JEREMY FOGEL, District Judge.
On April 25, 2008, Plaintiff Molly Stearns ("Stearns"), a California resident, filed a complaint in the Santa Clara Superior Court alleging that she had found mold in a Sleep Number® bed purchased at Bed Bath & Beyond ("BBB") in 2000. The complaint alleged claims for strict product liability, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, concealment, breach of express warranty, and breach of implied warranty. Stearns also sought to bring a class action on behalf of all original purchasers and users of Sleep Number® beds manufactured between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 2005. Defendants Select Comfort Retail Corporation ("Select Comfort") and BBB removed the action to this Court and then moved to dismiss all of Stearns' claims except for the product liability claim and to strike the class allegations. On October 1, 2008, 2008 WL 4542967, the Court dismissed the complaint with leave to amend. In striking Stearns' class claims, the Court noted the inherent difficulty of maintaining a class action arising from alleged personal injuries. Dkt. No. 28 at 11-12.
On October 30, 2008, Stearns and additional named plaintiffs filed their first amended complaint ("FAC"), amending their previous claims and adding a new defendant (Sleep Train). The FAC also included new claims for relief based upon (1) negligence; (2) violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act ("MMWA"); (3) unfair competition pursuant to the California Unfair Competition Law ("UCL"), Cal. Bus. & Prof.Code § 17200 et seq.; (4) false advertising pursuant to the California False Advertising Law ("FAL"), Cal. Bus. & Prof.Code § 17500 et seq.; (5) violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act; (6) violation of California's Cartwright Act; (7) violation of the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act ("CLRA"), Cal. Civ.Code § 1750; (8) violation of the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO"), 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c); (9) conspiracy in violation of RICO, 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d); and (10) violation of the Consumer Product Safety Act ("CPSA"), 15 U.S.C. § 2064, et seq. In addition, the claim for breach of express warranty was asserted expressly pursuant to Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC") § 2-313. The implied warranty claim was bifurcated into separate claims for breach of the implied warranty of merchantability (UCC § 2-314) and breach of the implied warranty of fitness (UCC § 2-315). In total, Plaintiffs asserted seventeen claims for relief, none of which included claims based upon personal injuries. On June 5, 2009, 2009 WL 1635931, the Court granted Defendants' motion to dismiss with leave to amend in part. Leave to amend was limited expressly to Plaintiffs' claims based upon negligence, strict product liability, breach of express warranty, and violations of the MMWA and UCL. The Court also granted Defendants' motion to strike Plaintiffs' purported class claims. The Order stated clearly that Plaintiffs could "not add any new defendants, plaintiffs or claims for relief without leave of the Court." Dkt. No. 59 at 29.
On July 6, 2009, Plaintiffs filed their second amended complaint ("SAC"), asserting claims for negligence, strict product liability, breach of express warranty,
On January 4, 2010, Plaintiffs filed the operative third amended complaint ("TAC"), again asserting claims for negligence, strict product liability, breach of express warranty, and violation of the MMWA and UCL. On March 12, 2010, Defendants moved to dismiss the TAC for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted and to strike all of the purported class claims contained therein. On the same date, Plaintiffs moved for leave to file their proposed fourth amended complaint ("PFAC") which purports to refine all of their claims for relief and adds class-wide and individual personal injury claims.
Select Comfort first began designing, manufacturing, distributing and selling Sleep Number® beds in 1987. TAC ¶ 29. A limited twenty-year warranty accompanied each Sleep Number® bed. Id. Plaintiffs allege that the Sleep Number® bed is defectively designed, causing it to develop mildew and mold. Id. ¶¶ 38-43, 72. They claim that the bed's frame supports one or two air chambers, also known as bladders, that are separated and surrounded by foam pieces known as inserts or toppers. Id. ¶¶ 39, 40. The inserts and toppers then are "enclosed by another level of foam and a cover which completes the enclosure . . ." Id. ¶ 39. The bladders are covered with a canvas material that, along with the foam components, allegedly "absorb[s] moisture which is never naturally ventilated due in part to the construction of the bladder which is a piece of rubber or PVC sandwiched between two pieces of canvas." Id. Plaintiffs allege that the bed's design is "inherently defective" because it "is an air bladder surrounded by forma and an upholstered topper" which "acts as a vapor barrier preventing the permeation of air or ventilation." Id. ¶ 43. Plaintiffs allege that the "air bladder thereby allows moisture from condensation or other sources to become trapped within the system—a trait not shared by upholstered products." Id.; see also id. ¶ 40 (alleging that "[u]pholstered products have the ability for air to migrate throughout, thereby inhibiting the ability of the upholstered products to retain a wet and damp state", while "[t]he Sleep Number bed, as designed, prevents air migration in order to allow the user to adjust and maintain the exact air pressure desired . . . when moisture comes into contact with the vapor barrier, through condensation or other means, it does not dry as it would with ventilated upholstered products. The moisture sits, stagnant, upon the vapor barrier as designed and creates the perfect environment for mold incubation"). Plaintiffs claim that Select Comfort has received thousands of complaints with respect to mold growth in its Sleep Number® bed prior to and since 2004. Id. ¶ 47.
Plaintiffs allege that in 2005, when Select Comfort made improvements to the Sleep Number® bed, it applied mold inhibitors only to the "mattress covers." Id. ¶ 77. This allegation is contradicted directly by language found in Exhibit F (a Yahoo! Buzz article entitled, "The Real Deal," posted on June 8, 2008), which
Select Comfort's limited warranty promises repair or replacement of a defective product or component. TAC ¶ 34. The language of the limited warranty indicates that repair or replacement of the defective product or component is the "exclusive remedy, in lieu of all incidental, special or consequential damages, including for negligence. . . Select Comfort will bear no other damages or expenses." Id. (emphasis not in warranty, but added in TAC). Plaintiffs allege that Defendants are unable to repair the defect and that replacements of the defective product only have led to replacement of one defective part with another defective part. Id. ¶ 33. While the limited warranty does not mention explicitly the availability of a full refund for customers who have found mold in their beds, Select Comfort in fact has offered, in addition to replacement components and replacement of the entire bed, a full refund at no charge to complaining customers. FAC, Ex. B at 17 (indicating in an online customer complaint board that a customer who has an issue with mold is entitled to a full refund and providing the Select Comfort Customer Care phone number). However, Plaintiffs claim that Select Comfort "selectively enforces the terms of the warranty and provides refunds to customers in a selective manner and customarily only to those that complain and assert injury beyond the product itself and in some cases not at all." TAC ¶ 34.
Stearns alleges that she purchased a Sleep Number® bed at BBB in 2000. She claims that she discovered mold in her bed on or around April 22, 2008, contacted Select Comfort customer service that same day, and subsequently received a refund check from Select Comfort for $1,894.35 without having requested a refund and without any explanation as to the amount provided. Id. ¶¶ 48, 64. The refund did not compensate Stearns for the "entire bed purchase price, the property damage she sustained or for costs associated with replacing the defective bed." Id. ¶ 64, id. ¶¶ 116, 143 (alleging that Stearns purchased replacement bedding totaling $282.26 and that the destroyed bedding cost significantly more than her replacement bedding). Stearns claims that she replaced her bedding based on her own "research that mold spores can become airborne and attach to other products in the immediate vicinity and at the urging of
Ruth Rose ("Rose"), a California resident, alleges that she bought a Sleep Number® bed in 1996, that she first found mold in her bed on or about May 23, 2008, and that she called Select Comfort to complain of mold in her bed on that same day. Id. ¶¶ 18, 49, 53. Rose was told that Select Comfort was aware of the mold problem but that it had changed the design in 2005 to address the problem. Plaintiffs claim that Select Comfort's assertion was false. Id. ¶ 53. Rose alleges that she offered Select Comfort the opportunity to cure the defect and that it refused when it "would not guarantee, under the terms of the warranty, that a design defect was not present and that post 2005 beds would not incubate mold." Id. ¶ 53. Select Comfort then provided Rose a full refund for her twelve-year-old bed, but it did not provide any additional compensation for the other property damage allegedly caused by the mold. Id. ¶¶ 54, 117, 144 (alleging that Rose spent $4,600.00 on replacement bedding including four sets of sheets; two goose down comforters; duvet covers; two bed skirts; pillow shams and four pillows). Like Stearns, Rose purports to act as a California class representative with respect to all of Plaintiffs' claims. Id. ¶¶ 90, 104-244.
