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The wrongful death laws in California allow certain family members to file a wrongful death claim to obtain compensation when a person’s or entity’s actions lead to the death of a loved one. You may be entitled to compensation in a wrongful death action whether the death was because of negligence, such as running a stop sign, or malice, as with a murder. Speak to our Oakland wrongful death attorney at Bracamontes & Vlasak for more information about the state’s wrongful death laws and your case.
A California wrongful death claim can arise from many situations, including motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, criminal activity, and more. To receive compensation in a lawsuit, you must prove the following:
Note that proving wrongful death only requires showing a ‘preponderance of the evidence’ to prove liability. This is a lower standard than needed to obtain a guilty verdict in a criminal case, which is ‘beyond a reasonable doubt.’
CCP 377.60 (a) in California states that the following parties may sue for wrongful death:
If you are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit in California and receive a settlement or favorable verdict, you may be entitled to some or all of the following:
You have only two years from the death to file a wrongful death lawsuit in California. If the case is not filed in the appropriate court at that time, the family usually loses the right to file a lawsuit.
If you lose a loved one in an accident because of someone’s negligence, the wrongful death laws in California protect you. You may be entitled to compensation for your terrible loss, so please contact our Oakland wrongful death attorney at Bracamontes & Vlasak, P.C., today at (415) 835-6777.
If you are a tenant and have a claim against your landlord for a fire, the fire investigation and evidence preservation are critical parts of the case. While many firefighters understand the basics of evidence preservation and will work to preserve the scene to a degree, their primary focus is on fire suppression and ruling out arson. An independent comprehensive fire investigation should often be conducted to determine the cause and origin of a fire with more specificity.
First, the fire investigation team must preserve evidence at the scene. This information is vital to understanding what happened and could be an essential part of a lawsuit. Learn more about fire investigations below, and speak to our California landlord-tenant attorneys if you need help with a claim.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers extensive guidance for fire investigations. Following NFPA guidelines is critical to the investigation and a lawsuit. It also offers a strong foundation for fire investigators whose views on the fire could be challenged in litigation.
Fire investigators conduct their investigations within the NFPA 921 guidelines using a systematic approach to inspecting and documenting fire scenes. Investigators carefully study burn patterns, gather and preserve evidence, and document the fire scene. Independent fire investigators also perform comprehensive fire scene investigations, submit reports, and may offer expert testimony in a tenant lawsuit.
Additionally, fire scene investigators often reconstruct, as much as possible, the original condition of the structure, appliances, equipment, and vehicles. This allows them to determine how and where the fire started and understand what could have been altered, removed, or destroyed from the scene before the investigation started.
One of the investigator’s key roles is identifying and handling physical evidence. NFPA 921, Section 17.2.1 states that physical evidence is a tangible or physical item that may prove or disprove a fact or issue. Fire scene physical evidence can be critical to understanding the cause, origin, spread, and the person responsible for the incident.
Physical evidence could be smoke alarms, appliances, sprinkler systems, furniture, portions of burned structures, and machinery. This evidence could show charring or burn patterns that help investigators determine the origin and cause of the fire, which may or may not support a tenant lawsuit related to the fire. It is up to the investigator to decide which evidence must be gathered from the scene.
After fire investigators collect evidence, the next step is to preserve it. NFPA 921, Section 17.3.1.2 states that the responsibility for preserving evidence is with the police, firefighters, and fire investigators. However, improper evidence preservation by first responders and scene contamination could lead to the destruction or loss of physical evidence. This is why firefighter commanders, and later, the investigator should ensure the scene is secure and no unauthorized intrusions are allowed. If a party, such as a landlord, fails to preserve critical evidence of a fire, that could result in an adverse evidentiary presumption in court later.
An independent fire investigation is often critical for determining the cause of a fire, and a tenant claim or lawsuit may hinge on that determination. Working with a landlord-tenant attorney ensures a fire investigation is conducted to provide critical evidence for your case.
If you are making a claim against your landlord for a fire, an independent fire investigation may be a critical part of the case. Tenants who need assistance with a fire claim or lawsuit should contact our Oakland landlord-tenant attorneys at Bracamontes & Vlasak today for a legal consultation at (415) 835-6777.
Were you injured in an Oakland accident recently that someone else caused? California law states that every person who suffered injuries or losses because of another person’s unlawful act can receive financial compensation. Learn about special damages in this article, then speak to our Oakland personal injury lawyers at Bracamontes & Vlasak if you have a case.
There are two kinds of damages in a California personal injury case: general damages and special damages. General damages, also called noneconomic damages, includes pain and suffering and emotional distress compensation.
On the other hand, special damages, also called economic damages, refer to medical bills, lost earnings, and additional out-of-pocket costs stemming from the injury:
Special damages include medical expenses for the past and future. To prove your damages, you must show the medical costs were reasonably required because of the injury, and that you received them.
Medical expenses can be proven to the insurance company or in court by showing medical bills, the medical diagnosis, and medical records. Your Oakland personal injury lawyer can also call your doctor to testify about your injuries. Or, a medical expert witness can provide this critical testimony.
Remember that the medical bill amount that may be paid in a settlement might not be the total amount on the bill. Many health insurance organizations in California contract with other providers at a lower rate. Your attorney will negotiate the best costs for the medical services rendered. Even if you had insurance and your carrier paid your medical bills, you are entitled to compensation for medical specials because you own the policy and paid the premiums.
Lost earnings, lost future earnings, and the inability to earn a living are the other special damages in many personal injury lawsuits. Lost earnings include wages, commissions, bonuses, and other earnings and benefits you would have enjoyed if you were not hurt.
If you have a regular job, you may be entitled to receive this compensation because you could not be at work because of your injuries. Sufficient proof of lost earnings for traditional W-2 employees includes pay stubs, W-2s, and other documents that show your wage or salary.
Loss of future earnings includes what you would have earned at your regular wage or salary if the injury did not happen. This compensation includes benefits, such as Social Security, for lost time. Proving loss of future income requires you to show how long you will not be able to return to your job, and how much you would have earned absent the injury.
Your physician’s testimony usually proves how long it takes to return to your job. They should be able to offer their expert opinion, backed by medical evidence, about what will prevent you from going back to your old job or if and when you can return to work. An economist or other financial expert also can be called to testify to demonstrate what you would have earned.
If you were injured in an accident in Oakland, Montclair, or Glen View, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact our Oakland personal injury lawyers at Bracamontes & Vlasak today at 415-835-6777 for a complimentary consultation. If another party caused your injuries, we will fight for the best personal injury settlement or take the case to court.
You can get many types of injuries in an accident in California. But a brain injury is a severe injury that can affect the rest of your life or even be fatal. Common brain injuries in California are outlined below. If you or a loved one have a brain injury after an accident, contact our Oakland personal injury attorneys at Bracamontes & Vlasak, P.C., for assistance.
A concussion is the most common brain injury after a variety of accidents. A concussion is brain trauma that happens because of a sudden momentum change, impact, or change in direction or movement. Many concussions cause a loss of consciousness. However, you may have less severe symptoms, such as difficulty maintaining balance or confusion. If you watch NFL football this has been a big concern in the league with player safety.
