross negligence as set forth
3
in Rosencrans v. Dover Images, Ltd.,59 but requests that if his claim is nevertheless deficient he be
4
allowed to amend the complaint to plead reckless disregard of a probability of injury.60
5
Whether termed “gross negligence,” “willful and wanton negligence,” “reckless
6
misconduct,” or something else, a plaintiff may plead a separate cause of action for aggravated
7
negligence that signals an “extreme departure from the ordinary standard of conduct.”61 The
8
California Supreme Court defines gross negligence as “either a ‘want of even scant care’ or ‘an
9
extreme departure from the ordinary standard of conduct.’”62 This “want of even scant care” or
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
10
“extreme departure from the ordinary standard of conduct” must be alleged along with the
11
traditional elements of negligence.63 California courts do not require additional elements beyond
12
these for pleading gross negligence.64
13
58
14
See Docket No. 44 at 3 (citing Berkley v. Dowds, 152 Cal. App. 4th 518, 526 (2007)).
59
15
16
17
18
19
192 Cal. App. 4th 1072, 1082 (2011) (explaining gross negligence must be pled by alleging the
traditional elements of negligence as well as “extreme conduct” that rises to the level of “either a
want of even scant care or an extreme departure from the ordinary standard of conduct”) (citations
omitted).
60
See Docket No. 40 at 14 (requesting “leave to amend to plead that construction professionals – or
anyone who has ever ridden a bicycle – should know that a motorcycle (a legal vehicle for SR33)
turning into a several inch ledge, at an angle much less than 30 degrees from the parallel to the
ledge would have an extraordinary high probability of becoming uncontrollably unstable”).
61
20
21
22
See City of Santa Barbara v. Superior Court, 41 Cal. 4th 747, 754 (2007) (comparing the
unintentional tort of “ordinary negligence” to that of “gross negligence”). Although the California
Supreme Court distinguishes gross negligence from “wanton” or “reckless misconduct,” or “willful
and wanton negligence,” the court also recognizes that some jurisdictions consider one tantamount
to the other. See id. at 754, n.4.
62
See id. at 754 (quoting Eastburn v. Regional Fire Protection Authority, 31 Cal. 4th 1175 (2003)).
63
See Rosencrans, 192 Cal. App. 4th at 1082.
23
24
64
25
26
27
28
Knife River’s reliance on Berkley v. Dowds, 152 Cal. App. 4th 518, 526 (2007) is inapposite.
The court in Dowds sets forth three additional and “essential” elements that must be pleaded in
order “to raise a negligent act to the level of willful misconduct.” See id. at 528. Dowds does not
address gross negligence as a separate cause of action. Moreover, the California Supreme Court
issued City of Santa Barbara v. Superior Court after Dowds. As noted above, the court in City of
Santa Barbara distinguishes willful misconduct from gross negligence and defines gross
negligence as Berman has pleaded it in his SAC. See 41 Cal. 4th 747, 754 (2007). Earlier
California Supreme Court decisions have defined gross negligence in the same manner. See, e.g.,
11
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
1
In the SAC, Berman alleges that Knife River negligently failed to mark in any fashion the
2
ledge between the pavement and turnout, demonstrating “both 1) a want of even scant care for the
3
motoring public and 2) an extreme departure from the ordinary standard of conduct for a
4
construction area.”65 Berman alleges additional details regarding the failure to place even a single
5
cone and why that “breach of their professional duty to mark the road hazard they created was
6
grossly negligent.”66 The court fails to find any deficiency in these allegations. The SAC re-alleges
7
the claims in support of Berman’s claim for ordinary negligence and adds that Knife River’s
8
alleged omissions demonstrated an extreme departure from the ordinary standard for a construction
9
zone. Because Knife River has not challenged Berman’s first cause of action or claim for ordinary
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
10
negligence, the court takes the sufficiency of those elements as pleaded (duty, breach, causation,
11
damages) to be conceded. The facts as alleged are sufficient to state a claim for gross negligence
12
that is “plausible on its face,” allowing at least a “reasonable inference” that Knife River could be
13
liable if Berman could prove his allegations regarding an extreme departure from the ordinary
14
standard of conduct.67
b.
