Muega

The trial court awarded respondent Jesusa Lagunera $1,905 in sanctions (Code Civ. Proc., § 128.5 against Leonora Muega and Marinella Lim (collectively appellants). The court concluded appellants had prosecuted a frivolous complaint at a trial de novo following nonbinding judicial arbitration. The trial court also denied appellants’ motion to tax costs vis-k-vis Lagunera and respondent Armando Menocal. Muega and Lim have appealed and contend we must reverse these orders. We affirm.

I

Facts and Procedure

This case arises out of an automobile accident. Lagunera was driving a car in which Muega and Lim were passengers. As Lagunera was attempting to make a left-hand turn, Armando Menocal’s car struck Lagunera’s car from the rear. Lagunera, Muega and Lim were injured in the accident.

Lagunera, Muega and Lim initially retained Attorney Wade V. Shang to jointly represent them in a personal injury action against Menocal. In the initial complaint filed on June 19, 1992, Lagunera, Muega and Lim were named as plaintiffs and Menocal was the only named defendant. In March of 1993 Lagunera substituted in Mr. Cattermole to represent her in the action against Menocal.

Attorney…