Dennis and Bonnie Fuller ("the Fullers"), residents of Florida, allege that they purchased a Sleep Number® bed on May 17, 1996. Id. ¶ 19. The Fullers first discovered mold in their bed on or about June 16, 2008 and contacted Select Comfort about the mold before the end of the year. Id. ¶¶ 50, 55 (alleging that "they were informed that Select Comfort was aware of the problem and made changes in the design in 2005 specifically in response to consumer complaints" and that "[t]his statement was untrue in that the design has never been changed"). The Fullers were provided a refund for their twelve-year-old bed, but they were not compensated for additional property damage they allegedly sustained or for the costs of replacing the defective products. Id. ¶¶ 56, 118, 145 (alleging that their replacement bedding cost approximately $400 to $500, but that the destroyed bedding was more expensive than the replacements at approximately $800-$1000); id. ¶¶ 119, 120, 146, 147 (alleging that the Fullers were forced to spend approximately $9,050.42 to replace their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ("HVAC") to mitigate the effect of mold contamination caused directly by the Sleep Number® bed). The Fullers allege that Dennis Fuller's primary care physician instructed that the HVAC and bedding should be replaced and that an environmental test commissioned by the Fullers on June 13, 2008 concluded that there was cladosporium mold in the HVAC system. Id. ¶¶ 120, 147. The Fullers purport to act as Florida class representatives for all of Plaintiffs' claims. Id. ¶ 90.
Dan Schlesinger ("Schlesinger"), a California resident, alleges that he purchased a Sleep Number® bed on November 2, 1994. Id. ¶ 20. Schlesinger's factual allegations in the TAC, like those in the SAC, are materially inconsistent with his allegations in the FAC. In the FAC, Schlesinger alleged that he contacted Select Comfort in 2004 and that he received replacement parts before the antimicrobial reformulation conducted by Select Comfort in 2005. FAC ¶ 189. Schlesinger claimed that these replacement parts subsequently developed mold and that when he reported this to Select Comfort, he was provided a
Karen Williams, a California resident, alleges she purchased a Sleep Number® bed from Sleep Train for her son, Bryan Williams, on February 10, 2004. Id. ¶ 21. Bryan Williams, a California resident, was the user of the bed. Id. The Williamses allege that they first discovered mold in the bed on October 26 and December 30, 2006 "while inspecting the bed for mold growth as instructed by Select Comfort in their product manual and at the urging of [sic] toxicologist." Id. ¶ 52. Karen Williams states that she contacted Select Comfort to complain about mold in Bryan Williams' bed in 2006 and 2007 and that replacement parts were sent to Bryan Williams. Id. ¶ 57. The Williamses allege that the new parts developed mold and that "K. Williams also called and reported mold to Select Comfort and Sleep Train after the new parts began to develop mold, mildew, and wetness." Id. Defendants contend that this allegation is demonstrably false based upon a recorded customer service call dated January 26, 2007, during which Karen Williams requested a refund for Bryan Williams' bed but made no mention of mold. Dkt. No. 59 at 3-4 n. 2 (clarifying that the Court need not consider the substance of the telephone call to decide the instant motion, but recognizing that in the call Karen Williams was talking about moisture in the bed rather than mold).
On May 14, 2007, Karen Williams also sent a letter with return receipt requested to Lisa Riedesel and Bill McLaughlin, the CEO of Select Comfort, complaining of the mold issues in her son's bed, the outstanding "need for a recall notice to be sent out to all those with Sleep Number® beds," and documenting several telephone calls to Select Comfort about the need for a recall. TAC ¶ 58, Ex. C. However, while the letter reveals that the original bed developed mold, it does not state that the replacement bed Defendants provided also had
On May 29, 2007, Karen Williams received a phone call acknowledging receipt of her letter by Select Comfort. On June 1, 6, and 21, 2007, Select Comfort requested and received documents from Karen Williams relating to property and personal injury damages related to her son. Id. ¶ 58. On July 3, 2007, Select Comfort representative Lisa Riedesel contacted Karen Williams by phone to "confirm whether she would remedy the property damage and injuries to B. Williams and issue a recall or notification to the class." Id. ¶ 59. Karen Williams alleges that her request for a refund and reimbursement of expenses totaling $32,000 was refused. Id. ¶ 60. Finally, Karen Williams alleges that she spent approximately $500 on replacing the destroyed bedding that cost approximately the same amount. Id. ¶ 149.
In response to customer complaints, Select Comfort redesigned the Sleep Number® bed in 2005 to inhibit mold growth. Id. ¶ 77 (alleging that "only the mattress cover received an inhibitor to prevent users from knowing that their bed was contaminated. . . . [and that] this inhibitor in no way addressed the millions of beds already in service and the defective design which is the root cause of the mold). Plaintiffs allege that Defendants thus were on notice of the defect in the beds. Id. Plaintiffs claim that Select Comfort nonetheless continued to distribute defective replacement beds and parts to consumers who had mold in their older beds. Id. ¶¶ 66, 67. Moreover, when Select Comfort learned of the defect that caused the mold growth, Defendants allegedly did not provide notice to the public or any warning to Plaintiffs of the defect. Id. ¶¶ 68-70. Plaintiffs assert that putative class members and the named Plaintiffs have "obtained replacement parts since the 2005 reformulation and the results are identical-mold incubation in the internal components." Id. ¶ 80. Plaintiffs allege specifically that "Schlesinger, Rose, and Williams have each told Select Comfort that mold growth has occurred in their beds since the 2005 reformulation," but that Select Comfort continues to claim that "there have been 0 confirmed cases of mold in a Sleep Number® bed sold after the antimicrobial reformulation in 2005." Id.
Each named plaintiff claims to have discovered mold in his or her respective Sleep Number® bed and to have removed or replaced his or her defective bed. Id. ¶ 84. Each claims to have expended money to purchase replacement bedding, including sheets, pillows, comforters, and blankets ("replacement bedding"). Id. Plaintiffs claim that the cost of their replacement bedding has not been compensated. In addition, all Plaintiffs allege that they suffered damages in the form of shipping and handling costs of "either replacement products or mold infected products that they would not otherwise have spent were it not for defendants' defective product." Id. ¶ 86. Finally, for the first time, Plaintiffs allege that the design defect that causes mold growth in the mattresses is outside the terms of the express limited warranty, which covers "defects in material and workmanship" Id. ¶¶ 67, 73, 161 (stating that "this warranty does not expressly address any remedy or limitation for design defects. As such, it does not apply to any claim based on a defectively designed product, but only to the defective materials and workmanship associated with the component parts of the product"). Plaintiffs do recognize that the limited
"Dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) is appropriate only where the complaint lacks a cognizable legal theory or sufficient facts to support a cognizable legal theory." Mendiondo v. Centinela Hosp. Med. Ctr., 521 F.3d 1097, 1104 (9th Cir.2008) (citation omitted). For purposes of a motion to dismiss, the plaintiff's allegations are taken as true, and the court must construe the complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. Jenkins v. McKeithen, 395 U.S. 411, 421, 89 S.Ct. 1843, 23 L.Ed.2d 404 (1969). "To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to `state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.' A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged." Ashcroft v. Iqbal, ___ U.S. ___, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1949, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009), citing Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 556, 570, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007). Thus, a court need not accept as true conclusory allegations, unreasonable inferences, legal characterizations, or unwarranted deductions of fact contained in the complaint. Clegg v. Cult Awareness Network, 18 F.3d 752, 754-755 (9th Cir.1994). Leave to amend must be granted unless it is clear that the complaint's deficiencies cannot be cured by amendment. Lucas v. Dep't of Corr., 66 F.3d 245, 248 (9th Cir.1995). When amendment would be futile, however, dismissal may be ordered with prejudice. Dumas v. Kipp, 90 F.3d 386, 393 (9th Cir.1996).
On a motion to dismiss, the Court's review is limited to the face of the complaint and matters judicially noticeable. MGIC Indem. Corp. v. Weisman, 803 F.2d 500, 504 (9th Cir.1986); N. Star Int'l v. Ariz. Corp. Comm'n, 720 F.2d 578, 581 (9th Cir. 1983). However, under the "incorporation by reference" doctrine, the Court also may consider documents which are referenced extensively in the complaint and which are accepted by all parties as authentic. Knievel v. ESPN, 393 F.3d 1068, 1076 (9th Cir.2005).
