How To Prove A California Unjust Enrichment Claim

In California, a claim of Unjust Enrichment is defined as:
A legal doctrine to remedy the situation where one party to a contract or agreement unjustifiably benefits from the property or action of another and without compensation.
It simply means:
When one party provides a benefit to another without receiving legal compensation for it.
There are 2 elements of the claim:
- Element 1. The defendant received a benefit. The defendant gained something valuable, like money or property, from another person without giving anything in return, which is a key part of proving an unjust enrichment claim.
Facts that might support this element look like:
* The defendant received a monetary payment from the plaintiff for services that were never rendered.
* The defendant acquired property from the plaintiff without providing any compensation in return.
* The defendant profited from the plaintiff’s intellectual property without obtaining permission or paying royalties.
* The defendant utilized the plaintiff’s resources, such as labor or materials, without any agreement for reimbursement.
* The defendant gained access to confidential information from the plaintiff, which led to a lucrative business opportunity. - Element 2. The defendant unjustly retained the benefit at the expense of another. This means that the defendant received something valuable, like money or property, without paying for it, and this unfairly harmed someone else who should have received that benefit instead.
Facts that might support this element look like:
* The defendant received payment for services that were never rendered to the plaintiff.
* The defendant continued to use the plaintiff’s proprietary information without compensation after the contract had expired.
* The defendant sold the plaintiff’s product at a profit while failing to pay the agreed-upon royalties.
* The defendant accepted a deposit for a service and then refused to provide the service or refund the deposit.
* The defendant benefited from the plaintiff’s labor without providing any form of compensation or acknowledgment.
(See Branche v Hetzel, (1966) 241 CA2d 801, 51 Cal Rptr 188. Peterson v. Cellco Partnership, 164 Cal. App. 4th 1583 – Cal: Court of Appeal, 4th Appellate Dist., 3rd Div. 2008. California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI), No. 4410.)
If you’re in court without a lawyer and plan to assert a Claim of Unjust Enrichment, having a Personal Practice of Law at Courtroom5 is essential. You’ll need to make informed decisions about what to file at each phase of your case and prepare legal documents supported by thorough legal research and a strong analysis of the facts. Equip yourself with the tools and knowledge to effectively navigate your case and advocate for your rights.
Prove Your CA Unjust Enrichment Claim
U.S. Civil Cases Only