California Supreme Court July 31, 1986, S.F. 24861 (Bettencourt v. Los Rios Community College District)

Opinion

BIRD, C. J.

Did the trial court abuse its discretion when it denied plaintiffs’ petition seeking relief from the claim presentation requirement of Government Code section 945.41 on the ground of excusable neglect?

I.

The facts in this case are uncontroverted. On November 29,1982, Vincent Braby, plaintiffs’ 22-year-old son, drowned while on a biology field trip to Bodega Bay.