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(f), the court may "strike from a pleading an insufficient defense or any redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter." Where the damages sought in a prayer for relief are not recoverable as a matter of law, a motion to strike may be used to strike the prayer for such damages. Wilkerson v. Butler, 229 F.R.D. 166, 172 (E.D.Cal.2005); Bureerong v. Uvawas, 922 F.Supp. 1450, 1479, n. 34 (C.D.Cal.1996), citing Tapley v. Lockwood Green Engineers, Inc., 502 F.2d 559, 560 (8th Cir.1974).
The grounds for a motion to strike must appear on the face of the complaint or from matter which the court may judicially notice and the court must view the pleading in the light most favorable to the pleader. SEC v. Sands, 902 F.Supp. 1149, 1165 (C.D.Cal.1995); Lazar v. Trans Union LLC, 195 F.R.D. 665, 669 (C.D.Cal.2000), citing California v. United States, 512 F.Supp. 36, 39 (N.D.Cal.1981). The central function of a Rule 12(f) motion is "to avoid the expenditure of time and money that must arise from litigating spurious issues by dispensing with those issues prior to trial." Sidney-Vinstein v. A.H. Robins Co., 697 F.2d 880, 885 (9th
Plaintiffs cannot maintain a claim without properly alleging a legally cognizable injury. Khan v. Shiley, Inc., 217 Cal.App.3d 848, 266 Cal.Rptr. 106, 110 (1990) (holding that a product liability claim necessitates the allegation of a legally cognizable injury); County of Santa Clara v. Atl. Richfield Co., 137 Cal.App.4th 292, 40 Cal.Rptr.3d 313, 318 (2006) (concluding that a plaintiff must allege a legally cognizable injury to state a negligence claim); Williams v. Beechnut Nutrition Corp., 185 Cal.App.3d 135, 229 Cal.Rptr. 605, 608 (1986) (holding that to state a prima facie case for breach of express warranty a plaintiff must allege that the breach of warranty proximately caused an injury); Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17204, 17535 (identifying an "injury in fact" as a necessary element of a UCL claim).
Defendants contend that all of Plaintiffs' claims for relief are insufficient because no legally cognizable injuries have been pled. First, Defendants assert that the Court has determined that the limited warranty bars all of Plaintiffs' claims for incidental and consequential damages (i.e., replacement bedding, shipping and handling), leaving only claims based upon the bed itself. Defendants argue that because either replacement parts or full refunds already have been provided to each Plaintiff, Plaintiffs have no damages. However, as addressed below, see infra III.B., the Williamses allege that their replacement bed's inner parts were soaking wet and that they never were provided a refund or non-defective replacement for this second mattress. In addition, as addressed below, Plaintiffs now contend for the first time that the alleged design defect that causes mold growth and incubation lies outside of the limited warranty. Accordingly, Plaintiffs contend that their damages are not barred by the contract's language excluding incidental and consequential damages.
Second, Defendants argue that Plaintiffs' negligence and strict product liability claims are insufficient because the economic loss doctrine bars damages based on the beds themselves, replacement parts, or related shipping and handling charges. Robinson Helicopter Co., Inc. v. Dana Corp., 34 Cal.4th 979, 988, 22 Cal.Rptr.3d 352, 102 P.3d 268 (2004) (citations omitted) (concluding that when "a purchaser's expectations
In its last order, the Court determined that these same allegations were insufficient to create a cognizable injury because Plaintiffs failed to plead how the alleged design defect in the mattresses caused them to make these replacements or what the bedding replacements cost. Plaintiffs have addressed the latter concern in the TAC by alleging the cost of replacement bedding and the HVAC system. TAC ¶¶ 143-150 (alleging that Plaintiffs' replacement bedding ranged from $282.26 to $4,600.00, while the Fullers paid $9,050.42 to replace their HVAC system). The Court noted that de minimus damage claims in cases of this kind have been rejected by courts both in California and elsewhere. County of Santa Clara v. Atl. Richfield, 137 Cal.App.4th 292, 40 Cal.Rptr.3d 313, 335-36 (2006); Thiedemann v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, 183 N.J. 234, 872 A.2d 783, 795 (2005); Frank v. Daimler Chrysler Corp., 292 A.D.2d 118, 120, 127, 741 N.Y.S.2d 9 (N.Y.2002). Plaintiffs' alleged costs of replacement bedding are not de minimus, and Defendants do not appear to contend otherwise.
However, Plaintiffs still fail to plead a causal link between the mold found in the mattresses and the need to replacement their bedding and the Fullers' HVAC system. Not one named Plaintiff alleges finding mold on his or her bedding, and while the Fullers allege that mold was found in the HVAC system, they do not allege that the mattress caused this mold or how it did so. TAC ¶¶ 116, 118, 120, 121, 122, 143, 147, 148, 149 (individual plaintiffs alleging that their doctor or a mold expert urged them to replace their bedding or that their own research informed them that mold spores can become airborne, but not claiming that the bedding actually had become infected with mold or that it could not be cured by being cleaned). Moreover, even if Plaintiffs had alleged causation sufficiently, it appears, as discussed below, see infra II.B.2, that recovery of mold-related damages is prohibited under the Limited Warranty. Accordingly, the Court again concludes that Plaintiffs have failed to allege damages beyond those covered by the economic loss rule.
Third, Defendants contend that the TAC contains no allegations of a cognizable injury under the UCL. While the UCL does not permit recovery of damages as such, a plaintiff may obtain injunctive relief and/or restitution. Defendants assert that all Plaintiffs have acknowledged receiving a refund, excepting the contradictory allegations of Schlesinger and Karen and Bryan Williams. However, as discussed below, the Williamses' allegations are not contradictory. Defendants argue that although the Williamses received a replacement bed, there is no allegation that this replacement bed developed mold. While the Williamses' allegations of mold in the replacement bed are not supported by Karen Williams' complaint letter, see TAC, Ex. C, this communication does state explicitly that the replacement bed's inner parts were soaking wet. Accordingly, Karen Williams may be entitled to restitution or injunctive relief in the form of a non-defective
Plaintiffs' breach of express warranty and MMWA claims are brought on behalf of a purported class represented by each of the named plaintiffs. An explicit promise by the seller with respect to the quality of goods that is part of the bargain between the parties creates an express warranty "that the goods shall conform to the affirmation or promise." UCC § 2-313. To plead a claim for breach of express warranty, the buyer must allege that the seller "(1) made an affirmation of fact or promise or provided a description of its goods; (2) the promise or description formed part of the basis of the bargain; (3) the express warranty was breached; and (4) the breach caused injury to the plaintiff." Blennis v. Hewlett-Packard Co., No. C 07-00333, 2008 WL 818526, at *2 (N.D.Cal. Mar. 25, 2008) (citation omitted). Such a claim must describe the exact terms of the warranty, allege that the buyer reasonably relied on those terms, and that the breach of the warranty was the proximate cause of the buyer's injury. See id. A buyer also must plead that notice of the alleged breach was provided to the seller within a reasonable time after discovery of the breach. UCC § 2-607(3)(a); see also Pollard v. Saxe & Yolles Dev. Co., 12 Cal.3d 374, 380, 115 Cal.Rptr. 648, 525 P.2d 88 (1974) ("The requirement of notice of breach is . . . designed to allow the defendant opportunity for repairing the defective item, reducing damages, avoiding defective products in the future, and negotiating settlements."). The buyer has the burden of showing that reasonable notice was provided. Cardinal Health 301, Inc. v. Tyco Elecs. Corp., 169 Cal.App.4th 116, 135, 87 Cal.Rptr.3d 5 (2008).
A buyer must plead that notice of the alleged breach was provided to the seller within a reasonable time after discovery of the breach. UCC § 2-607(3)(a); see Pollard, 12 Cal.3d at 380, 115 Cal.Rptr. 648, 525 P.2d 88. Defendants contend that Plaintiffs' express warranty and MMWA claims must be dismissed because they failed to provide notice either of the original defect or that the attempted repair, replacement or refund was inadequate.
