Guzman

Raymond Guzman was injured at work while operating a paste machine. His complaint alleged the machine was manufactured by General Motors, his employer. General Motors filed affidavits and answered a series of interrogatories, indicating it had built the machine. When General Motors later discovered Hamblen Gauge was the manufacturer, it notified Guzman who moved for an order imposing sanctions, alleging the incorrect answer was intentional, an effort by General Motors, immune from suit, to shield Hamblen Gauge. Heard on the same day were General Motors’ motions for (1) leave to file supplemental responses to interrogatories or (2) relief pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 473. The court denied Guzman’s request for sanctions, apparently ignored General Motors’ separate motion for leave to file supplemental answers, but granted the Code of Civil Procedure section 473 motion “upon condition defendant pays to plaintiff, as attorney fees, $15,000.” Following General Motors’ motion for reconsideration, the court modified its prior ruling: “to grant [§ 473] relief as requested and further to grant General Motor’s [sic] leave to file supplemental responses. [¶] The…