California Leads the Way in Protecting Hairstyles in the Workplace
California recently added new protections against discrimination beyond those afforded by Title VII. The state’s new law, referred to as the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act, went into effect on January 1st with the support of…
Cannabis Smoke and Delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Added to Prop 65 List for Reproductive Toxicity
The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 – often referred to as Prop 65 – contains a list of approximately 900 different substances that can lead to cancer, reproductive harm, or birth defects. California recently added cannabis (marijuana) smoke…
AB5 Was Supposed to Bring Changes – Just Not the Ones It Has
When Assembly Bill 5 (“AB5”) was signed by Governor Newsom in September 2019, labor and workers’ rights activists cheered. The new law would ensure protections for workers who passed the “ABC” test by forcing employers to classify those workers as employees rather…
What To Do When the Car Accident Wasn’t Your Fault
When you’re involved in a car accident, your mind immediately jumps to who was at fault. When the at-fault driver isn’t you, how do you proceed? Under California Vehicle Code Section 16029, every driver must be able to show proof of financial…
Philip Morris Won’t Die, But Its Customers Will
For years, the tobacco industry marketed their products under loose regulations. As a result of a 1999 lawsuit under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), cigarette and tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris landed itself in trouble with the United States Department…
I Think My Employer Is Discriminating Against Me. What Do I Do?
If an employer or co-worker makes your life miserable because he or she views you as “different” and acts on this attitude in a negative manner, and this behavior is consistent and systemic, you can file a lawsuit for employment discrimination. An…
What to Expect from the Passing of Governor Newsom’s Wildfire Utility Bill Law
In the wake of the ongoing lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) as a result of the 2018 Paradise/Camp fire, California Governor Gavin Newsom has enacted a utility bill law that could benefit victims of wildfires and alleviate financial burdens for…
New Anti-Harassment Training Requirements in California
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, California passed a sweeping amendment to its workplace safety and anti-harassment standards. These new standards are codified under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) with the enactment of SB 1343. Key changes to California’s…
Understanding California’s Peace Officers Bill of Rights [Infographic]
What rights do public safety officers have when facing internal investigations? The California Peace Officers Bill of Rights defines clear protections for police officers’ personnel records, privacy issues, interrogation tactics, searches and more. Scroll down to learn more. Matthew McNicholasAs one of…
What California AB-218 Means for Childhood Sexual Assault Victims [infographic]
Many victims of childhood sexual assault are not ready to come forward until it’s too late to pursue justice through the courts. AB-218, a proposed bill in California, aims to give victims more time to report assault and further protect the community…
Peace Officers Bill of Rights
Download PDF Table of Contents 3300. Name of Act 3301. Definition; legislative findings and declarations 3302. Political activity; membership on school board 3303. Investigations and interrogations; conduct; conditions; admissibility of statements; representation; reassignment 3304. Punitive action barred for lawful exercise of rights;…
How Proposed California AB-218 Would Protect Childhood Sexual Assault Victims
Most people have heard of a statute of limitations, where after a certain period of time, legal action can no longer be taken. This is because as time goes on, evidence becomes stale, a witness’s memory fades, and sometimes documents get lost….
Understanding Disability Discrimination Law in California
If you suffer from a disability, both state and federal laws protect your ability to work so long as you can perform the essential duties of your job with reasonable accommodation. If you find yourself struggling at work, you should consider whether…
Corruption and Discrimination in Law Enforcement: How Officers Can Speak Up
In addition to working on stressful cases, police officers frequently deal with internal conflicts on the job, and the hazards of this hostile work environment are often hidden. Reporting misconduct or corruption in a workplace is difficult enough, and law enforcement officers…
You’re Not Alone: Speaking Up for Harassed Firefighters
The culture within fire stations often subjects employees to harassment and discrimination, and gives harassed employees no comfort in coming forward to report their abuse. If you have suffered harassment on the job as a firefighter, you are not alone. Resources are…
Common Accidents that Occur on Construction Sites
Construction is a dangerous industry. Workers often handle heavy materials, sharp objects, and powerful tools and work under tight deadlines. This combination creates an extremely dangerous environment. How OSHA Regulates Construction Sites The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the regulatory body…
Understanding California’s Strict Product Liability Laws
As a customer purchasing a product, you place your trust in the manufacturer. You believe the product will satisfy your needs and not cause you harm. California’s strict consumer protection laws seek to ensure that manufacturers, retailers, and designers are held accountable…
Rebuilding Your Home After the California Wildfires [Infographic]
If you or a loved one lost your home in a recent California wildfire, you may find that the payout from your homeowner’s insurance is not enough to rebuild your home. It’s crucial that you understand your options for recovery. Matthew McNicholasAs…
Federal Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Uber in Lawsuit to Keep Drivers as Independent Contractors
On September 25, 2018, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal handed over a major victory to the ride-sharing giant Uber Technologies Inc. in a battle between Uber and a class of thousands of Uber drivers alleging they were misclassified as independent contractors….
Are Consumers at Risk? The Hidden Dangers of Using E-cigarettes
Consumers have turned to e-cigarettes as an alternative way to get a nicotine fix without the harmful effects of smoking a traditional cigarette. However, defective e-cigarettes pose an entirely new set of risks that have become increasingly dangerous. In 2017, more than…