Defendants contend that Stearns alleges no new facts demonstrating that she provided pre-suit notice of her warranty
Defendants next argue that Plaintiffs fail to plead that the Williamses provided proper pre-suit notice of the mold in their replacement bed. Karen Williams first notified Defendants of the mold in her son's bed in 2006, and she did so again on May 14, 2007. Id. ¶¶ 57, 58. Select Comfort sent a new bed to Bryan Williams. Plaintiffs allege that this new bed then developed mold. Id. ¶ 57. The TAC does not allege when the Williamses called or contacted Defendants regarding the mold that developed in the replacement bed. Exhibit C to the TAC is a letter that Karen Williams sent to Select Comfort representative Lisa Riedesel on May 14, 2007. TAC, Ex. C. While the letter details the discovery of mold in Bryan Williams' first bed and the health problems Bryan Williams allegedly suffered, it does not assert that the replacement bed itself developed mold. Rather, it asserts that when the new replacement bed arrived, the Williamses "unzipped the bed to open it up and show the interior makings of the bed and to [their] worst fear, the new bed pieces were completely soaking wet!!! Immediately [they] were instructed to get the bed out of the house again storing it in plastic. So goes the story . . . it certainly appeared that the moisture problem that started the whole mold growing in the first place had again started the process on the NEW BED!!" Id. at 3-4. While Plaintiffs now plead clearly that Karen Williams contacted Defendants about problems with the replacement bed prior to filing the instant action, the notice itself mentions moisture, not mold. That said, it appears that the Karen Williams provided sufficient notice "to let the seller know that the transaction [was] still troublesome and must be watched" even if the word mold was not used specifically. See UCC § 2-607 Official Comment 4.
While the parties dispute whether Defendants responded adequately to such notice, Defendants do not argue that the remaining named Plaintiffs do not plead pre-suit notice adequately. However, Defendants do contend that Plaintiffs have not pled adequate notice to Select Comfort that they were acting on behalf of a plaintiff class prior to filing suit. The MMWA provides that no private action may be brought unless the defendant first is afforded a reasonable opportunity to cure its failure to comply, and in the case of a purported class action, "such reasonable opportunity will be afforded by the named plaintiffs and they shall at that time notify the defendant they are acting on behalf of the class." 15 U.S.C. § 2310(e).
Plaintiffs contend that Karen Williams's letter served as proper pre-suit notice on behalf of the class. The letter addresses in detail the mold found in Bryan Williams' mattress, describes the health problems that he and his girlfriend suffered that purportedly stemmed from the mold, expresses outrage at the moisture found in the replacement bed provided by Defendants, and finally requests that Select Comfort reimburse Williams for expenses totaling $32,000. TAC, Ex. C.
"A manufacturer's liability for breach of an express warranty derives from, and is measured by, the terms of that warranty." Cipollone v. Liggett Group, Inc., 505 U.S. 504, 525, 112 S.Ct. 2608, 120 L.Ed.2d 407 (1992). The express warranty at issue here provided that Sleep Number® beds would be "free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 20 years from the original purchase date" and that the "warranty is limited to product repair or replacement only." FAC, Ex. G. In its order dated June 5, 2009, the Court held that because Defendants offered repair or replacement goods, and when that remedy proved unsatisfactory provided full refunds to all named Plaintiffs, the buyer was provided with the "substantial value of the bargain" and thus suffered no cognizable injury. Order at 8-10; See UCC § 2-719 Official Comment 1; see also Marr Enters., Inc. v. Lewis Refrigeration Co., 556 F.2d 951, 955 (9th Cir.1977) ("If the seller did not replace the defective parts, the purchaser was entitled to refund of the purchase price . . . mere failure to replace or repair would not cause the court to read in the general remedy provisions of the UCC [due to failure of essential purpose]"). Moreover, the Court previously has concluded that when the named Plaintiffs accepted the refund, they essentially modified the terms of the express warranty and the remedies available for breach. See UCC § 2-719 Official Comment 1 ("parties are left free to shape their remedies to their particular requirements and reasonable agreements limiting or modifying remedies are to be given effect.")
In its order dated December 4, 2009, the Court noted that Plaintiffs Schlesinger and Karen Williams had alleged for the first time in the SAC that their request for a refund was refused. Dkt. No. 70 at 13-14. While the FAC was silent as to whether Karen Williams received a refund, it stated explicitly that Schlesinger in fact did receive a refund from Select Comfort when he complained about mold. Plaintiffs offered no explanation for this directly contradictory statement of material fact as to Schlesinger or newly-alleged fact as to Karen Williams. In the TAC, Schlesinger and Karen Williams again allege that their request for a refund was refused and again fail to provide any explanation for the contradiction in their prior pleadings. TAC ¶ 60 (alleging that Karen Williams "requested in writing a refund and reimbursement for all expenses related to the moldy bed, an amount which equaled approximately $32,000.00" and that this was rejected); id. ¶ 62 (stating that "Schlesinger requested a refund and reimbursement for all expenses and property damage he sustained related to the moldy bed" and that the "demand went unanswered").
In light of these contradictions, Defendants contend that the Court need not accept these allegations as true. MTS & D at 6, citing See Azadpour v. Sun Microsys., Inc., No. 06-3272, 2007 WL 2141079, at *2 n. 2 (N.D.Cal. July 23, 2007) ("Where allegations in an amended complaint contradict those in a prior complaint, a district
In both cases, Select Comfort's failure to provide a refund or repair the mold found in the customers' beds would constitute a potential breach of the warranty if proper notice and an opportunity to cure were provided. Because Karen Williams' allegation that she did not receive a refund for her defective replacement bed (or a second non-defective replacement) does not contradict a previous pleading, the Court will accept it as true. However, the Court will not accept Schlesinger's allegation that he did not receive a refund given Plaintiffs' past contradictory pleadings and repeated failure to provide an explanation despite the Court's express concern in its prior order. Dkt. No. 70 at 13 ("Plaintiffs offer no explanation for this directly contradictory statement of a material fact as to Schlesinger or newly-alleged fact as to Williams").
The express warranty excludes recovery for "special or consequential damages." FAC, Ex. G. The enforceability of such an exclusion is addressed in the California Commercial Code, which provides in pertinent part that:
Cal. Com.Code § 2719(3).
In its last order, the Court concluded that the limited warranty is not procedurally or substantively unconscionable. Dkt. No. 70 at 14-16 (holding that providing a refund, even though it is not mentioned as a remedy within the limited warranty, is consistent with California public policy as expressed in the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act), citing See Cal. Civ.Code § 1793.2(d)(1) ("[I]f the manufacturer or its representative in this state does not service or repair the goods to conform to the applicable express warranties after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer shall either replace the goods or reimburse the buyer in an amount equal to the purchase price paid by the buyer, less that amount directly attributable to sue by the buyer prior to the discovery of the nonconformity"). Plaintiffs do not reassert their previous unconscionability argument in their opposition to the instant motion.
Instead, Plaintiffs now argue that because the parties modified the terms of the warranty by substituting refunds for repair or replacement parts, Plaintiffs should be able to modify the terms of the warranty to include recovery of consequential and incidental damages. However, a modification to a warranty or contract requires proof of mutual assent. See Comerica Bank v. Whitehall Specialties, Inc., 352 F.Supp.2d 1077, 1081 (C.D.Cal.2004), citing PMC, Inc. v. Porthole Yachts, Ltd., 65 Cal.App.4th 882, 887, 76 Cal.Rptr.2d 832, 834 (1998). ("[a] valid modification . . . requires proof of . . . mutual assent.") Defendants do not assent to modifying the limited warranty to provide Plaintiffs with a right to incidental or consequential damages.
Finally, Plaintiffs argue that Defendants made a misrepresentation in offering the warranty and that in turn Plaintiffs now can "back[] out of the deal." Opp. Mot. 17-18, citing Western Filter Corp. v. Argan, Inc., 540 F.3d 947, 952 (2008) ("If, prior to closing, either the seller or buyer discovers that a representation or warranty made by the other party is not true, they have grounds for backing out of the deal.") This argument is perplexing. Plaintiffs appear to assert that they can "back out" of the warranty while at the same time alleging that they are entitled to damages for breach. For this reason, and because Plaintiffs do not explain how Defendants misrepresented the warranty, the Court concludes that the warranty limits Plaintiffs' entitlement to consequential and incidental damages.
