In Re: Complaint and Petition of KDME, Inc. as Owner of a Certain 2008 Hurricane Sundeck 195 for Exoneration from or Limitation of Liability

Filing 16

ORDER: (1) Adopting Magistrate Judge's #15 Report and Recommendation; (2) Appointing Guardians Ad Litem; (3) Approving Minor's Compromise. Signed by Judge Marilyn L. Huff on 10/26/2017.(ag)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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In re complaint and petition of KDME,
INC. as owner of a certain 2008
Hurricane Sundeck 195 for exoneration
from or limitation of liability.

Case No.: 3:16-cv-01313-H-MDD
ORDER:
(1) ADOPTING MAGISTRATE
JUDGE’S REPORT AND
RECOMMENDATION;
(2) APPOINTING GUARDIANS
AD LITEM;
(3) APPROVING MINOR’S
COMPROMISE.

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[Doc. Nos. 14, 15.]

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On June 1, 2016, Petitioner KDME, Inc. (“KDME”), filed a complaint for
exoneration from, or limitation of, liability pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1333, 46 U.S.C.
§ 30505, Rule 9(h) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedures and Rule F of the Supplemental
Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims. (Doc. No. 1.) KDME’s complaint
sought exoneration with respect to an incident that occurred on or about August 16, 2015
in the San Diego Bay, whereby Jakob and Oshrat Avitan, as well as their minor children
Amit, Ido and Roy, allegedly sustained personal injuries while operating KDME’s vessel.
(Id.) The Avitans have not appeared in this action.

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3:16-cv-01313-H-MDD

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On September 13, 2017, KDME and the Avitans filed a joint motion to appoint Jakob

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and Oshrat Avitan as guardians ad litem for their minor children, and to approve a

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settlement agreement reached by the parties. (Doc. No. 14.) In the settlement agreement,

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the parties agree to mutually release each other from liability stemming from the alleged

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boating accident in exchange for a waiver of all costs and attorney fees. (Id.)

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On October 10, 2017, the Magistrate Judge issued a Report and Recommendation

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recommending that the Court grant the parties’ joint motion. (Doc. No. 15.) No party filed

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any timely objections to the Report and Recommendation.

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After reviewing the Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation, as well as the

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terms of the proposed settlement agreement, the Court finds that Amit, Ido and Roy

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Avitan’s interests have been adequately safeguarded in this action, and that the proposed

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settlement “fair and reasonable.” Robidoux v. Rosengren, 638 F.3d 1177, 1179 (9th Cir.

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2011). The Court accordingly adopts the Report and Recommendation, appoints Jakob

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and Oshrat Avitan as guardians ad litem for Amit, Ido and Roy Avitan, and approves the

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parties’ proposed settlement agreement. In accordance with its representations to the

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Court, KDME shall expeditiously file a motion to dismiss this action, with prejudice, once

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the parties have executed the proposed settlement agreement.

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IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: October 26, 2017

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MARILYN L. HUFF, District Judge
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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3:16-cv-01313-H-MDD