15
Unfair Business Practices
Knife River argues that Berman fails to state a claim for relief under the UCL because as a
16
17
matter of law, claims for damages are not covered by the UCL. Knife River argues that Berman
18
does not and moreover cannot state a claim for injunctive relief or for restitution – the only forms
19
of relief allowed under the UCL. Berman responds that the court has broad discretion to determine
20
which equitable remedies may be appropriate to remedy UCL violations and requests leave to
21
amend his complaint in order to include a claim for injunctive relief that will “prevent the pleaded
22
harms and similar harms from befalling motorists.”68
23
24
Eastburn v. Regional Fire Protection Authority, 31 Cal. 4th 1175, 1185-86 (2003); Franz v. Board
of Medical Quality Assurance, 31 Cal. 3d 124, 138 (1982).
65
See Docket No. 13 & 27.
66
See id.
67
See Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. at 1940.
68
See Docket No. 40 at 16.
25
26
27
28
12
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
The UCL prohibits “any unlawful, unfair or fraudulent business act or practice and unfair,
1
2
deceptive, untrue or misleading advertising.”69 Accordingly, “[a]n act can be alleged to violate any
3
or all of the three prongs of the UCL – unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent.”70 A UCL claim predicated
4
on unfair business practices may be grounded upon a violation of a statute, or be a “standalone”
5
claim based on an alleged act that “violates established public policy or if it is immoral, unethical,
6
oppressive or unscrupulous and causes injury to consumers which outweighs its benefits.”71 The
7
UCL provides for limited relief in the form of a court order to enjoin the prohibited activity, or to
8
“restore to any person in interest any money or property, real or personal, which may have been
9
acquired by means of such unfair competition.”72
Berman seeks relief for “damages and consequential damages” caused by the alleged unfair
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
10
11
business practice which harmed him by compromising the accuracy and fairness of the insurance
12
investigation.73 Specifically, Berman alleges that Knife River’s false representations to the police
13
and insurance company regarding the presence of orange safety cones in the construction zone
14
before the accident violated public policy against material misrepresentation in an insurance
15
claim74 as well as Cal. Veh. Code ' 31,75 thereby serving as the basis for an unfair business
16
practice claim.
Berman’s third cause of action for unfair competition fails to state a claim for any relief
17
18
available under the UCL because “[w]hile the scope of conduct covered by the UCL is broad, its
19
69
See Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200.
20
70
See Berryman v. Merit Prop. Mgmt., Inc., 152 Cal. App. 4th 1544, 1554 (2007).
21
71
See McKell v. Washington Mut., Inc., 142 Cal. App. 4th 1457, 1473 (2006).
22
72
See Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17203.
23
73
See Docket No. 13 & 34.
24
74
25
26
27
28
See Docket No. 13 && 29-34. Berman contends that the basis for this public policy is expressed
in Cal. Ins. Code ' 676.2(b)(3)(B). Section 676.2(b)(3)(B) provides for the cancellation of a
commercial insurance policy on various grounds, including discovery of fraud or material
misrepresentation by the insured in pursuing a claim under the policy. See Cal. Ins. Code '
676.2(b)(3)(B).
75
Cal. Veh. Code ' 31 prohibits any person from knowingly providing false information to an onduty peace office.
13
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
remedies are limited.”76 California law is well-established that a UCL action is equitable in nature,
2
and damages cannot be recovered.77 Even if Berman is able to state a claim for an unfair business
3
practice, he is unable to allege a basis for injunctive or other equitable relief. Berman argues that
4
economic injury to the plaintiff without any corresponding gain by the defendant is sufficient to
5
constitute “injury in fact” in order to permit the plaintiff to seek an injunction under the UCL, even
6
if restitution is not available.78 Berman also describes his own economic losses and how the denial
7
of his reimbursement claim against Knife River’s insurance likely resulted in an economic gain to
8
the company in the form of maintaining insurance premiums or preventing account pay-outs.79 But
9
Berman confuses the requirements for standing under the UCL with those to state a claim for relief.