"In order to establish negligence under California law, a plaintiff must establish four required elements: (1) duty; (2) breach; (3) causation; and (4) damages." Ileto v. Glock Inc., 349 F.3d 1191, 1203 (9th Cir.2003) (citation omitted). To prevail on a strict products liability claim, a plaintiff must show that a "manufacturer is or should have been aware that a product is unreasonably dangerous absent a warning and such warning is feasible, the manufacturer will be held strictly
As discussed above, Plaintiffs' allegations of loss and causation are insufficient. See supra II.B.1 (concluding that the Fullers
Plaintiffs claim that the mold-inducing defect renders the mattresses an unreasonably dangerous product. They contend that the bed is designed to incubate mold—a condition which normally does not occur in beds used in their customary manner—and that the mold creates extreme danger to Plaintiffs and others similarly situated. Opp. at 16, citing TAC ¶¶ 77, 108, 135, 216, 219, 224, 231. Plaintiffs argue that this problem "is magnified by the fact that a simple straight forward instruction on notice would allow a customer/user to look inside the bed and see if mold actually exists." Opp. at 16. However, Plaintiffs' factual allegations relate almost entirely to Select Comfort's 2005 reformulation of a new mold-inhibiting agent and the fact that Select Comfort has not notified customers of the alleged defect. Plaintiffs' remaining allegations state in a conclusory fashion that the mattress was a "defective, contaminated, and dangerous product, and unsafe for the use and purpose for which it was intended when used and applied as recommended by defendants." TAC ¶ 108. Such allegations do not meet the pleading standard of Fed.R.Civ.P. 8 and need not be accepted as true. Clegg, 18 F.3d at 754-755.
Plaintiffs allege for the first time that the mold in their mattresses was caused by a design defect and that the Limited Warranty does not extend to design defects. Based on these allegations, Plaintiffs argue that they can avoid the limitations of the warranty, including its bar on recovery for incidental and consequential damages. The Limited Warranty states:
FAC Ex. A (Limited Warranty) at 18 of 56. (emphasis added).
Defendants argue persuasively that the term "workmanship" is broad and includes the quality and skill that is part of the design process for the bed. Reply at 8, citing Koulajian v. Trek Bicycle Corp., No. 90-Civ-3156(LJF), 1992 WL 28884, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 11, 1992) (holding that "the warranty's reference to `workmanship' could refer to bicycle designs as well as to implementation of those designs in the manufacturing process."); see also In re Saturn L-Series Timing Chain Prods. Liab. Litig., MDL No. 1920, 2008 WL 4866604, at *14 (D.Neb. Nov. 7, 2008) (internal citations omitted) (concluding that "a defect related to materials and workmanship and a design defect are substantially the same in the context of [the] action" and reasoning that it would be "absurd to interpret [defendant's] written warranty as not covering any defect in materials and workmanship if the defect could simultaneously be attributable to a design implemented by the company").
The Ninth Circuit has considered the meaning of "workmanship" in the context of exclusions in insurance contracts and has concluded that "workmanship" includes defects in design. Tzung v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 873 F.2d 1338, 1341 (9th Cir.1989) ("We believe instead that an unstrained interpretation of the exclusion for `faulty workmanship' includes losses caused by defects in the design and construction of the building.") Other courts have reached the opposite conclusion. See Lombard Corporation v. Quality Aluminum Products Co., 261 F.2d 336, 338-39 (6th Cir.1958) (distinguishing between a design defect and a defect in material or workmanship), see also Brothers v. Hewlett-Packard Co., No. C-06-02254 RMW, 2007 WL 485979, at *4 (N.D.Cal. Feb. 12, 2007) ("[T]he Limited Warranty does not guarantee against design defects, it guarantees against defects in materials and workmanship . . . Unlike defects in materials or workmanship, a design defect is manufactured in accordance with the product's intended specifications.").
However, the Court need not construe the terms of the Limited Warranty at all. As discussed previously, the named Plaintiffs invoked their rights under the warranty, and Defendants provided refunds and/or replacements for the moldy mattresses. UCC § 2-719 Official Comment 1. Even if the Court were to ignore Ninth Circuit authority and conclude that the alleged design defect was not covered by the "materials and workmanship" language, these terms necessarily would include the alleged design defect at the point that Plaintiffs' recovered under the limited warranty.
The UCL prohibits "any unlawful, unfair or fraudulent business act or practice and unfair, deceptive, untrue or misleading advertising." Cal. Bus. & Prof.Code § 17200. Accordingly, "[a]n act can be alleged to violate any or all of the three prongs of the UCL—unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent." Berryman v. Merit Prop. Mgmt., Inc., 152 Cal.App.4th 1544, 1554, 62 Cal.Rptr.3d 177 (2007).
Defendants contend that Plaintiffs' UCL claim is barred by the statute of limitations. A claim for relief brought pursuant to the UCL must be "commenced within four years after the cause of action accrued." Cal. Bus. & Prof.Code § 17208; see also Harshbarger v. Philip Morris, Inc., No. 02-05267 JSW, 2003 WL 23342396, at *5 (N.D.Cal. April 1, 2003). In its last order, the Court did not determine whether or not the discovery rule applied to Plaintiffs' UCL claims because Plaintiffs failed to allege when any of the individual plaintiffs actually discovered the mold in their Sleep Number® bed. According to the TAC, all of the named Plaintiffs purchased their Sleep Number® bed more than four years prior to the filing of the instant action.
Courts have reached different conclusions as to when a UCL claim accrues. Compare Rambus Inc. v. Samsung Elecs. Co., Nos. C-05-02298 & C-05-00334, 2007 WL 39374, at *3 (N.D.Cal. Jan. 4, 2007) ("[plaintiff] cannot rely upon the discovery rule for its Section 17200 claim"); Snapp & Assocs. Ins. Servs., Inc. v. Malcolm Bruce Burlingame Robertson, 96 Cal.App.4th 884, 891, 117 Cal.Rptr.2d 331 (2002) ("The `discovery rule,' which delays accrual of certain causes of action until the plaintiff has actual or constructive knowledge of facts giving rise to the claim, does not apply to unfair competition actions. Thus, `the statute begins to run . . . irrespective of whether plaintiff knew of its accrual, unless plaintiff can successfully invoke the equitable tolling doctrine.'") (citation omitted), with Mass. Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Superior Court, 97 Cal.App.4th 1282, 1295, 119 Cal.Rptr.2d 190 (2002) (statute of limitations for a UCL claim "will probably run from the time a reasonable person would have discovered the basis for a claim").
In Karl Storz Endoscopy-Am., Inc. v. Surgical Tech., Inc., 285 F.3d 848, 857 (9th Cir.2002), the Ninth Circuit held that claims under California Business and Professions Code § 17200 et seq. are subject to a four-year statute of limitations which begins to run on the date the cause of action accrued, not on the date of discovery. However, in Betz v. Trainer Wortham & Co., 236 Fed.Appx. 253, 256 (9th Cir.2007), another Ninth Circuit panel observed that it remains "an open question under California law whether the discovery rule applies to unfair business practices claims." Subsequently, in Broberg v. Guardian Life Ins. Co. of Am., 171 Cal.App.4th 912, 920-21, 90 Cal.Rptr.3d 225, review denied (2009), the California Court of Appeal made clear that the discovery rule applies to unfair business practice claims "based on the defendant's allegedly deceptive marketing materials and sales practices, which is simply a different legal theory for challenging fraudulent conduct and where the harm from the unfair conduct will not reasonably be discovered until a future date." However, the UCL unfair competition claim alleged here is distinguishable from that in Broberg, as Plaintiffs do not allege a UCL claim sounding in fraud or misrepresentation.
For an action based upon an allegedly unlawful business practice, the UCL "borrows violations of other laws and treats them as unlawful practices that the unfair competition law makes independently actionable." Cel-Tech Communications, Inc. v. Los Angeles Cellular Tel. Co., 20 Cal.4th 163, 180, 83 Cal.Rptr.2d 548, 973 P.2d 527 (1999); see also Farmers Ins. Exchange v. Superior Court, 2 Cal.4th 377, 383, 6 Cal.Rptr.2d 487, 826 P.2d 730 (1992). However, allegations in support of such a claim "must state with reasonable particularity the facts supporting the statutory elements" of the alleged violation. Silicon Knights, Inc. v. Crystal Dynamics, Inc., 983 F.Supp. 1303, 1316 (N.D.Cal.1997), quoting Khoury v. Maly's of Cal., Inc., 14 Cal.App.4th 612, 619, 17 Cal.Rptr.2d 708 (1993). Plaintiffs' negligence and product liability claims may not constitute predicate acts for a UCL claim. See Hartless v. Clorox Co., No. 06-CV-2705, 2007 WL 3245260, at *5 (S.D.Cal. Nov. 2, 2007) (common-law claims cannot form the basis for a UCL claim). Accordingly, only Plaintiffs' warranty claims could serve as a predicate for the "unlawful" prong. For the reasons discussed above, it appears that the only plaintiff who has alleged a warranty claim adequately is Karen Williams, who alleges both that she provided pre-suit notice of the moisture found in her replacement bed and that she never received a refund or second replacement. See supra II.B.2.