Always seek immediate medical attention if you suspect you or a loved one has a concussion. The concussion could get worse, and even a brain bleed is possible.
A brain contusion is a bruise on the brain. This can happen when you have a severe blow to the head. Brain contusions are common in auto accidents and trip and fall cases. While many brain contusions will heal independently, they can also cause serious medical issues. For example, a minor contusion could lead to bleeding on the brain or blood clots.
Coup-contrecoup is a brain injury that causes trauma to both sides of the brain. For example, in a car accident, the brain can be thrown forward into the front of the skull, then rebounds and hits the back of the skull. Many violent car accidents cause serious coup-contrecoup brain injuries, which can lead to brain damage on both sides of the brain.
This brain injury is not caused by a jolt or blow to the head. Instead, it is due to another problem in your body, such as a lack of oxygen, which is called an anoxic brain injury. A brain injury from a lack of oxygen can happen in a medical malpractice case, a fire case from smoke inhalation, near drowning, and other accidents when the brain is deprived of required oxygen or nutrients. There can be severe health consequences if the brain does not receive enough oxygen for a few minutes.
A diffuse axonal injury happens when the brain structure is torn because of head rotation in an accident. This is a severe kind of concussion; you could have serious headaches, seizures, difficulty walking or speaking, and even memory loss. In the most serious diffuse axonal injuries, severe brain injury can lead to coma or death.
This severe brain injury happens when an object penetrates the skull and brain. This is a relatively easy brain injury to identify because of the apparent external injuries. For example, in a car accident, a penetration injury could occur when your head hits something in the vehicle or a flying object penetrates the skull.
If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in a recent accident, you could be saddled with piles of medical bills and other financial difficulties. The attorneys at Bracamontes & Vlasak, P.C., may be able to obtain compensation for you in a personal injury lawsuit. Contact our Oakland personal injury lawyers for a complimentary consultation at (415) 835-6777.
Children and adults play sports for fun, relaxation, and exercise. But sometimes that fun can turn into tragedy when someone suffers a serious head injury on the field. While there is an understood risk of injury while playing sports, the team, league, coach, or school district must ensure the correct safety procedures are followed.
If you want to avoid head injuries in sports, the tips below will help. But if someone suffers a head injury while playing a sport, the Oakland personal injury attorneys at Bracamontes & Vlasak can help.
Most states today have concussion protocols to protect children and teens from head injuries during athletic events. For example, in California, public, private, and charter school students must have limited full-contact practices. Young players also must be removed from the activity if there is a concussion risk.
The school also should follow ‘return to play’ rules to ensure the athlete does not go back and play too fast. For example, a child diagnosed with a concussion cannot return to the sport without getting a medical clearance.
First, every student-athlete should wear the appropriate safety gear and helmet when engaging in most sports, such as football and baseball. Proper safety gear should also be worn for biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, skiing, and snowboarding.
Second, headgear is the most important thing to avoid concussions and head injuries. Make sure you always wear an approved helmet during sports that require them. You also should not take excessive risks just because you have on a helmet.
Coaches should teach athletes the correct techniques and skills to avoid head injuries. For instance, in football, it is imperative not to lead with your head when tackling. Keep your head up and lead the tackle with your shoulder, not your head or face.
The basic answer is when the doctor says you can play again. Concussions are problematic. You could feel like usual, but your behavior, thinking, and balance could be out of whack. Only your physician can tell if you can return to the field. Your doctor should provide you with a written order that you can go back to sports after your head injury is healed.
You should see your doctor regularly after suffering a head injury in sports. The doctor will see if you still have symptoms and when or if you recover all of your concentration and memory. They also will watch that you do not have symptoms when sprinting, jogging, or doing sit-ups and push-ups.
If you or a loved one suffered head injuries playing a sport, you could have a pile of unpaid medical bills and significant stress and uncertainty in your life. However, in some cases, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages. For example, if the school allowed your child to go back to the field too soon after a concussion, you could have a case. The Oakland personal injury attorneys at Bracamontes & Vlasak are ready to help, so contact our Bay Area attorneys today.
Accidents can happen at any time and cause severe injury and monetary losses. In some cases, the accident will result in an insurance “policy limits demand” to the insurer covering the person or business responsible for your injury. In California, pending law changes will affect policy limit demands in Oakland and across the state. Please contact our Oakland personal injury attorneys if you need legal assistance involving policy limit demands after reviewing this article.
It is well understood in California that an insurance company should accept a reasonable policy limits demand when there is liability and damages exceed the policy. The concepts of good faith and fair dealing in insurance contracts require the insurer not to expose their client to personal liability if a claim exceeds policy limits.
California Code of Civil Procedure sections 999-999.5, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2023, establishes critical statutory requirements for making policy limit demands in the state. The purpose of the new law is to lay out guidelines for using time-limited demands within insurance policy limits to settle civil injury lawsuits for auto, motor vehicle, commercial, and homeowner premises liability claims before filing suit.
A time-limited demand means the following, according to C.C.P 999 (b) (2): “an offer before the filing of the complaint or demand for arbitration to settle any cause of action or a claim for personal injury, property damage, bodily injury, or wrongful death made by or on behalf of a claimant to a tortfeasor with a liability insurance policy for purposes of settling the claim against the tortfeasor within the insurer’s limit of liability insurance, which by its terms must be accepted within a specified period.”
The California statute, Senate Bill 1155, sets the following requirements when a claimant makes a time-limited demand. The demand letter must have the following attributes:
When the insurance company receives the policy limit demand, it is authorized by the new law to ask for more information or clarification. Making such a request does not mean there has been a counteroffer or demand rejection. If the insurance company opts to reject the demand, the claimant must be informed in writing before the demand expires and the insurer must state its grounds for rejecting the demand.
If you were injured in an Oakland accident, you may be overwhelmed with bills and uncertainty. Perhaps you have lost months of income and have piles of medical bills on the table. What can you do regarding a policy limit demand in your case?
The Oakland personal injury attorneys Bracamontes & Vlasak, P.C., have the experience and knowledge to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact our personal injury lawyers for a complimentary consultation at (415) 835-6777. Our attorneys serve people who have been injured in Oakland, the Bay Area, and Northern California.
If you are injured in an accident in California, you could be entitled to compensation if someone was negligent. Once the claim or lawsuit has been resolved, you can receive money for your losses. When speaking to a lawyer about your case, there are two major types of damages to be aware of.
Find out below about special damages in a personal injury claim. If you have questions about a case, talk to the Oakland personal injury attorneys at Bracamontes & Vlasak, P.C.
Special damages refer to out-of-pocket costs you incur after an accident caused by someone else. Special damages also can be referred to as economic damages. The idea behind awarding special damages is to put you in the same financial position as before the accident happened.
The most common special damages are:
If the accident affects your ability to earn a living, you could receive compensation. You should receive compensation for the work you lost already. Also, you may be entitled to lost earnings in the future. To show you lost income, you must verify that the injury prevented you from working.
These damages are all medical costs from the moment of the accident and into the future. Injured clients need to realize they may be due medical expenses for weeks, months, or years of treatment, not just for treatment in the past.
