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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGONZALEZ, VICENTEVinesign Document 1D: 8COAC23A-24DD-4AD7-8E4E-13E3A7CAD37A A-2024-107 ku 0 9 1024 o4 -o'."R �„siN'� 04,r fo-� SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS This Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims (hereinafter "Agreement") is made and entered into by and between VICENTE GONZALEZ (hereinafter "Plaintiff'), and the CITY OF SANTA ANA (hereafter "Defendant"). ILIAMN WILY III r_ WHEREAS, Plaintiff filed an action against Defendant in the Superior Court of the State California, County of Orange, Central Justice Center known as VICENTE GONZALEZ v. CITY OF SANTAANA, Case No. 30-2022-01240688-CU-PO-WJC (the "Action"). WHEREAS, Plaintiff and Defendant (collectively, the "Parties"), desire to settle fully and finally all differences between them, including, but in no way limited to, those differences described above. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and to avoid unnecessary litigation, it is hereby agreed by and between the Parties as follows: 1. This Agreement and compliance with it shall not be construed as an admission by Defendant of any liability whatsoever, or as an admission by Defendant of any violation of the rights of Plaintiff or any person, violation of any order, law, statute, duty, or contract whatsoever against Plaintiff or any person. Defendant specifically disclaims any liability to Plaintiff or any other person for any alleged violation of the rights of Plaintiff or any person, or for any alleged violation of any order, law, statute, duty, or contract on the part of any employees or agents of Defendant. Likewise, this Agreement and compliance with it shall not be construed as an admission by Plaintiff of any liability, misconduct, or wrongdoing whatsoever. 2. Each party will exchange a fully signed executed copy or original of this Agreement. Defendant cannot process payment without a fully executed copy of the Agreement from Plaintiff. a. Following receipt of, or in exchange for, an executed copy of a Request for Dismissal form from Plaintiff dismissing this Action with prejudice, Defendant will make available a check in the amount of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars and no cents ($400,000) made payable to "VICENTE GONZALEZ AND BLACKSTONE LAW, APC". This amount represents a full and complete settlement of Plaintiffs claims for all damages alleged in the Action. As negotiated, Defendant agrees to provide Plaintiff with a letter to his insurance company confirming that the settlement is based solely on Plaintiffs injury to his right shoulder and Defendant disputed liability for any other body part as a component of its evaluation of the damages. 3. Defendant will file the Request for Dismissal following Plaintiffs receipt of the settlement check. Plaintiff agrees that this Agreement constitutes full and complete settlement of all claims made against Defendant in this Action. Plaintiff will not seek any further compensation for any other claimed damages, costs, or attorney's fees in connection with the matters encompassed in this Agreement. Rev'd 7.24.24 Page t of 4 The signed document can be validated at https://app.vinesign.comNerify acknowledges he/she is represented by counsel in the Action and t e terms of this Release have been relayed to him/her by a means he/she understands. (Plaintiff's Initials) 10. The Parties represent and acknowledge that in executing this Agreement they do not rely and have not relied upon any representation or statement made by another party or by anotherparties' agents, attorneys, or representatives with regard to the subject matter, basis, or effect of this Agreement or otherwise, other than those specifically stated in this Agreement. 11. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties upon their heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, predecessors, successors, and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of said parties and each of them and to their heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, predecessors, successors, and assigns. 12. Should any provision of this Agreement be declared or be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, the legality, validity, and enforceability of the remaining parts, terms, or provisions shall not be affected thereby, and said illegal, unenforceable, or invalid part, term, or provision shall be deemed not to be a part of this Agreement. 13. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the Parties and fully supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings, written or oral, between the Parties pertaining to the Action or any related issue. 14. This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the plain meaning of its terms and not strictly for or against any of the parties hereto. 15. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, secured via e-mail, facsimile transmission or otherwise, each of which shall be deemed to be an original. Photocopies of any executed counterpart shall have the same force and effect as an original. PARTIES: Plaintif Dated: 07/26/2024 Defendant Dated: Rev'd 7.24.24 1 1 � C.' 4Z VICENTE GONZALEZ Plaintiff CITY OF SANTA ANA, a charter law city and municipal corporation, duly organized and existing under the Constitution and laws of the State of California By: lvaro Nunez, Acting Ci Man er Page 3 of 4 4. Plaintiff acknowledges and agrees that Defendant has made no representations regarding the tax consequences of any amounts received pursuant to this Agreement. Plaintiff agrees that he/she and he/she alone is liable for all taxes, if any, which are owed by his/her on any amount received hereunder including interest and penalties. Plaintiff will hold Defendant harmless from any and all claims made by federal, state, or local taxing authorities regarding amounts owed by Plaintiff. 5. Plaintiff will hold the City harmless from any and all lien holders of any kind, including liens for medical care or medical expenses owed to private insurance companies, Medi- Care or Medi-Cal, or any other medical providers, to whom Plaintiff is indebted. Plaintiff further acknowledges that he/ he and not the City is responsible for compromising any liens related to, or arising from, this LAJi n. (Plaintiffs Initials) 6. Plaintiff represents that, with the exception of this Action and the government tort claim associated therewith and submitted to the City of Santa Ana, he/she has not filed any complaints, claims, or actions against Defendant including any of its officers, agents, directors, supervisors, employees, or representatives of Defendant with any state, federal, or local agency or court and that they will not do so at any time hereafter as it relates to this Action and that if any agency or court assumes jurisdiction of any complaint, claim, or action against Defendant on Plaintiff s behalf, Plaintiff will direct that agency or court to withdraw and dismiss the matter with prejudice. 7. The parties hereto hereby agree that all rights under Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California are hereby waived. Civil Code Section 1542 provides as follows: "A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor." 8. Notwithstanding the provisions of Civil Code section 1542, each party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases and forever discharges each other party and each and all of its officers, agents, directors, supervisors, employees, representatives, and its successors and assigns and all persons acting by, through, under, or in concert with each other party from any and all charges, complaints, claims, and liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected (hereinafter referred to as 'claim" or 'claims") which each releasing party at any time heretofore had or claimed to have or which each releasing party at any time hereafter may have or claim to have, incidental to the incident(s) which form the basis of the Action. 9. Each person signing below represents that he/she has reviewed all aspects of this Agreement, that the Agreement has been carefully read and fully explained to them and that they understand every provision of this Agreement, that they understand that in agreeing to this document they are releasing each party hereby from any and all claims they may have against each party released, that they voluntarily agree to all the terms set forth in this Agreement, that they knowingly and willingly intend to be legally bound by the same, that they were given the opportunity to consider the terms of this Agreement and had the opportunity to discuss this Agreement with legal counsel. Each party hereby warrants they have the authority to enter into this Agreement and bind the party for whose benefit they execute this Agreement. Plaintiff Rev'd 7.24.24 Page 2 of 4 ATTEST: CITY OF SANTA ANA, a charter law city and municipal corporation, duly organized and existing under the Constitution and laws of the State of California Dated: By: Jennifer Ha , C' Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: BLACKSTONE LAW, APC Dated: July 25, 2024 "�44 Jonathan M. Gemsh Attorneys for Plaintiff Vicente Gonzalez SONIA R. CARVALHO City Attorney City o Santa Ana Dated: July 29, 2024 N Sandra M. Flor Senior Assistant City Attorney Attorneys for Defendant Rev'd 7.24.24 Page 4 of 4