UPDATE: California Court Says Uber & Lyft Drivers Are Employees, Not Contractors
On August 10, 2020, the San Francisco Superior Court sided with California drivers, saying Uber and Lyft must classify those drivers as employees. Per Market Watch, “Judge Ethan Schulman of the California Superior Court…
Wrongful Termination May Not Be What You Think It Is
Losing your job is never easy. If you are laid off or let go due to downsizing or the company’s financial woes, chances are that you will be met with a level of compassion…
There Is No Such Thing as a Safe Autonomous Vehicle
Autonomous vehicles began as concept cars, highlighting the type of futuristic technology that car companies like showing off. The difference is that while many concept vehicles never make it onto the road, self-driving cars…
Should the 40 Hour Work Week Be a Thing of the Past?
Anyone who has worked the standard 9-to-5 grind every day has probably daydreamed about a four-day work week. While there are certainly advantages to implementing that plan, such as improving health and overall happiness…
A New Study Shows Hope for Improvement for Spinal Cord Injury Victims
It can be a very long, challenging road for many who suffer from spinal cord injuries. New treatment protocols come out periodically but at the end of the day, their effectiveness will depend upon…
Car Insurance “Coronavirus Rebates” – Who Is Really Profiting?
The California stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic began March 19, 2020. As the order slowly modifies and lifts in phases, there is no doubt that some things have changed. You likely haven’t…
In California, Traffic Is Down but Reckless Speeding Is Up
In the weeks and months since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the shutdown of schools and businesses, traffic on LA highways has dropped dramatically. The frustrating bumper-to-bumper traffic for which our area is known is…
When Vehicle Defects Cause Your Accident and Injuries
Whether it is from a car, truck, motorcycle, or other type of vehicle, defective parts are an annoyance – having to bring your vehicle in to the dealer for repairs or replacement. However, at…
Los Angeles Firefighters and Discrimination: Know Your Rights
Firefighters perform their jobs, day in and day out, knowing that at any moment they could get a call to risk their lives in order to save someone else’s. The hectic and high-pressure environment…
Burn Injuries and the Road to Recovery
A burn injury can be one of the most painful injuries a person can experience, both physically and emotionally. Serious burns are also difficult to treat, and survivors typically face a long road to…
What Is the Difference between a TBI and a Concussion?
An injury sustained in the brain can result in long-term, serious health complications. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are usually initiated by physical trauma that also causes unconsciousness. A slightly less severe form of brain…
How Can I Prove I’m Being Discriminated Against Because of My Age?
Employers sometimes have stereotypes and preconceived notions about individuals based on their age alone. These ideas lead to generalizations about a person’s capabilities, health, and potential productivity, particularly for individuals over the age of…
My Car Was Hit By a Car, But the Other Person Got Hurt; What Happens Now?
In the immediate aftermath of a car crash, what to do next can be uncertain. The general feeling after a car accident for everyone involved is shock, even if there are no apparent injuries…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
What Out-of-State Visitors Need to Know About CA Laws
California is no stranger to tourism. Los Angeles alone gets nearly 50 million visitors per year. While many of those visitors choose to use rideshare services or public transit, a significant percentage drive their own vehicles. They may assume that their home…
How Violations of California Vehicle Code Affect Truck Accident Liability
Commercial truck accidents often cause catastrophic damage, which is why so much effort has gone into figuring out why these collisions happen and how to prevent them in 2026. The California Vehicle Code addresses many of these concerns and safety risks, and…
Drone-Related Injuries: New Technology Meets California Negligence Law
Drones are no longer the niche gadgets they were when they first hit the market – they now play an important role in photography, construction, real estate, recreation, deliveries, and more. However, the more drones become a common sight in California, the…
Claims Involving Elderly Drivers Under California’s Senior License Renewal Rules
As drivers age, safety concerns can collide with legal responsibility after an accident caused by an elderly driver. California is one of many states that has implemented additional license renewal requirements for senior drivers. These safeguards reduce risk, but of course, they…
Mental Health Concerns After an Injury
In the world of personal injury law, it might be tempting to focus primarily or even exclusively on a person’s physical suffering, but what happens when a victim experiences the invisible toll of emotional distress? Recent research suggests that survivors are at…
Independent Contractors Injured on the Job in LA — Do They Have Rights?
In 2023, roughly 2.2 million California residents reported that they are primarily self-employed. This figure includes a combination of small business owners, freelancers, and gig workers, many of whom work long, hard hours in order to ensure their needs—and those of their…
Who’s Liable in LA’s Frequent Multi-Car Pileups?
If you live in or around Los Angeles, it’s probably no surprise that our city recently ranked 2nd for having the worst traffic in the nation. Since traffic density is one of the most reliable predictors of traffic collisions, Los Angeles residents…
What Is a CCP 998 Offer in California, and How Can It Impact Your Case?
A CCP § 998 offer is a written settlement offer that can be used by either the plaintiff or the defendant in a civil case. The primary goal of a 998 offer is to encourage both parties to settle by imposing financial…
Wildfire Evacuation Injuries: Can You Sue for Poor Emergency Planning?
In 2023, there were over 7,000 wildfires reported in the state of California, and this number is still growing in 2024. As experts continue to suggest that the frequency of these disasters will only increase in the years ahead, it’s more important…
Proving Future Medical Costs in California Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Cases
Brain and spinal cord injuries are among the most serious, life-altering traumas a person can suffer. In California, victims of catastrophic injuries may be entitled to compensation for both immediate medical expenses and the probable significant future medical costs. This article explores…
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…