There are other costs from an accident you may not think of. For example, what did it cost you in gas expenses to drive to and from the doctor? What did you have to pay for prescriptions?
If you were in a car accident, you could be entitled to having your vehicle repaired or replaced. In addition, if the car contained personal property such as a cell phone or computer, you could be compensated for that.
If you need physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain lost function, you could receive money for those expenses.
You could receive funeral and burial costs if you lost a loved one in the accident. If so, filing a wrongful death lawsuit could be necessary.
Special damages should be calculated. This includes past and future special damages. Your Oakland personal injury attorneys will request your medical and other out-of-pocket expenses. Then, they will add them up with other categories of damages before presenting the negligent party’s insurance company with a demand letter.
Whether you were injured near Oakland Ice Center, Roof Garden, or another Bay Area location, a personal injury attorney can help you get the money you deserve.
Many personal injury lawsuits are settled out of court. The Oakland law firm Bracamontes & Vlasak, P.C., has helped injured clients in northern California for years to get the most special and general damages in their claims. Our attorneys will also fight aggressively for a favorable outcome if your case goes to trial.
Contact our Oakland personal injury lawyers at Bracamontes & Vlasak, P.C., to learn how we can get the most compensation for your personal injury claim. Our attorneys are pleased to serve clients in Oakland, the Bay Area, and Northern California. Please call (415) 835-6777 to set up a free consultation.
Photo Credit – https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Big-SF-landlord-Veritas-sued-by-long-term-renters-13300906.php
Over the past 5 years Bracamontes & Vlasak, PC, as co-counsel with the Law Offices of Greenstein & McDonald, have successfully prosecuted 7 multi-plaintiff cases against Veritas Investments, Greentree Property Management, and Yat-Pang Au, who owns both companies. The lawsuits have alleged that Veritas and Greentree, at the behest of Au, have engaged in an unlawful business plan throughout the City and County of San Francisco, namely, a modus operandi of attempted wrongful eviction (acquiring large, residential, rent-controlled buildings and immediately commencing prolonged, nuisance construction designed to force out long-standing tenants to profit by raising rents to market).
Cases filed and successfully resolved to date by BV Law and G&M include cases spreading over 45 Veritas buildings on behalf of approximately 175 tenants, i.e., McGlynn, et al. v. 634 Powell I5, LLC, et al. (CGC-18-566137), Stoops, et al. v. 300 Buchanan I3, LP, et al. (CGC-18-566646), Evander, et al. v. Veritas Investments, Inc., et al. (CGC-18-570435), Consos, et al. v. Veritas Investments, Inc., et al. (CGC-20-585034), Annison, et al. v. Veritas Investments, Inc. (CGC-20-585904), Belman, et al. v. Veritas Investments, Inc., et al. (CGC-20-585954), and Amoedo, et al. v. Veritas Investments, Inc., et al. (CGC-21-589712).
More lawsuits are anticipated in the coming months. For questions about Veritas Greentree litigation, contact attorney Ryan Vlasak.
October 25, 2022: BV Law files lawsuit for 44 tenants against Hines corporation and 41 Tehama LP for unfair business practices and wrongful eviction in connection with June and August 2022 major water leaks and tenant displacement at 33 Tehama, San Francisco. A link to the Complaint is provided here. Contact attorney Ryan Vlasak at 415-835-6777 for questions about the case.
If you are hurt in an accident, you face tremendous uncertainty. How will you cover your medical bills? What about your earnings? Will you need to file a personal injury lawsuit?
Whether your attorney reaches a settlement or the case goes to court, general damages are one type of compensation you may be owed. California Civil Code 3281 states that every individual who suffers because of an act of another person may be eligible for damages in a lawsuit. Learn more about general damages below, and contact an Oakland personal injury attorney if you have questions.
General damages in a California lawsuit are also referred to as non-economic damages. General damages usually cover:
General damages may be available to you in many personal injury cases. Partnering with a skilled Bay Area personal injury attorney is essential because general damages can sometimes be larger than economic damages. Therefore, having an attorney who can maximize your general damages compensation pays.
Your attorney will have access to recent settlements and verdicts in California, which can be a way to indicate what your injuries might be worth.
General damages are different than economic damages. Economic damages, also called special damages, include:
Past economic damages can usually be easily calculated, but future economic damages can be more complicated to compute, because it may depend on what medical treatment you need in the future or whether or when you are able to return to work and at what job. It’s important that you work with the right attorney and expert(s) to accurately project all your future economic damages if you are significantly injured.
General damages are just as objective and real as special damages but only you fully experienced them (i.e., you know your own pain best). Therefore, it is important that you work with the right attorney who can understand your pain and effectively communicate what you are going through to the defense team on your case or to a jury in court.
For instance, say you are rear-ended at a traffic light and have $25,000 in medical bills and lost wages. These are economic damages that your attorney will attempt to prove with medical bills, receipts, and other documented evidence.
However, your pain and suffering may be more significant than the bills and could include pain and discomfort, inability to enjoy daily activities, and depression over being injured. These damages could be worth far more than $25,000. It all depends on how much pain and discomfort you endure. Also critical is how long it takes to recover.
General damages require the judgment of people to determine. Also required is good listening, communication and advocacy from your lawyer. The Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions states that the jury should rely on their judgment to determine a ‘reasonable amount’ of general damages based on evidence and common sense. Your lawyer should help inform the jury what constitutes the ‘reasonable amount’ for your situation and injury.
Calculating compensation for all damages is challenging and complicated in a personal injury lawsuit. Even with medical bills and lost earnings documented, getting the insurance company to pay can be difficult. And with general damages, your attorney must present a strong case.
It also is essential to have an attorney who is experienced with both settlements and going to court. You never know when an insurance company will dig in its heels and refuse to compensate fairly for your pain and suffering.
General damages may apply to most personal injury claims, depending on the nature of your injuries, including:
Fortunately, there are few cases where general damages are capped in California, with the exception of medical malpractice cases. However, in other personal injury claims, there is no cap on your award.
The lack of a general damages cap for most claims means your attorney can pursue the most damages possible. That is why it is so critical in California to hire an attorney who knows how to determine the full value of your pain and suffering.
Many personal injury lawsuits settle before the case goes to court. The Oakland law firm Bracamontes & Vlasak, P.C., has the skill and experience to get you the most for your personal injury case. Also, if your case goes to trial, our attorneys know how to win the compensation you are entitled to.
Contact our personal injury lawyers at Bracamontes & Vlasak, P.C. to find out how we can help. Our lawyers Michael Bracamontes and Ryan Vlasak are proud to serve Oakland, the Bay Area, and Northern California and work hard to safeguard your rights. Please call (415) 835-6777 to set up a free consultation.
If you have been in an accident caused by another party, you are likely saddled with piles of medical bills, debilitating pain, and lost work time. You need compensation for your injuries and wonder if you must go to court if you file a California personal injury lawsuit.
Many personal injury lawsuits never go to court because the plaintiff’s attorney settles with the insurance company. However, having your case reviewed by an Oakland personal injury attorney is essential to obtain a better idea if your case can settle before a trial. Learn more below about settling or going to court if you file a lawsuit.
