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Contracts
Breach of Contract
Conversion

Chep USA v. L.A. Pallets Inc., and Does 1 through 10, inclusive

Published: Jun. 7, 2024 | Result Date: Feb. 16, 2024 | Filing Date: Jul. 17, 2023 |

Case number: 2:23-cv-05771-CAS-SK Settlement –  $25,000

Judge

Christina A. Snyder

Court

CD CA


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Evelina Gentry
(Akerman LLP)

Jonathan M. Turner
(Akerman LLP)


Defendant

Leslie Walker Van Antwerp III
(Van Antwerp Law Firm)


Facts

Chep USA leases its pallets to companies. After entering an agreement with L.A. Pallets, Chep sued L.A. Pallets for, among others, breach of contract. According to plaintiff, since at least June 2021, defendant wrongfully possessed, transferred, and/or destroyed thousands of plaintiff's pallets. As plaintiff's business relies on the availability and strength of its product, its agreements expressly provide that it owns the pallets, with all its pallets bearing markers of its ownership such as its logo, and the inscription "PROPERTY OF CHEP."

Result

The parties settled, agreeing in part, that plaintiff: was the sole and exclusive owner of the Chep pallets as described in the settlement agreement; was entitled to recover all its pallets from defendant; and would be allowed to inspect defendant's facility to monitor compliance with the agreement. Moreover, defendant agreed to provide copies of invoices or other documentation pertaining to the pallets and pay $25,000.


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