Medical Benefits Admin. v. Nivano Physicians CA3

FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

The underlying facts and procedural history of the litigation at issue here was set forth in our prior opinion on this matter. As relevant here, at the close of the evidence at trial, the trial court granted plaintiffs’ motion under Code of Civil Procedure section 664.6 for an award of $140,183, and subsequently the jury returned a verdict awarding $250,000 in damages to MBA, and $1 in damages to Smith. (Slip Opn., supra.) On May 1, 2020, plaintiffs filed a motion for attorney fees, arguing that both MBA and Smith were prevailing parties for purposes of an attorney fee award and that the proposed fees were reasonable. Defendant’s opposition to the motion argued that plaintiffs’ proposed fees were unnecessary and unreasonable, and Smith was not a prevailing party entitled to an attorney fee award. Following a hearing, the trial court granted plaintiffs’ motion for attorney fees in full, awarding $365,065. The court concluded MBA and Smith “were and are the prevailing parties in connection with the contract claims at issue” in the case. The court further explained that, even if Smith were not a prevailing party, it “would find that plaintiff MBA and Smith’s…