Galicia v. Country Coach, Inc.
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
Rodolfo and Rita Galicia appeal the district court’s rulings granting Country Coach, Inc. (“Country Coach”), McMahon’s RV (“McMahon’s”) and Caterpillar, Inc. (“Caterpillar”) summary judgment.
(a)
The district court did not err in granting McMahon’s summary judgment. The Galieias’ Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (“Song-Beverly”) claim against McMahon’s could proceed only if McMahon’s sold the Galieias a motorhome in California. Cal. Civ.Code § 1793.2(a)(1)(A). A “sale” occurs under California law at the time title to the goods passes from the seller to the buyer. Cal. Civ.Code § 1791(n). California Commercial Code Section 2401(2) provides the de
(b)
The district court properly denied the Galicias’ motion to amend their Complaint to add a new claim against McMahon’s on the eve of trial. “A district court acts within its discretion to deny leave to amend when amendment would be futile, when it would cause undue prejudice to the defendant, or when it is sought in bad faith.” Chappel v. Laboratory Corp. of America., 232 F.3d 719, 725-26 (9th Cir. 2000). The district court denied the motion, finding that McMahon’s would be prejudiced. The Galicias did not include a claim under the Magnuson-Moss Consumer Warranty Act (“Magnuson-Moss”), 15 U.S.C. § 2301, against McMahon’s in their Complaint, nor any common-law implied warranty claim. They attempted to add these claims eight days before trial was scheduled to begin, after summary judgment was granted in McMahon’s favor. Had the district court allowed the amendment, McMahon’s would not be able to move for summary judgment on the new claims and would need to take new depositions and prepare and amend them pleadings, all on the eve of trial. Accordingly, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion, and affirm the district court’s decision to deny the Galicias leave to amend.
(c)
By failing to address the merits of its breach of warranty claim against Caterpillar in its Opening Brief, the Galicias waived their right to appeal the district court’s decision that Caterpillar did not breach its warranty to the Galicias. See Dream Games of Arizona, Inc. v. PC On-site, 561 F.3d 983 (9th Cir. 2009); Miller v. Fairchild Indus., Inc., 797 F.2d 727, 738 (9th Cir. 1986). Even if not waived, the district court properly granted Caterpillar summary judgment. To prevail on a breach of warranty claim under California or federal Lemon Laws, the Galicias must first establish that they provided Caterpillar a reasonable number of opportunities to repair an engine defect or non-conformity. 15 U.S.C. § 2310(e) (“No action ... may be brought under subsection (d) of this section for failure to comply with any obligation under any written or implied warranty or service contract ... unless the person obligated under the warranty or service contract is afforded a reasonable opportunity to cure such failure to com
AFFIRMED in part, STAYED in part.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9 th Cir. R. 36-3.
. National RV is apparently in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Rodolfo GALICIA Rita Galicia v. COUNTRY COACH, INC., an Oregon corporation National RV, Inc., a California corporation McMahon's RV Caterpillar, Inc., a Delaware corporation
- Cited By
- 7 cases
- Status
- Published