What can a plaintiff expect after filing a motion to compel discovery?

After filing a motion to compel discovery, the plaintiff can expect that if the court grants the motion and finds that the defendant unjustifiably failed to comply with discovery obligations, the defendant may be ordered to pay reasonable expenses incurred by the plaintiff in making the motion. This is in accordance with California law, as the party that does not comply with discovery can be held responsible for the costs associated with compelling that compliance.

This outcome encourages compliance with discovery rules by placing a financial burden on the non-compliant party, thereby fostering a more efficient legal process. It is important to note that while expenses may be awarded, it is not guaranteed and the court will evaluate whether the failure to comply was justified.

The other options don't accurately reflect the standard outcomes following the filing of a motion to compel. For instance, a court generally does not dismiss a case solely because a motion to compel is filed; dismissal occurs under different circumstances. Additionally, automatic sanctions are not a guaranteed result of filing such a motion, as the court needs to assess the situation first. Lastly, there is no requirement that the plaintiff provide additional evidence merely because a motion to compel has been filed; the motion itself is a request for the court to enforce existing discovery obligations.