Crocker

BACKGROUND

Allegations Plaintiff Matthew Crocker filed suit in February 2012 after suffering injuries in August 2011. His second amended complaint (SAC), filed in December 2012, was brought against defendants (i) The Dresden Restaurant (the Dresden), “dba for” The Ritto, Inc., a restaurant, lounge, and bar located at 1760 North Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles; (ii) James Ferraro, an individual and trustee of (iii) the Ferraro Trust, both owners of the Dresden; (iv) F&F Properties, a company owned and operated by Ferraro and the owner of property next to the Dresden; (v) Richard Brewer, a tenant of Ferraro’s and part-owner of a nearby clothing store; and (vi) Miho Ikeda, also a tenant of Ferraro’s and part-owner of the clothing store. Defendants i through iv are referred to collectively herein as the Ferraro defendants. Plaintiff alleged that Ferraro had been acquainted with Ikeda and Brewer for approximately 10 years, and had rented out office space to them at 4655 Kingswell Avenue for approximately four to five years. The Kingswell building was contiguous to the Dresden; the back door of the Dresden was about 75 to 100 feet away from the back entrance to the Kingswell building.…