10
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
1
In Kwikset Corp. v. Superior Court, the court clarified the UCL’s standing requirements, as
11
narrowed by a 2004 state initiative, to require an economic injury-in-fact that was caused by the
12
unfair business practice at issue.80 The Kwikset decision does not expand the limited remedies
13
presented by the UCL.81 Nor does the court’s “broad equitable powers to remedy violations” under
14
the UCL82 create an opportunity for an injunction or restitution where the factual allegations do not
15
establish any basis for equitable relief. In this case, where Berman alleges injuries caused by a
16
motorcycle crash and additional economic harm resulting from the insurance determination
17
allegedly affected by Knife River’s unfair business practice, there has been neither transfer of
18
19
20
21
76
Korea Supply Co. v. Lockheed Martin Corp., 29 Cal. 4th 1134, 1144 (2003) (citing Cel-Tech
Commc’ns, Inc. v. Los Angeles Cellular Tel. Co., 20 Cal. 4th 163, 180 (1999)).
77
See id. (citing Bank of the West v. Superior Court, 2 Cal. 4th 1254, 1266 (1992)).
78
See Docket No. 40 at 15 (citing Kwikset Corp. v. Superior Court, 51 Cal. 4th 310 (2011)).
79
See id.
80
See Kwikset Corp., 51 Cal. 4th at 322.
22
23
24
25
81
26
27
In fact, the representative plaintiff in Kwikset Corp. sought both injunctive relief and restitution
related to the sale of lockets allegedly labeled in a misleading manner that led consumers to
purchase them based on misinformation.
82
28
See Kwikset Corp., 51 Cal. 4th at 320 (citations omitted).
14
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
1
money or property from Berman to Knife River.83 Instead, Berman, as alleged, has suffered
2
damages. This harm may be compensable, but not under the UCL. Because an amendment might
3
address this deficiency, Knife River’s motion to dismiss the third cause of action is granted with
4
leave to amend.
c.
5
Civil Conspiracy
6
Berman’s fourth cause of action is for “conspiracy to mislead insurance investigators, law
7
enforcement, and to violate the Federal False Information Act.” Knife River argues that Berman’s
8
claim is deficient both as to alleging the elements of conspiracy and of the tort that the defendants
9
are alleged to have conspired to commit. Knife River also argues that if Berman seeks to allege an
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
10
underlying tort based in fraud, he must meet the standard for heightened pleading under Fed. R.
11
Civ. P. 9(b). Berman responds that he has set forth sufficient factual allegations to state a claim for
12
civil conspiracy, as well as specified the alleged violation of statute statutes and the Federal False
13
Information Act as the underlying tort.
A claim for civil conspiracy is not itself an independent tort, but a legal mechanism that
14
15
imposes a form of vicarious liability on persons who may not themselves have committed the
16
underlying tort, but who “share with the immediate tortfeasors a common plan or design in its
17
perpetration.”84 The plaintiff must allege “that the defendant had knowledge of and agreed to both
18
the objective and the course of action that resulted in the injury, that there was a wrongful act
19
committed pursuant to that agreement, and that there was resulting damage.”85 “Standing alone, a
20
21
22
23
24
25
83
See Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code ' 17203 (providing for court order “as may be necessary to restore to
any person in interest any money or property, real or personal, which may have been acquired by
means of such unfair competition”).
84
See Berg & Berg Enterprises, LLC v. Sherwood Partners, Inc., 131 Cal. App. 4th 802, 823
(2005) (quoting Kidron v. Movie Acquisition Corp., 40 Cal. App. 4th 1571, 1581 (1995)).
85
26
27
28
Id. (quoting Quelimane Co. v. Stewart Title Guaranty Co., 19 Cal. 4th 26, 47 (1998)). See also
Applied Equipment Corp. v. Litton Saudi Arabia Ltd., 7 Cal. 4th 503, 511 (1994) (“The elements of
an action for civil conspiracy are the formation and operation of the conspiracy and damage
resulting to plaintiff from an act or acts done in furtherance of the common design.”) (citations
omitted).