When you are injured, going through a trial for weeks or months to get compensation can be daunting. You have so many personal, emotional, and financial issues to confront that you may not want to deal with going to court.
While about 90% of Bay Area personal injury claims settle, it’s best to have a lawyer who is prepared for trial in order to leverage a fair settlement. More aggressive trial lawyers like the lawyers at BV Law go to court more often than other firms because they expect better results for their clients. While your personal injury attorney will most likely be able to reach a fair settlement with the defendant’s insurance company before trial, beware of firms that never go to trial because they will have to take whatever the insurance company offers on your case.
Insurance companies are usually reluctant to offer you a fair settlement, at least right away. That is why they are rich and a lot of people are not. It is essential to work with a personal injury attorney with the skills and experience to win your case in court, if necessary.
Also, there is a difference between making a pre-litigation demand and settling a case after filing a lawsuit. Your lawyer should explain the differences and choose the right strategy for your situation, whether that be a pre-litigation demand, settlement after filing suit, or jury verdict.
If you go to court and the jury finds in your favor (i.e., if you win), you will probably get more compensation than a settlement. A settlement is usually a compromise to avoid risk. On the other hand, juries can favor personal injury victims when they were harmed by a bad actor or large corporation engaged in unfair business practices.
Your case also can bring light and public attention to a social issue that can bring about social change. You may have public policy reasons for a trial, as many settlements entail confidentiality.
Many lawsuits settle before trial because the plaintiff’s and defendant’s attorneys know that going to court is risky. The process can take months, critical evidence could be thrown out, or the decision could be appealed. That is why fewer lawsuits have gone to trial in recent years. As a result, settlements can be less risky and expensive and provide a speedier resolution of your claim.
Many lawsuits result in a settlement before the trial begins. The boutique law firm Bracamontes & Vlasak, P.C., possesses the experience and approach to maximize your personal injury settlement or award. Whether you settle or go to trial, their litigation attorneys are ready to help you.
Contact our Oakland personal injury attorneys at Bracamontes & Vlasak, P.C., to learn how they can help you with your injury case. Attorneys Michael Bracamontes and Ryan Vlasak serve Oakland, the Bay Area, and Northern California and will fight for your legal rights. Please call (415) 835-6777 to set up a free consultation.
During a personal injury claim, you may come across the term ‘joint and several liability.’ It is a legal principle that holds that each individual defendant in a personal injury case can be held individually liable for the entire accident. In California, there are special rules and regulations in place regarding joint and several liability. Below, our Oakland personal injury attorney provides a more comprehensive guide to joint and several liability in California,
A recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that car accident fatalities hit a 16-year high in the United States in 2021. If you or your loved one is involved in a crash, you need to know how to protect your rights. You may be entitled to financial compensation through a car accident injury claim. One of the concepts to litigating a car accident claim is Delta-V—a scientific formula used to help determine the severity of a crash. In this article, our Oakland car accident attorneys provide an overview of the key things to understand about Delta-V in auto accident claims.
Concussions are one of the most common serious injuries reported in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 225,000 people are hospitalized for brain injuries each year. The road to a complete physical, mental, and emotional recovery after a serious concussion can be long and daunting.
On October 1st, 2021, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 447 into law. The bill allows heirs of a victim to pursue general damages (pain and suffering) through a survival action claim. While eligible family members have always been able to recover general damages for loss of companionship, guidance, and comfort through a wrongful death claim, general damages were previously not recoverable through a survival action claim.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most common serious injuries reported in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), concussions and TBIs are a ‘silent epidemic.’ There are approximately 4.5 million TBIs nationwide each year. Nearly 225,000 brain-injured victims require extended hospitalization and, tragically, 60,000 lose their lives.
In California, property owners and property occupiers have a legal responsibility to ensure that premises are in a reasonably safe condition to avoid personal injury to guests. You may be wondering: What happens if an injury occurs on residential property, does the homeowners’ policy cover the claim?
The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is a California state law that protects employees against workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. For most of its history, FEHA had a strict one-year statute of limitations. Employees had to act quickly to protect their rights.
A serious accident can bring your entire life to a screeching halt. In California, injured victims have the right to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault party, including for pain and suffering. The terms pain and suffering are explained in the California Civil Jury Instructions (3905A). By definition, pain and suffering is intangible damage. It is meant to cover the real, but hard to define loss associated with physical pain and mental trauma.
According to a report from Reuters, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of employees in a dispute over the validity of California’s bar on forced arbitration provisions in most employment contracts. In the case of Chamber of Commerce of the US, et al v. Rob Bonta, et al, the appeals found determined that California’s state law does not violate the Federal Arbitration Act. Here, our Oakland employment law attorneys provide a more detailed overview of the decision.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of concussions in the United States. A concussion is a brain injury caused by a blow to the head or the violent, forceful shaking of the body.
Medical leave is a leave of absence that an employee takes to deal with the effects of a health condition. In California, a worker may be legally entitled to guaranteed medical leave. This raises an important question of if your employer can fire you while you are out on medical leave. Technically speaking, the answer is yes. This is only true, though, if the reason for termination is wholly unrelated to the medical leave. In this article, our Oakland employment lawyers explain the most important things workers need to know about state and federal medical leave laws. (more…)
A car crash can change your entire life in a matter of seconds. It can leave you with stacks of medical bills, missing paycheck, and severe pain and suffering. You need money to repair your vehicle, cover your bills, and support your family. This raises an important question: Can you sue another driver’s insurance company after an accident? (more…)
Having automobile insurance in San Francisco is a wise idea and an important one that will protect you when you are hit and injured in a crash, or if you hit another party on the road. It is impossible to get in your car to go to work, run an errand, take your child to school, or go on a road trip, and know for certain if you will be in a Bay Area car accident.
What You Need To Know About The Statute Of Limitations For Personal Injury Lawsuits In California
A serious accident can change your entire life in a matter of seconds. Injured victims need financial compensation to pay hospital and medical bills, cover lost income, and support their families. In California, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against any defendant(s) who were at fault for your accident.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports serve as another unfortunate reminder of how often excessive speed causes serious accidents. For some, this may seem like common sense but when you look at the data on how speed corresponds not only with more serious injuries but also more accidents, it is eye-opening.
Many people work as Uber drivers on a part-time or full-time basis in California. A recent report estimates that approximately 210,000 people drive for Uber at least once per quarter in the state. With so many Uber vehicles on the road, some ridesharing accidents are going to happen. You may be wondering: What are my rights if I am injured in a crash while working as an Oakland Uber driver? Here, our Oakland personal injury lawyer explains what you need to know if you were injured in an accident as an Uber driver in California. (more…)
Following a major accident, injured victims need monetary compensation to pay their bills and support their families. In California, you can file a personal injury lawsuit to seek financial relief for the full extent of your losses. Personal injury damages fit into two primary categories: (more…)
Dealing with a personal injury can take a serious emotional and financial toll on a victim and their family. Following a serious accident, you need monetary support to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. In California, you have the right to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault party.
