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…
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…
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…
Exploding Popularity of E-Cigarettes Turns Dangerous: Reported Explosions on the Rise [Infographic]
Burn injuries are on the rise as the popularity of e-cigarettes increases. Incidents of unpredictable combustion and/or the explosion of e-cigarettes have been linked to their lithium-ion battery, yet the safety of these devices…
Proposed Changes to U.S. Department of Education’s Regulations on Campus Sexual Misconduct Bolster the Rights of the Accused
On August 29, 2018, the U.S. Department of Education released new proposed policies around campus sexual misconduct. Under the new proposed regulations, the rights of students accused of sexual assault or harassment would be…
California Supreme Court Changes Rules for Classifying Workers as Independent Contractors: Adoption of ABC Test
On April 30, 2018, the California Supreme Court changed the rules for classifying workers as independent contractors in approving the ABC test in place of the Borello test in claims involving regulating wages, hours…
New National Origin Discrimination Regulations Set Limitations To "English-Only" Rules
New regulations expanding protections for national origin individuals against workplace discrimination went into effect on July 1, 2018, including a ban on language requirements. Employers and employees alike need to know what these new…
#MeToo By the Numbers [Infographic]
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, a recent study from Stop Street Harassment shows the staggering number of women and men who have experienced sexual harassment and assault in their lives. Find out…
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Arbitration Agreements
When you are first hired at a company, you fill out a lot of paperwork. Between the tax forms and employee benefits enrollment process, it is easy to lose track of what you are…
Age Discrimination: Seventh Circuit Court Says Applicant Can Bring ADEA Disparate Impact Claim
In April 2018, the Seventh Circuit Court ruled in favor of a plaintiff in the case, Kleber v. CareFusion Corp., where a 58-year-old attorney claimed he was denied a chance to interview for an…
Sexual Harassment on the Job [Infographic]
Sexual harassment can take on different forms, such as verbal or physical, and can happen to anyone. It is a violation of the California Fair Employment & Housing Act (FEHA), and individuals who feel…
Pro-Plaintiff SCOTUS Decision Stops Clock for State Claims Pending in Federal Court
On January 22, 2018, in a pro-plaintiff decision reversing the D.C. Court of Appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court held that statutes of limitations for state claims are suspended while those claims are pending in federal…
#TimesUp Should Not Time Out: Taking a Stand to End Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation
Recent movements, such as #TimesUp and #MeToo, have called for an end to sexual assault, harassment and inequality in the workplace spawning from a bevy of allegations against Hollywood moguls and others. The claimants…
Important Issues to Be Aware of When Riding with Uber and Lyft
Both Uber and Lyft currently provide $1 million in primary liability coverage for any damage a driver may cause to others (e.g., a pedestrian struck in a crosswalk), as well as $1 million in…
Rise of the On-Demand Economy & Its Impact on Workers and Consumers
The on-demand economy has infiltrated our everyday lives, spanning across industries and changing the way we do nearly everything, from hailing transportation and ordering food, to in-home beauty services. The business model for these…
Burn Victims and Emotional Trauma
Burn injuries are like no other. These injuries are among the most painful and traumatic experiences a person can endure. Beyond the physical damage, burn victims often suffer from long-lasting emotional harm. These victims are susceptible to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder…
How California Juries View Brain Injury Claims Without Visible Head Trauma
Unlike a broken bone, a surgical scar, or other visible wound, a concussion or traumatic brain injury can be invisible to the naked eye. Still, the pain is real for victims and can be life-altering. To make matters worse, when it comes…
How Prosthetic Costs Impact Settlement Value in Amputation Cases
Losing a limb or requiring prosthetic assistance after an accident is life-changing in every way possible. The physical, emotional, and financial toll is overwhelming, especially the financial burden of prosthetic devices, as they can cost tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands…
Who’s Liable When a FedEx or Amazon Van Hits You?