Plaintiffs also allege a "standalone" UCL claim, see TAC ¶¶ 215-239, accusing Defendants of unfair business practices. "[A] practice may be deemed unfair even if not specifically proscribed by some other law." Cel-Tech, 20 Cal.4th at 180, 83 Cal.Rptr.2d 548, 973 P.2d 527. However, Plaintiffs again fail to satisfy the first element of an unfair business practices claim under Camacho v. Automobile Club of Southern California, 142 Cal.App.4th 1394, 48 Cal.Rptr.3d 770 (2006). See Kilgore v. Keybank, 712 F.Supp.2d 939, 951-52 (N.D.Cal.2010) (concluding that the Camacho unfairness standard applies within the context of a consumer unfair business practice action), citing Davis v. Ford Motor Credit Co., 179 Cal.App.4th 581, 596-98, 101 Cal.Rptr.3d 697 (Cal.App.2d Dist. 2009). In Camacho, the court stated that a viable claim for relief may exist if the following conditions are met: "(1) the consumer injury must be substantial; (2) the injury must not be outweighed by any countervailing benefits to consumers or competition; and (3) it must be an injury that consumers themselves could not reasonably have avoided." Camacho, 142 Cal. App.4th at 1403, 48 Cal.Rptr.3d 770.
Plaintiffs allege that the substantial consumer injury here consists of the monetary expense of replacing their bedding and, in the case of the Fullers, their HVAC system. TAC ¶ 226 (referring back to allegations laying out each named plaintiff's expense for replacing bedding and the Fullers' HVAC system). While these costs are not de minimus, they are consequential and thus are barred under the Limited Warranty. See supra II.B.2.b. Accordingly, they cannot be the basis for Plaintiffs' substantial consumer injury in connection with their UCL claim.
A UCL action is equitable in nature, and damages cannot be recovered. Korea Supply Co. v. Lockheed Martin Corp., 29 Cal.4th 1134, 1144, 131 Cal.Rptr.2d 29, 63 P.3d 937 (2003). "[A] plaintiff may obtain restitution and/or injunctive relief against unfair or unlawful practices in order to protect the public and restore to the parties in interest money or property taken by means of unfair competition." State v. Altus Fin., S.A., 36 Cal.4th 1284, 1303, 32 Cal.Rptr.3d 498, 116 P.3d 1175 (2005), quoting Kraus v. Trinity Management Services, Inc. 23 Cal.4th 116, 126, 96 Cal.Rptr.2d 485, 999 P.2d 718 (2000); see Bus. & Prof.Code, § 17204. However, "[a]s amended pursuant to the 2004 voter approval of Proposition 64, the UCL in § 17204 now requires a plaintiff to establish that it has `suffered injury in fact and has lost money or property.'" Walker v. Geico General Ins. Co., 558 F.3d 1025, 1027 (9th Cir.2009), quoting Californians for Disability Rights v. Mervyn's, LLC, 39 Cal.4th 223, 46 Cal.Rptr.3d 57, 138 P.3d 207, 209-10 (2006). As discussed above, almost all of the named Plaintiffs concede that they have received a refund for their moldy mattresses.
However, notwithstanding Karen Williams' ability to plead injury-in-fact, it appears that all of the named Plaintiffs lack standing to pursue injunctive relief. In order to obtain prospective injunctive relief, a plaintiff must establish that there is a "likelihood of future injury." White v. Lee, 227 F.3d 1214, 1242 (9th Cir.2000). "Past exposure to illegal conduct does not in itself show a present case or controversy regarding injunctive relief if unaccompanied by any continuing, present adverse effects." Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife, 504 U.S. 555, 564, 112 S.Ct. 2130, 119 L.Ed.2d 351 (1992). As Defendants point out, "Plaintiffs do not allege that they still use their beds, that they will use their beds in the future, or that they will purchase another Select Comfort bed at any time." See also Stickrath v. Globalstar, Inc., 527 F.Supp.2d 992 (N.D.Cal.2007), quoting Hodgers-Durgin v. de la Vina, 199 F.3d 1037, 1045 (9th Cir.1999).
In order for a class to be certified, the class must be ascertainable. Bishop v. Saab Auto. A.B., No. CV 95-0721 JGD (JRX), 1996 WL 33150020, at *4 (C.D.Cal. Feb. 16, 1996), citing DeBremaecker v. Short, 433 F.2d 733 (5th Cir.1970). A
The TAC defines the proposed plaintiff class as follows, "[a]ll persons located within California or Florida who used and/or purchased the Sleep Number Bed® by Select Comfort from January 1, 1987 through the present and whose beds contain mold." TAC ¶ 88. Defendants argue that because the class does not exclude persons who already have received refunds or replacement parts or who have not suffered any damages at all, it is not ascertainable. The Court agrees. Defendants point out that "all persons who have merely `used' a Sleep Number bed in the past twenty-three years, regardless of frequency of use" would be members of the class. MTS & D at 21. This could include hotel guests who spent a single night on a Sleep Number Bed®. "Such members have no injury and no standing to sue." Hovsepian v. Apple, Inc., No. 08-5788 JF (PVT), 2009 WL 5069144, at *6 (N.D.Cal. 2009); see also Bishop, 1996 WL 33150020, at *5 ("courts have refused to certify class actions based on similar `tendency to fail' theories because the purported class includes members who have suffered no injury and therefore lack standing to sue.").
Defendants also contend that in the instant case individual issues will predominate and the action will become unmanageable. They point to the differing claims of property damage even among named plaintiffs, including the Fullers' unique claim that they had to replace their HVAC system. They suggest that such claims inevitably will raise issues of causation that are individualized and do not lend themselves well to class treatment. In addition, as the Court has concluded above, recovery for the alleged damage to bedding and related shipping and handling costs appears to be precluded by the Limited Warranty's bar on consequential damages.
Defendants also assert correctly that substantial statute of limitations issues are likely to complicate the class claims. The proposed class encompasses individuals who purchased their mattresses as long as twenty years ago, with no limitation as to when such individuals may have discovered mold in their Sleep Number® beds. Even if such a limitation were incorporated in accordance with California's delayed discovery rule, there still would have to be an individualized inquiry as to each class
Finally, Defendants argue that Plaintiffs' express warranty claims are inappropriate for class treatment. The Court agrees. The express warranty claims involve elements that are individual to each purported class member, such as the provision of notice, an opportunity to cure, and reliance. Tietsworth v. Sears, 720 F.Supp.2d 1123, 1147-48 (N.D.Cal.2010) (citation omitted); see also Cole v. Gen. Motors., 484 F.3d 717, 724-30 (5th Cir. 2007) (explaining why certain warranty claims are inappropriate for class treatment). The TAC represents Plaintiffs' fourth attempt to plead sufficient class allegations. Each of Defendants' arguments was raised on their last motion to strike, and the Court granted that motion. Plaintiffs have not altered their class definition in response to the Court's previously expressed concerns, nor have they attempted to address the majority of Defendants' arguments in support of the instant motion to strike. Accordingly, because further attempts to amend class-wide allegations appear to be futile, the motion to strike class allegations will be granted without leave to amend.
Plaintiffs seek leave to file their proposed fourth amended complaint ("PFAC"). In the PFAC, Plaintiffs plead individual and class claims for negligence, strict liability, and violations of the UCL based on personal injury. Plaintiffs also substantially re-plead the allegations of the TAC. In her original complaint, Stearns alleged individual and class claims for strict product liability, breach of express and implied warranties, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation, including claims for relief based upon alleged personal injury. On October 1, 2008, the Court dismissed that complaint, struck the class claims, provided guidance on how to plead the alleged claims adequately, and encouraged Stearns to narrow the proposed class. Dkt. No. 28 at 5-6, 8, 13.