In the fall of 2019, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 5 into law to protect independent contractors in California. The primary goal of the legislation is to ensure independent contractors are properly protected under state and federal employment laws. Here, our San Francisco employment law attorneys explain the key things workers need to know about how new California laws protect independent contractors. (more…)
Tenant rights protect renters from unlawful acts by unscrupulous landlords. In California, residential tenants have important legal rights. You may have questions about your rights under state or local law. Whether you are a couple days late on your rent, trying to get your landlord to make a basic repair or fighting to get your full security deposit back, it is crucial you know how the law protects you. In this article, our San Francisco landlord-tenant law attorneys highlight four (4) key things to know about tenant rights in California.
Losing someone you care about is heartbreaking, especially when it is a wrongful death caused by someone else. Under California law (California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.30), eligible family members of the deceased victim can bring a wrongful death suit against the at-fault parties to get justice and economic support. During such a difficult time, you may want to know: How much compensation can be recovered in a wrongful death lawsuit?
We need to know the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in California because we put a lot of faith into the hands of doctors and medical providers. Unfortunately, in far too many cases, medical professionals fail to live up to their responsibilities. Every year, tens of thousands of patients in California suffered harm due to medical negligence.
In the fall of 2019, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 51 into law which is essentially the California Ban on Mandatory Arbitration Agreements. The legislation bars companies and organizations from resolving most types of employment law claims through forced arbitration. The bill is strict — it even includes the possibility of criminal penalties for employers that violated that law. Read on for more on California arbitration rules.
Did you or your loved one sign a nursing home agreement containing a pre-dispute, mandatory arbitration clause? If so, you may be wondering if the nursing home arbitration agreement be enforced? The answer is it depends on the specific circumstances — a forced arbitration clause may be binding, but only if specific conditions are met. Here, our San Francisco nursing home injury lawyers explain what families need to know about the enforceability of nursing home arbitration agreements in California. (more…)
What is a fair severance package in California? This is a question we get a lot at our Oakland law firm. Leaving a job is never easy but when you do you may have to negotiate a severance agreement in California. Whether it is due to a lay-off, corporate restructuring, or differences in vision, the transition to a new position always presents challenges. A severance package — generally defined as benefits paid to an employee when they leave a company — helps to provide some relief during the transition.
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Nothing is more traumatic than the loss of a loved one. While a wrongful death claim can never truly make things right, it does allow family members of the deceased an opportunity to receive justice, accountability and financial support. There is also a similar (but distinct) type of legal action called a survival action claim.
The biggest question tenants have during the COVID-19 quarantine is, “What do I do if I cannot afford the rent?” The State of California recently enacted a moratorium preventing landlords from filing evictions based on nonpayment of rent. That means, if you cannot pay your rent at this time, the landlord will not be able to file an eviction lawsuit against you until the quarantine is lifted. With that said, landlords are still able to file evictions to protect public safety and health. Examples of this would be permitting a nuisance to exist in the unit, i.e., illegal activity, fire hazards, or other dangerous conditions
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Were you injured on public property in Northern California? If so, you have the right to bring a premises liability claim to seek financial compensation for your injuries-but there are some special rules and regulations that apply. Most likely, your case falls under the California Tort Claims Act (CTCA). Here, our San Francisco premises liability lawyer explains three of the most important things you need to know about accidents on public property.
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Losing a loved one is devastating. A preventable death can take a spiritual, emotional and financial toll on a family. While nothing can ever truly make up for such a heartbreaking loss, a civil wrongful death claim allows close family members of the loved one to get accountability and financial support. Below, our San Francisco wrongful death lawyer provides an overview of damages that can be recovered through a wrongful death lawsuit in California.
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When you seek professional medical care, you reasonably expect you will receive an accurate and timely diagnosis. Unfortunately, misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis remain serious problems. According to AARP, as many as 20 percent of serious medical conditions are initially misdiagnosed by medical professionals.
Rear end collisions are among the most types of traffic accidents. According to data published by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), approximately half of all multi-vehicle crashes reported in the United States are rear-end collisions.
The California final paycheck law protects employees who are quitting or being terminated by an employer. Whether you are doing so by choice or you have been terminated, changing jobs can be challenging—even more so if you do not get your final paycheck on time. In California, workers are protected by some of the strongest wage and hour laws in the country.
If your loved one was injured in a San Francisco nursing home, it is imperative you take immediate action to protect their health, well-being and legal rights. Unfortunately, nursing home injuries remain a serious problem in California. In many cases, vulnerable patients suffer injuries or develop medical conditions because of abuse or neglect at facilities.
California businesses and property owners have a duty to keep their premises in safe condition. If they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries. Unfortunately, it can be a challenge for victims to recover full and fair financial compensation through a premises liability claim.
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Unfortunately, highway construction zone accidents are a serious problem. According to the most recent data from the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 60,000 people are injured in construction accidents in the United States every year.
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If you drive regularly in the Bay Area, you know there is near constant highway construction going on in Northern California. Motorists must take additional care when going through a work zone.
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The Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 30 million Americans visit emergency departments with unintentional injuries every year. A serious injury can be incredibly disruptive for the victim and their family — on top of the long road to physical and emotional recovery, they may be left dealing with stacks of medical bills and other financial expenses.
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Merging traffic laws govern who is at fault in these types of accidents. Merging onto a highway in the San Francisco Bay Area can be challenging. We have all seen how congested our region’s roads can get. Unfortunately, in some cases, major accidents occur when motorists are trying to merge. This raises an important question: Who is at fault for a merging accident in California? (more…)
Under California premises liability laws a person who was injured on someone else’s property – whether the property was owned/managed by a business, an apartment complex, a private homeowner, or a government entity – may be entitled to financial compensation for their damages. Indeed, negligent property owners can be held financially responsible for injuries through a premises liability claim. Our legal team highlights the key things you need to know about California premises liability laws.
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Alarmingly, medical negligence is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and proving medical malpractice in California can be difficult. A 2016 study cited by The Washington Post found that only cancer and heart problems are to blame for more deaths than medical errors. If you or your family member suffered any type of injury or health complication as the result of medical negligence, you may be eligible to recover compensation through a medical malpractice claim.
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Fall accidents are one of the leading causes of severe injuries — and fatalities — for older Americans. According to the most recent data from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), more than 800,000 senior citizens are hospitalized after a fall accident every year.
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If you were injured in a car crash in California, you may be eligible to recover compensation from the at-fault driver including pain and suffering. Injured victims deserve compensation for the full value of their damages. This includes recovery for all monetary losses, such as past and future medical expenses and lost wages. Read on to learn more about the pain and suffering formula in California.
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The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most popular places to visit in the entire country. According to San Francisco Travel, approximately 25 million people visit the region each year. While Northern California is undoubtedly a wonderful vacation spot, unfortunately, an accident can happen on any trip.
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Passed into law in 1908, the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) provides important legal protections and a path to financial compensation to railroad workers who were injured while on the job. FELA is a highly complex federal law. If you or your family member was hurt while working as a railroad employee, it is imperative that you seek immediate assistance from an experienced San Francisco railroad injury attorney. (more…)
When parents trust their child to the care of another party, they are forced to put a tremendous amount of faith in the hands of the caregiver. Parents should be able to rest easy knowing their child’s health, safety, and well-being are fully protected. Yet sadly, in far too many cases, children are abused. According to the most recent data from the American Society for the Positive Care of Children (SPCC), millions of American children are abused or neglected each year. Even more alarmingly, SPCC reports that 75 percent of child victims are under the age of seven.