Delivery trucks and vans are an unavoidable sight on LA roads. They zip down neighborhood streets, double park in busy commercial areas, and block lanes of traffic during deliveries. In addition to making life a lot easier for most people and complicating…
How Jury Demographics in LA Affect High-Value Personal Injury Verdicts
Los Angeles County is known for a lot of things, including its diversity, booming economy, and dense traffic. When a personal injury goes to trial in Los Angeles, the jury pool—and those who are ultimately selected—play a big role in which way…
What to Expect at Your Deposition in a Personal Injury Case
If you’re pursuing a personal injury claim, you may find that the deposition is one of the most stressful parts of your case, especially if you’ve never been through one before. Being under oath and trying to answer both thoroughly and concisely…
Power Line Fires and Utility Negligence in LA
In California, power line fires caused by utility negligence are a common concern, having led to several lawsuits in recent years. These fires threaten densely populated neighborhoods, but utility fires have also played a role in the wildfires that have dominated the…
Discovery Is the Most Important Part of Your Lawsuit
Soon after you file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, you will enter the pretrial discovery phase (“discovery” for short). For many plaintiffs, this is the most important part of your case–and it demands your full cooperation. The more meaningfully you…
What Will Insurance Cover After a Fire?
California is a hot and dry state, especially near LA. Devastating fires break out frequently, destroying untold billions of dollars worth of real estate and personal property. Fire insurance is a must in many areas. But are you really familiar with what…
Hit and Run Accidents in Los Angeles
A hit and run in Los Angeles, as in most jurisdictions, involves a driver being involved in an accident with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a fixed object, and then leaving the scene without identifying themselves to the other party or parties…
The Future of Paralysis Treatment
Have you or a loved one suffered an injury to the spinal cord that led to paralysis? You may be wondering what the future holds for you. While many people live full lives with paralysis, science is on the job, working hard…
The Growing Issues of Jury Internet Access
Today, access to the internet is so widespread that expecting jurors to completely avoid looking up information about a case, the attorneys involved, or even the people giving testimony seems almost impossible. I was recently in a mediation where a mediator Googled…
The Importance of Early Diagnosis in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) happen when the brain experiences a jolt, blow, or impact strong enough to cause damage. A TBI can result from things like car accidents, falls, sports injuries, or any incident where the head and brain are put under…
The Role of Expert Witnesses in Personal Injury Cases
An expert witness is someone with specialized skill, knowledge, experience, training, or education. These qualifications enable the expert to assist the court in understanding the evidence or determining facts at issue in a legal case. Expert witnesses are used in both civil…
Whiplash Injuries After Car Accidents
Whiplash injuries occur when the neck and head are suddenly and forcefully flung backward and forward. This type of injury commonly results from rear-end automobile collisions, but can also occur in other types of accidents, such as sports injuries or physical assaults….
The Impact of Social Media on Personal Injury Cases
In our digital era, social media has woven itself into the fabric of daily life, providing instant connections to friends, family, and the broader world. Following a car accident, many instinctively turn to their phones to share the experience on social platforms….
Can My Cell Phone Data be Used Against Me in a CA Personal Injury Claim?
Yes, your cell phone can potentially be used against you in a California personal injury claim. Here’s how and why: Evidence of distraction: If you were using your phone at the time of the accident, it could be used to demonstrate that…
The Role of Life Care Planning in Paralysis Cases
A paralyzing injury is a life-altering event with immense physical, emotional, and financial consequences. If you or a loved one is facing this life-changing challenge, life care planning is an essential tool for navigating long-term medical needs, financial burdens, and maximizing compensation…
The Financial Burden of Traumatic Amputation
Traumatic amputation, the sudden loss of a limb due to accident, injury, or severe burns, is a life-altering event. Beyond the physical and emotional trauma, amputees face a significant financial burden that can have long-lasting consequences. This burden encompasses medical expenses, lost…
Common Causes of Negligent Burn Injuries in Los Angeles
Burn injuries are among the most painful and devastating types of injuries one can experience. While accidents causing burns can happen anywhere and anytime, some incidents occur due to negligence or recklessness, leading to preventable harm. In Los Angeles, a bustling city…