Plaintiffs did not re-allege their personal injury claims in the FAC, but they did continue to assert a nationwide class, added five named plaintiffs and one Defendant (Sleep Train), and alleged seventeen claims for relief. On June 5, 2009, the Court granted Defendants' motion to dismiss the FAC and granted limited leave to amend, specifically instructing Plaintiffs that they must seek leave of Court to add any new claims. Then, on July 6, 2009, Plaintiffs filed their SAC, which re-introduced personal injury claims. Because Plaintiffs failed to seek leave of Court to expand the scope of the FAC, the Court granted Defendants' motion to strike the personal injury claims. On January 4, 2010, Plaintiffs filed the operative TAC. On March 12, 2010, the same day that Defendants filed the instant motion to dismiss, Plaintiffs filed their motion for leave to file the PFAC.
Plaintiffs allege that Stearns, Bryan Williams, Dennis Fuller, Bonnie Fuller, Ruth Rose, and Dan Schlesinger "suffered injuries and received treatment as a result of defendants [sic] product . . ." PFAC ¶ 134. They also claim that "[t]he full nature and extent of said injuries are not known to plaintiffs and [] request[] [leave] to amend this complaint to conform to proof at time of trial." Id. The allegations of personal injury in the PFAC include the following:
Id. ¶ 169. Plaintiffs allege that they have incurred and will continue to incur medical expenses as a result of these personal injuries and will suffer loss of income, wages, and other pecuniary consequences. Id. ¶¶ 135, 136, 137, 170, 171, 172.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(a) governs the amendment of pleadings. The Ninth Circuit has held that the rule should be applied with "extreme liberality." DCD Programs, Ltd. v. Leighton, 833 F.2d 183, 186 (9th Cir.1987); Howey v. United States, 481 F.2d 1187, 1190 (9th Cir.1973). However, leave to amend "is not to be granted automatically." Zivkovic v. S. Cal. Edison Co., 302 F.3d 1080, 1087 (9th Cir.2002), quoting Jackson v. Bank of Hawaii, 902 F.2d 1385, 1387 (9th Cir.1990). Rather, a court must consider whether the proposed amendment (1) would be futile, (2) would prejudice the non-moving party, (3) was brought in bad faith, or (4) resulted from undue delay. Genentech, Inc. v. Abbott Labs., 127 F.R.D. 529, 530 (N.D.Cal.1989), citing DCD Programs, 833 F.2d at 186. Absent prejudice, or a strong showing of any of the remaining factors, there exists a presumption under Rule 15(a) in favor of granting leave to amend. See Lowrey v. Tex. A & M Univ. Sys., 117 F.3d 242, 245 (5th Cir.1997).
Defendants carry the burden of showing why leave to amend should not be granted. Genentech, 127 F.R.D. at 530-31. They contend that the proposed amendments: (1) would be futile; (2) would cause them substantial prejudice; (3) are brought in bad faith; and (3) are the result of unreasonable delay.
"[C]ourts will determine the legal sufficiency of a proposed amendment using the same standard as applied on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, see Miller v. Rykoff-Sexton, Inc., 845 F.2d 209, 214 (9th Cir. 1988), [however] such issues are often more appropriately raised in a motion to dismiss rather than in an opposition to a motion for leave to amend." (SAES Getters S.p.A. v. Aeronex, Inc., 219 F.Supp.2d 1081, 1086 (S.D.Cal.2002), citing William W. Schwarzer, et al., CAL. PRAC. GUIDE: FED. CIV. PROC. BEFORE TRIAL § 8:422); see also Centeno v. Wilson, No. 1:08-CV-1435-FJM, 2010 WL 1980157, at *1 (E.D.Cal. May 17, 2010) ("We apply the same standard for determining the legal sufficiency of a proposed
Plaintiffs' newly-framed class claims for personal injury also appear to be futile. In dismissing Stearns' original complaint, the Court noted the inherent difficulty and problems posed by class-wide personal injury claims. Dkt. 28 at 11-12, citing Kennedy v. Baxter Healthcare Corp., 43 Cal.App.4th 799, 50 Cal.Rptr.2d 736, 744, 743-44 (1996) ("As the California Supreme Court has observed class actions for personal injuries in mass tort litigation present a multitude of problems."); see also Zinser v. Accufix Research Inst., 253 F.3d 1180, 1186 (9th Cir.2001) ("Our circuit has recognized the potential difficulties of `commonality' and `management' inherent in certifying products liability class actions."). The Court's previously expressed view that personal injury claims are not appropriate for class treatment has not changed since its holding almost two years ago.
In support of their individual personal injury claims, Plaintiffs allege that they have suffered various injuries, including but not limited to, lung and pulmonary distress, skin irritation, blemishes, other skin infection treatment, and other lung related treatment. PFAC ¶¶ 134, 170. Plaintiffs also plead collectively that they had to pay for "checkups, medication, diagnostic testing, biopsies, medical, surgical, and other related expenses" and that they "will be forced to pay" for these same medical expenses in the future as a result of "negligence of the defendants." Id. ¶¶ 135, 136, 170, 171. These conclusory and generalized allegations do not meet the pleading standard of Fed.R.Civ.P. 8. See Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. at 1949 ("a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do."); see also Clegg, 18 F.3d at 754-755 (9th Cir.1994). Plaintiffs' allegations with respect to causation suffer from the same deficiency. See e.g., PFAC ¶¶ 134, 169 (concluding that "as a direct and proximate result of the negligence of the defendants, and each of them, plaintiff suffered grievous personal injuries . . .). However, Plaintiffs' failure to plead their personal injury claims with sufficient specificity may be cured by amendment.
Defendants contend that allowing Stearns to amend her individual personal injury claims is futile because Stearns waived these claims when she neglected to re-allege them in the FAC after her original complaint was dismissed. The Ninth Circuit recently clarified that "a plaintiff who omits previously dismissed claims from an amended complaint [does not] waive his right to reallege these claims in further amendments at the district court
Defendants also argue that allowing Schlesinger and Bryan Williams to assert personal injury claims would be futile because the claims are barred by the applicable two-year statute of limitations. See Cal.Code. Civ. P. § 335.1. Defendants point out that Schlesinger alleges he first discovered mold in his mattress in 2003 or 2004,
"A cause of action normally accrues when under the substantive law the wrongful act is done and the liability or obligation arises, that is, when the action may be brought." Clarke v. Upton, 703 F.Supp.2d 1037, 1045 (E.D.Cal.2010), quoting Mosesian v. County of Fresno, 28 Cal.App.3d 493, 500, 104 Cal.Rptr. 655 (1972). "An exception to the general rule for defining the accrual of a cause of action-indeed, the `most important' one-is the discovery rule." Id., quoting Norgart v. Upjohn Co., 21 Cal.4th 383, 397-398, 87 Cal.Rptr.2d 453, 981 P.2d 79 (1999). "[U]nder the delayed discovery rule, a cause of action accrues and the statute of limitations begins to run when the plaintiff has reason to suspect an injury and some wrongful cause, unless the plaintiff pleads and proves that a reasonable investigation at that time would not have revealed a factual basis for that particular cause of action. In that case, the statute of limitations for that cause of action will be tolled until such time as a reasonable investigation would have revealed its factual basis." Id., quoting Fox v. Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., 35 Cal.4th 797, 802, 27 Cal.Rptr.3d 661, 110 P.3d 914 (2005); see also Hopkins v. Dow Corning Corp., 33 F.3d 1116, 1120 (9th Cir.1994) ("Under California's discovery rule, the accrual date of a cause of action is delayed until the plaintiff is aware of her injury and its negligent cause."). "To invoke the discovery rule, plaintiff must plead facts which show `(1) the time and manner of discovery and (2) the inability to have made earlier discovery despite reasonable diligence.'" Hopkins, 33 F.3d at 1120, quoting Saliter v. Pierce Bros. Mortuaries, 81 Cal.App.3d 292, 146 Cal.Rptr. 271, 274 (Ct.App.1978)
While Schlesinger first discovered mold in his mattress in 2003 of 2004, it is unclear from the PFAC, as it is currently pled, when Schlesinger first experienced personal injuries and when he realized that these injuries were caused by the mold in his mattress. While the omission of such facts highlights a deficiency in Schlesinger's pleading of the delayed discovery rule, it also prevents the Court from making a definitive determination that Schlesinger's claim is time-barred. Bryan Williams' pleadings present a different set of alleged facts. In her letter to Defendants dated May 14, 2007, Karen Williams states that mold was discovered in the bed on October 22, 2006, that "upon discovery of the moldy bed, it was immediately removed from the home," and that "upon discovery of the moldy bed, [sic] immediately raised the question; could the MOLD found covering the inside of the Sleep Number bed possibly have had anything [sic] thing to do with the illness' [sic],
While they cite no legal authority in support of their argument, Plaintiffs appear to contend that the statute of limitations with respect to Schlesinger's and Bryan Williams' personal injury claims also should be tolled because Defendants made affirmations that the mattresses would not "incubate" or "produce" mold and were not the cause of their personal injuries. "Under California law, equitable tolling will be warranted where the defendants have induced the plaintiff to delay filing until after the statute of limitations has run." Johnson v. Riverside Healthcare System, LP, 534 F.3d 1116, 1127 (9th Cir.2008), citing Mills v. Forestex Co., 108 Cal.App.4th 625, 652, 134 Cal.Rptr.2d 273 (2003) (citation omitted). While the PFAC presently does not allege facts that would support equitable tolling on this basis, it is not apparent at this time that Plaintiffs cannot do so.