Led by the San Francisco-based companies Uber and Lyft, the ridesharing industry has exploded in popularity over the last five years. According to recent data from Statista, ridesharing companies now take in nearly $20 billion a year in revenue in the United States. While these vehicles offer some consumers an affordable and convenient source of transportation, there is always a risk that a serious car accident will occur.
Unfortunately, hundreds of major car accidents are reported every day across the state of California. According to the California Highway Patrol, more than 250,000 people are injured in highway collisions each year.
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According to the most recent data from the Bay Area Census, approximately half of the people in our region are renters. In San Francisco, nearly two-thirds of all housing units are listed as ‘renter occupied’. In other cities such as Oakland, Berkeley, and San Jose, the percentage of renters is almost as high.
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Motor vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of serious injuries in California. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (COTS), more than 230,000 people were hurt in auto accidents in the last year in which comprehensive data has been published. Many of these injuries were incredibly severe, sometimes even life-altering.
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On April 30, 2018, the Supreme Court of California issued an important decision affecting the analysis of whether a worker is properly classified as an independent contractor versus an employee. The classification of a worker as an employee or an independent contractor impacts the rights and remedies of workers, and it is often a contentious issue in employment and labor disputes.
California employees are protected under a web of interconnected state and federal labor laws. It is critical that all workers are able to exercise their rights, without the fear that they are going to face punishment from their employer. The good news is that Bay Area workers are protected against retaliation. Though, in practice, defining and proving retaliation can sometimes be difficult.
California is an ‘at will’ employment state. This means that your employer does not actually have to have a reason to fire you. Your employer could potentially be able to terminate you for no reason, or even for a downright silly reason. However, you do have some legal protections: your employer cannot fire you for a prohibited reason.
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San Francisco is one of the most renter-heavy cities in the entire country. According to data provided by the Bay Area Census, more than 64 percent of the total housing units in San Francisco County are ‘renter-occupied’. Just like homeowners, tenants need to know what they should do and who they can hold liable if their property is damaged in a disaster or an accident.
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According to data provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), 2017 was the most destructive year on record for wildfires in the state. In all, 9,133 reported wildfires raged, burning more than 1.2 million acres of land across California. Many structures were damaged throughout the state, with North Bay Fires hitting the northern part of the state in October, and Southern California facing severe wildfires in December.
Sexual harassment in the workplace is a very serious thing, and something that many people–many of whom are well-known or famous–are coming out about, and something to which the media is paying a lot of attention. Whether male, female, or transgender, and regardless of sexual orientation, understanding what sexual harassment in the workplace is and what your rights are if sexually harassed is important.
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Fires are very scary, and they can cause significant amounts of damage in the form of serious injuries, to personal property, and to buildings and structures. Not only are fires often devastating, but figuring out who will pay for damages after a fire can be especially confusing, specifically when the owner of the apartment/condo/home is different than the person living in it. Indeed, this begs the question: Who is liable for damages caused by a fire in a rental unit?
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As a tenant in San Francisco, you have certain rights, and your landlord has certain duties and responsibilities. While it is possible that throughout your rental history an issue will pop up between you and one of your landlords that makes living at your current place uncomfortable, invoking the help of a lawyer is not always necessary. Indeed, the majority of landlord-tenant issues are minor enough to be settled with a conversation, and perhaps some amicable negotiation.
Before you sign a lease or rental agreement and move into an apartment or house in San Francisco, you have the legal right to know certain things about the building and the space that you are about to inhabit. In fact, landlords are required to disclose a number of things about a property to a tenant before a tenant signs a rental agreement, as well as in the event that the property is sold. (more…)
Sexual harassment remains a prevailing problem in the American workplace. If you are wondering what constitutes sexual harassment, consider the following questions:
Many people are unaware of their rights when loved ones sustain serious injuries on a landlord’s property leading to death. There are chances that the claims adjuster or landlord may lead the victim’s family astray, giving them the impression that nothing can be done about their situation and that going to court will only make matters worse. (more…)
Do you have questions about California tenant eviction law? If you have been evicted from your rental home in a way that violates local or state tenant laws, you may file a lawsuit against your landlord for wrongful eviction.
However, you need to have an in-depth understanding of the legal process and the law in order to prove that the actions of your landlord were illegal and you suffered damages for which you should be compensated. The best way to ensure that your wrongful eviction case is presented in the best possible light is to work with an experienced Oakland tenant lawyer.
Residential landlords are businesses or individual property owners that rent out houses, condos, or apartments in exchange of money. When a residential landlord in San Francisco, Oakland or Berkeley rents out their property to a tenant, it is essential for the rented space to be habitable, or in other words, fit to live in. During the tenure, the landlord is required to take care of maintenance work and carry out repairs whenever necessary to ensure the rented property remains habitable.
A California family who recently relocated from another country is devastated by the death of their 9-year-old son. Family and friends gathered to hold a vigil for the deceased boy two days after he was killed on a recent Friday. This bike crash reportedly occurred at an intersection in Irvine. (more…)
The Ghost Ship warehouse tragedy has captured the attention of the nation as new facts come to light every day. (more…)
After the November 8, 2016 election, voters in Oakland, Richmond, and Mountain View have successfully amended or created some form of rent stabilization or eviction protection legislation.
Oakland’s Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance and Rent Adjustment Ordinance has been amended by Measure JJ to require landlords to file a petition with the Rent Adjustment Program prior to any rent increases above the Consumer Price Index and has expanded the Just Cause Eviction Protections for buildings built before 1996. The new amendments will go into effect on February 1, 2017. (more…)
A woman was killed in an accident in Bakersfield on a recent Sunday morning. This was one of those sad situations in which a person who had too much to drink struck a pedestrian and then drove off without checking on the victim. The person who was the alleged hit and run driver was later located and arrested.