15
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
1
conspiracy does no harm and engenders no tort liability. It must be activated by the commission of
2
an actual tort.”86
Berman’s conspiracy allegations center on the presence of Knife River workers at the scene
3
4
of the crash who formed a conspiracy with other Knife River workers, including two named
5
supervisors, sometime shortly after the crash.87 The SAC describes the underlying tort as “to
6
perpetrate unfair business practices, through material omissions and/or misrepresentations to law
7
enforcement, insurance investigators, and other deceived persons as contemplated by the Federal
8
False Information Act.”88 The SAC further refers to the wrongful act or underlying tort as
9
“unlawful deceit” of persons in law enforcement and for insurance purposes.
These allegations only get Berman part of the way to stating a claim for relief for civil
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
10
11
conspiracy. Taking the allegations to be true and in the light most favorable to Berman, Berman
12
has alleged facts to set the circumstances for formation and operation of the conspiracy, based on
13
the presence of Knife River’s workers, their conferencing, and appearance of the orange cones, but
14
has not alleged an actionable, underlying tort. As an evidentiary matter, “the agreement between
15
conspirators need not be proved by direct evidence, but may be shown by circumstantial evidence
16
that tends to show a common intent.”89 Thus, at the pleading stage, even without alleging directly
17
that the workers arrived at some common agreement or design to misrepresent the conditions
18
surrounding the crash, Berman alleges facts and details sufficient to state a legally cognizable
19
claim of circumstances from which may be inferred at least a tacit agreement.
20
21
22
23
86
Applied Equipment Corp., 7 Cal. 4th at 511. See also Okun v. Superior Court, 29 Cal. 3d 442,
454 (1981).
87
See Docket No. 13 & 41.
88
See id.
24
25
89
26
27
28
See Peterson v. Cruickshank, 144 Cal. App. 2d 148, 163 (1956). See also Wyatt v. Union Mortg.
Co., 24 Cal. 3d 773, (1979) (“[T]he requisite concurrence and knowledge ‘may be inferred from
the nature of the acts done, the relation of the parties, the interests of the alleged conspirators, and
other circumstances.’”) (quoting Chicago Title Ins. Co. v. Great Western Financial Corp., 69 Cal.
2d 305, 316 (1968)).
16
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
However, because “the conspiracy itself is not actionable without a wrong,”90 Berman must
1
allege an actionable underlying tort. The conspiracy portion of the SAC identifies no cognizable
3
underlying tort that advances the claimed design or scheme. As discussed above, Berman does not
4
allege a claim for relief under the UCL, thereby rendering his unfair business practices claim
5
inapplicable as the underlying tort to his conspiracy claim. The other bases for an underlying tort
6
suggested by the SAC include the alleged violations of Cal. Veh. Code ' 31 prohibiting false
7
statements to a law enforcement officer, of Cal. Ins. Code ' 676.2(b)(3)(B) providing for
8
cancellation of a commercial insurance policy for a material misrepresentation by the insured in
9
pursuing a claim under the policy, and of the Federal False Information Act, 18 U.S.C. ' 1020, a
10
United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
2
statute subjecting to criminal liability a person, firm, or corporation who knowingly makes a false
11
representation or report with respect to the character or quality of work performed in connection
12
with a federally-approved highway construction project. These statutes, however, do not give rise
13
to an actionable claim by Berman. 91Because an amendment might address this deficiency, this
14
dismissal is granted with leave to amend.
IV. CONCLUSION
15
For the reasons set forth above, the court hereby GRANTS the State Defendants’ motion to
16
17
dismiss. Because it is clear that no amendment could save the complaint against the State
18
Defendants, this dismissal is without leave to amend. The court further DENIES Knife River’s
19
motion to dismiss the second cause of action for gross negligence and GRANTS Knife River’s
20
motion to dismiss the third and fourth causes of action with leave to amend. Any further amended
21
complaint shall be filed no later than March 21, 2012.
22
IT IS SO ORDERED.
23
Dated: 2/28/2012
_________________________________
PAUL S. GREWAL
United States Magistrate Judge
24
25
90
26
91
27
28
See Okun, 29 Cal. 3d at 455.
See Applied Equipment Corp., 7 Cal. 4th at 511 (“[T]ort liability arising from conspiracy
presupposes that the coconspirator is legally capable of committing the tort, i.e., that he or she
owes a duty to plaintiff recognized by law and is potentially subject to liability for breach of that
duty.”).
17
Case No.: 11-3698 PSG
ORDER
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?