Finally, Defendants argue that Bryan Williams cannot maintain his personal injury claim in this action because he is litigating the same claim against the same Defendants in the San Mateo Superior Court. See Declaration of Andrew V. Stearns in Support of Plaintiffs' Reply to Motion for Leave to File Fourth Amended Class Action Complaint, Ex. G (Complaint filed in Bryan Williams v. Select Comfort Retail Corp., et al, No. Civ. 477710, dated October 22, 2008).
Accordingly, while Plaintiffs' individual personal injury claims are not pled with the detail required by Fed.R.Civ.P. 8, Defendants have not shown that allowing
To overcome Rule 15(a)'s liberal policy with respect to the amendment of pleadings a showing of prejudice must be substantial. Genentech, 127 F.R.D. at 530-31. Neither delay resulting from the proposed amendment nor the prospect of additional discovery needed by the non-moving party in itself constitutes a sufficient showing of prejudice. Genentech, 127 F.R.D. at 530-32; United States v. Continental Ill. Nat'l Bank and Trust Co. of Chicago, 889 F.2d 1248, 1255 (2d Cir. 1989). Nonetheless, "[d]istrict courts do not abuse their discretion when they deny motions to amend that would cause undue delay and prejudice." Dong Ah Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. v. Glasforms, Inc., No. C 06-3359 JF (RS), 2009 WL 667171, at *2 (N.D.Cal. Mar. 10, 2009), citing Texaco, Inc. v. Ponsoldt, 939 F.2d 794, 798 (9th Cir.1991); see also Lockheed Martin Corp. v. Network Solutions, Inc., 194 F.3d 980, 986 (9th Cir.1999) ("A need to reopen discovery and therefore delay the proceedings supports a district court's finding of prejudice from a delayed motion to amend").
Defendants contend that they will suffer prejudice if Plaintiffs are allowed to file a fifth complaint because rather than conducting an investigation, Plaintiffs have "repeatedly insisted on bringing the broadest, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink claims possible and have insisted on attempting to maintain the suit as an unworkable class action, in an attempt to expand this case into something it is not, thereby necessitating Defendants' successive motions to dismiss and strike. Defendants argue that at some point, forcing [them] to again incur thousands of dollars to dismiss the complaint becomes prejudicial and unfair." Opp. Mot. At 24. Moreover, Defendants argue that in the two years since litigation has commenced, much of the property that Plaintiffs claim has been destroyed by mold has been lost or altered, making Defendants ability to defend against such claims more difficult. Finally, Defendants argue that permitting Plaintiffs to add personal injury claims will change the gravamen of the case, resulting in prejudice to Defendants. See Morongo Band of Mission Indians, 893 F.2d 1074, 1079 (9th Cir. 1990) ("The new claims set forth in the amended complaint would have greatly altered the nature of the litigation and would have required defendants to have undertaken, at a late hour, an entirely new course of defense. Again, this factor is not fatal to amendment, DCD Programs, Ltd., 833 F.2d at 186, but it enters into the balance.")
Plaintiffs contend that they will suffer prejudice if they are not permitted to amend to plead their personal injury claims, but they do not address Defendants' concerns. Plaintiffs also argue that they need not seek leave to plead these claims because a "plaintiff is not prohibited from realleging claims" that he has omitted in previous pleadings. Reply at 10.
The Court acknowledges the expense incurred by Defendants in defending this action and their frustration with litigating Plaintiffs' four failed attempts to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. However, Plaintiffs have attempted to plead individual personal injury claims only on one prior occasion.
"Examples of bad faith have included-but are not limited to-instances in which a party makes a claim without alleging any newly discovered facts, makes a tactical decision to omit a claim to avoid summary judgment, or includes a claim to harass or burden the other party." E.g., Ascon Properties, Inc. v. Mobil Oil Co., 866 F.2d 1149, 1161 (9th Cir.1989); Acri v. International Ass'n of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, 781 F.2d 1393, 1398 (9th Cir. 1986); M/V American Queen v. San Diego Marine Const. Corp., 708 F.2d 1483, 1492 (9th Cir.1983). Defendants argue that Plaintiffs chose not to allege their personal injury claims in the FAC in a tactical move to preserve their class claims and counsel's fees, but "now that Plaintiffs' hopes of bringing a class action have faded, they have brought individual personal injury claims, gambling that something will go forward." Opp. Mot. At 23. Moreover, Defendants argue that it is "bad faith for B. Williams to assert a personal injury claim because he has an identical claim pending in California state court against Select Comfort." Id. at 23 n. 18.
While the pendency of Bryan Williams's state court claim raises the possibility of duplication of resources or conflicting determinations, it does not establish bad faith. Plaintiffs argue that Defendants have been on notice of Plaintiffs' personal injury claims through their customer complaints, original pleading and SAC, and communications between counsel. The Court concludes that Plaintiffs' pleading practice does not rise to the level of bad faith.
While delay alone will not justify the denial of leave to amend, DCD Programs, 833 F.2d at 186, "`late amendments to assert new theories are not reviewed favorably when the facts and the theory have been known to the party seeking amendment since the inception of the cause of action.'" Dong Ah Tire & Rubber Co., 2009 WL 667171, at *3, quoting Acri v. International Ass'n of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, 781 F.2d 1393, 1398 (9th Cir.1986) (citations omitted). Plaintiffs first alleged personal injury claims in their original complaint and then attempted to allege the same claims in their SAC. Accordingly, it does not appear that Plaintiffs purposefully or negligently delayed in pleading personal injury claims. In fact, with the exception of the FAC, Plaintiffs have attempted to plead personal injury
Good cause therefor appearing, Defendants' motions to strike Plaintiffs' class allegations and dismiss the TAC are GRANTED as set forth herein. Plaintiffs' motion for leave to file the PFAC is DENIED. Plaintiffs may file a new pleading limited to their individual personal injury claims, as well as Karen and Bryan Williams' claims for negligence, strict product liability, breach of express warranty, and violations of the MMWA. Schlesinger may attempt to explain the factual contradictions with respect to his warranty claims. Any such pleading shall be filed within thirty (30) days of the date of this order. Plaintiffs shall not add any new defendants, plaintiffs or claims for relief without leave of Court.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Finally, Stearns alleges for the first time that the refund she received ($1,894.25) did not compensate her for "the entire bed purchase price, the property damages she sustained or for costs associated with replacing the defective bed." TAC ¶ 64. Stearns does not distinguish between the bed purchase price and other costs (e.g., replacement bedding and shipping and handling costs) sufficiently to put Defendants on notice or make clear to the Court whether the sum of $1,894.25 compensated her fully for the original purchase price of the bed.
Defendants also assert a passing challenge to venue with respect to the Fullers (who are Florida residents) in a footnote of their opposition papers to Plaintiffs' motion for leave to file the PFAC. This is an inappropriate vehicle for raising a motion to dismiss for lack of venue. If Defendants wish to challenge venue as to the Fullers they may do so in a future properly noticed motion.