California business owners who offer services at which members of the public can move about their premises must ensure that no hazards exist that may cause physical harm. Known hazards must be addressed, and if they cannot be rectified or removed, clear warning signs must be posted. Injuries suffered on dangerous property may lead to premises liability lawsuits. (more…)
Traffic in both directions of a roadway in the California city of Fontana was delayed for several hours on a recent Wednesday morning. This followed a fatal bike crash in which a cyclist lost his life. An incident report indicates that the accident occurred shortly after midnight, and police have confirmed the identity of the cyclist. (more…)
Road users in California will always be at risk of suffering injuries in accidents regardless of the form of transport. However, a victim of a bike crash will likely suffer more severe injuries than a person who has the protection of a car. Bicycle accidents sometimes result in catastrophic injuries such as brain trauma and internal injuries that may even be fatal. The circumstances of a bicycle accident will determine financial liability in a resulting civil lawsuit. (more…)
According to the California Highway Patrol, 10 bicycle accidents had been reported from 2001 through 2014 at a particular intersection in the Berkeley Police Department’s jurisdiction. It was also reported that almost 10 percent of employed Berkeley residents use bicycles to commute. The safety and convenience project for cyclists have reportedly not been updated since 2005. Every bike crash serves as a reminder that an updated plan is overdue. (more…)
California residents may have empathy with a child in another state who is fighting for his life in a hospital after he was hit by a car. He apparently suffered a traumatic brain injury because none of the bystanders at the accident tried to do CPR after he was struck. A spokesperson for the Red Cross says CPR is actually easy to do and can even be done without breathing into a victim’s mouth when people feel uncomfortable doing so. (more…)
California residents, like those in other states, have the right to medical care of an acceptable standard. This means that no one should be worse off after medical treatment than what they were before. Unfortunately, many medical malpractice lawsuits result from such circumstances. (more…)
A California family is grieving the loss of a beloved great-grandmother who lost her life while crossing a South Sacramento road. At the same time, they are grateful that her great-granddaughter was not with her on that day. The family says the grandmother walks that route every day, usually with the child in tow. The California Highway Patrol is investigating this fatal pedestrian accident. (more…)
The debate about when a fetus can legally be regarded as a person sparked arguments in a recent lawsuit in another state. California readers may be interested in this medical malpractice lawsuit that was recently settled shortly before the trial. The suit was filed by a couple who alleged that the doctor caused the 2011 death of their fetus at 22 weeks. (more…)
Under the vehicle code of California, vehicle operators are required to slow down and take due care in yielding the right of way to pedestrians who are in marked crosswalks. Unfortunately, not all drivers obey this law. A Petaluma driver was recently arrested after a pedestrian accident in which two people suffered injuries. (more…)
Just like in other states, owners of commercial properties in California are bound by law to provide safe premises in and around stores, parking lots and apartment buildings. Slip or trip and fall accidents can happen anywhere and often wreak havoc in the lives of injured victims. Negligent maintenance can result in a dangerous property condition that may lead to premises liability claims. (more…)
Drivers on medication can threaten their own lives and the lives of others. A 34-year-old California woman recently lost her life in a pedestrian accident that was caused by a driver who was alleged to be under the influence of prescription drugs. Authorities reported that the fatal accident occurred in the late afternoon of a recent Sunday in San Diego County. (more…)
Many California families have lost loved ones due to medical errors or negligence. Such unanticipated deaths often leave surviving family members with many questions and the desire to hold somebody accountable. A woman recently filed a medical malpractice claim against a hospital, two physicians and several other parties in another state following the avoidable death of her husband. (more…)
When a 26-year-old California man went to visit a friend in an apartment complex in July, the staircase collapsed while he was on his way to the third floor. The man died after falling from a height of more than two stories. The surviving family of the deceased man recently filed a premises liability lawsuit, claiming wrongful death. (more…)
Lawsuits against medical professionals and facilities for wrongful deaths of patients are not uncommon in California. However, wrongful birth or wrongful life lawsuits are quite unique. In a recent medical malpractice claim against a Long Beach medical center and a doctor, those are exactly the alleged claims. (more…)
Bicyclists are always more vulnerable than motorists, even if they are wearing helmets. For this reason, it is not surprising that bicycle accident victims often suffer severe injuries, and in many cases a bike crash can result in death. A recent bicycle accident in Palo Alto claimed the life of a man believed to be about 30 years old. (more…)
Almost 100 people may have been affected by a Shigella outbreak that has been traced back to a Mexican seafood restaurant in San Jose. Two lawsuits have been filed against the California restaurant and more may follow. When business owners expose patrons to dangerous conditions, they may have to face premises liability claims. (more…)
Several pedestrians were recently involved in an unusual accident in a San Juan Capistrano parking lot. An officer of the California Highway Patrol indicated that the pedestrian accident occurred when a 54-year-old man tried to maneuver a motor home into a parking spot in a park-and-ride lot. Several pedestrians were nearby, waiting for public transportation. (more…)
Far too many teenagers suffer life-threatening injuries on California roads. With National Teen Driver Safety Week around the corner, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has urged parents to have regular talks their teens about driving safety. Many a car accident, hit-and-run collision or bicycle accident caused by negligent teenage driving resulted from bad examples set by adults. The NHTSA believes that ongoing conversation about the dangerous aspects of driving may ultimately serve to save lives. (more…)
Older drivers in California are governed by a law that prevents motorists from renewing their driver’s licenses by mail once they turn 70. Those applicants have to complete a mandatory vision and written test at a DMV office. A driving test is not compulsory, but it can be ordered by a DMV worker or suggested by police, family members or doctors. After a recent car accident in Livermore, the number of pedal errors by elderly drivers is raising concern. (more…)
It is not uncommon for many victims of car accidents in California and elsewhere to refuse medical care — especially when there is no evidence of blood or broken bones. However, the impact of a car accident can cause a brain injury that might not be immediately evident. A school teacher in another state recently described why she would never again take a seemingly minor crash lightly. (more…)
Owners of buildings in California are responsible for providing safe surroundings for tenants, visitors and anybody who is lawfully on the property. Neglecting those responsibilities may lead to premises liability claims against the property owner and/or others in control of the premises. One such lawsuit was recently filed against the owner of a condominium complex in another state. (more…)
Bracamontes & Vlasak, P.C. will be filing a class action on behalf of Volkswagen owners affected by VW’s emission scandal. The EPA and California Air Resources Board have accused Volkswagen of intentionally defrauding both consumers and regulators concerning the amount of pollutants that its diesel powered vehicles emit. Volkswagen is said to have installed software that detects when the vehicle is being tested and, only at that time, activates the car’s emission controls. When the car is operated under normal driving conditions, none of the same emission controls are active. VW is recalling all affected models and the EPA is seeking fines and penalties against the manufacturer. (more…)
California drivers are sometimes challenged by weather conditions such as heavy downpours or blinding sunlight. However, a driver must be equipped to drive safely in all conditions. A child was recently severely injured in a bike crash, and the driver who knocked him down claimed to have been blinded by the sun. (more…)
In January, a VIP event was organized to celebrate the birthday of the manager of recording artist Chris Brown. The venue was a California nightclub that was selected after two previously selected venues reportedly declined to host the occasion. Those venues were reportedly warned by police of potential violence, as was the nightclub that ultimately hosted the party. As was expected, violence broke out during the evening, and it ultimately led to a premises liability claim. (more…)
Injuries suffered by California victims of accidents that involve vehicles are often ignored because no broken bones or bleeding wounds are evident. However, there are several injuries that are known to present delayed symptoms that could ultimately lead to high medical expenses. Regardless of whether a person was in a car accident, bicycle or motorcycle accident or a pedestrian accident, medical evaluations immediately after the incident may ensure timely care. (more…)
An 11-year-old boy is reportedly slowly recovering in the intensive care unit of a California hospital after he was knocked off his bicycle on a recent Monday evening. The boy was reportedly riding with friends when the hit and run accident occurred. His friends suffered no injuries and reported that the woman who struck the boy stopped and yelled at them before driving off. (more…)
A husband and wife couple in another state is advocating against underage drinking. The husband was a police officer until a 19-year-old decided to get behind the wheel of a car while he was drunk and smashed into the officer’s patrol car. The tragic accident occurred in October 2010. The accident killed one officer and caused traumatic brain injury to the other officer, and it forever changed the lives of several families. (more…)
The 14-year-old daughter of a family who is on vacation in California is fighting for her life in a trauma center in Newport Beach. She suffered critical injuries in a bike crash that occurred on a recent Tuesday evening. Police reported that this was a hit-and-run accident, and the driver was still at large at the time of the media report. (more…)
One of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States, including in California, is traumatic brain injury. Despite calls for motorcyclists, bicycle riders and sports participants to wear helmets to protect their heads, catastrophic head injuries — and deaths — of people who prefer not to wear helmets continue to be reported. A June incident in another state left a high school graduate with a severe brain injury after he went long boarding without wearing a helmet. (more…)
Losing a child in an accident is an experience not wished upon any parent. A California family has to cope with such a tragedy after their 6-year-old boy was recently killed in a pedestrian accident. The incident reportedly occurred on the property of an apartment complex in Santa Ana at which the young boy and a friend were riding their skateboards. (more…)
Drivers on California roads may not always be as observant as necessary. This is evident from a fatal bike crash that also involved a passenger vehicle. The victim of this accident was a 63-year-old man from Palo Alto. (more…)
Those who manage places such as airports have an enormous responsibility to provide safe surroundings. The high number of people moving about airports nationwide, including California, greatly increases the potential for someone suffering a personal injury while on the premises. An airport company, a maintenance company and a city in another state were named defendants in a premises liability lawsuit that was recently filed by a couple after the wife allegedly suffered injuries when she fell to the ground. (more…)
Pedestrians in California are vulnerable, especially when they are out walking in foggy and misty weather conditions. Motor vehicle operators must be able to drive safely in any circumstances and cannot be distracted by weather conditions. In fact, they must be extra vigilant and operate their vehicles in accordance with prevailing conditions. A pedestrian accident recently caused the death of a woman in such circumstances when she was struck by an automobile. (more…)
Cancer survivors in California may agree that they might not have beaten the disease had it not been diagnosed in a timely manner. Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis are some of the common errors made by medical professionals, and unfortunately, the results often lead to prolonged suffering or untimely deaths. A doctor and a home health care company in another state are facing a medical malpractice lawsuit related to allegations of a delayed diagnosis.
The smallest mistake made by a doctor can have devastating consequences. California residents have the right to take action to seek recovery of financial damages brought about by doctors’ negligence. A couple in another state has done so by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against two ophthalmologists. (more…)
On the evening of Jan. 28, a three-story, mixed-use building on the corner of Mission and 22nd streets caught fire. It was a three-alarm blaze that wasn’t contained until after midnight and continued to smolder. One person died in the fire and at least six more were injured by smoke inhalation. At least 60 residents of the building and at least 15 businesses were displaced. (more…)
California readers will likely know that brain injuries are prevalent among sports people; however, anybody can be a victim of such injuries. Pro cyclist Ian Crane suffered a severe brain injury while he participated in the USA Pro Challenge in August of last year. He was riding behind a crew vehicle that was associated with the race when the car unexpectedly stopped. Ian collided with the rear of the vehicle and was sent flying into its rear window. (more…)
Families who lose loved ones in hit-and-run accidents typically have many questions. One question that will likely never be answered is how a driver could simply drive off after killing another person. A California family is heartbroken after a 53-year-old loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident on a recent Wednesday morning. (more…)
Losing a child is an experience not wished on anybody. The newborn son of a California couple died in a Modesto hospital only 43 days after his birth in 2012. The family has had to cope with many unanswered questions since that sad day. Three years later, they were provided with some answers that resulted in their filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. (more…)
A surgical procedure that lasted for seven hours caused the Medical Board of California to look into the actions of a surgeon and physician in Merced. Whenever surgery is suggested, the doctor is expected to discuss the procedure and alternative treatment options with the patient. Leaving a patient uninformed may give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit. (more…)
After improvements to the Mill Valley-Sausalito Path had been completed, officials launched a program to promote safety for everyone who uses the pathway. The program is called Share the Path and aims to encourage cyclists and pedestrians to be responsible and courteous while using the pedestrian/bike trail. Despite this campaign, an elderly woman was injured in a pedestrian accident when she was knocked down by a bicycle rider on a recent Tuesday evening. (more…)
The California Third District Court of Appeal recently overturned an order for summary judgment issued by a Superior Court judge. The case involves a premises liability claim made by a non-English-speaking member of a health and fitness club. The woman claims to have suffered severe injuries when she a fell from a treadmill at the defendant’s premises. (more…)
Brain injuries can result from various causes, including blunt force trauma, whiplashes, falls and assault. Being exposed to toxic substances or deprived of oxygen can also lead to traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, in some cases, even the most advanced medical techniques cannot reverse the damage, and some California families may spend years hoping for miracles to improve the conditions of injured loved ones. (more…)
It is not uncommon for residents of California and elsewhere who suffered injuries to want to give it some time to see if the pain will subside. Ignoring pain may not be a good idea, as it could lead to conditions that are even more serious. A California man whose injured finger caused relentless pain filed a medical malpractice claim against a doctor’s office, claiming a doctor’s mistake. (more…)
The findings of a recent study show that decreased verbal memory can be the result of loss of consciousness (LOC) at the time of suffering a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Many veterans in the U.S.A. — including some in California — who served in other war-torn countries suffer various consequences. This study determined that those with mild traumatic brain injury can also be diagnosed and treated. (more…)
While many California residents have crashed while riding bicycles at some point in their lives, few may be aware of the increase in the severity of such crashes when vehicles are involved. Bicycle riders have no protection against the weight and force of cars, and it is not uncommon for such a bike crash to lead to catastrophic injuries and even death. When a pickup truck recently struck a bicycle in Kings County, a child lost his life, and his father suffered severe injuries. (more…)
One of the biggest fears most people in California and other states have for their unborn or newborn babies is the presence of abnormalities or conditions that are present or are caused at birth. Unfortunately, congenital diseases are not uncommon, and when such a condition is present at birth, the appropriate treatment immediately after birth is vital. A medication error or doctor’s mistake at that stage could adversely affect the child for the remainder of his or her life. (more…)
Authorities in California and other states believe that both bicyclists and motorists should obey the rules of the road in order to reduce the numbers of fatalities and traumatic brain injuries suffered by bicycle riders. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s records show that the high number of 682 deaths in bicycle accidents in 2011 rose to an even higher number of 726 in 2012. A police officer in the crime prevention department of another state notes that safe driving habits by all can improve the situation. (more…)
Car accidents that cause life-threatening injuries to pedestrians are naturally tragic affairs. Nevertheless, some such accidents may seem more tragic than others. A 21-year-old California mother of an 11-month-old boy was declared brain-dead a few days after she and her baby were hit by an SUV in a recent pedestrian accident. (more…)
California residents who need dental care may be interested to learn about the risks to which they may be exposed when they visit dentists. After receiving a complaint from a worker who felt his or her safety was threatened at the dental practice where he or she worked, the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) assigned an inspector to investigate the claim. It was ultimately determined that not only employees, but also patients, were exposed to life-threatening hazards caused by the dentist’s disregard for safety regulations. Such negligence may lead to patients filing medical malpractice claims. (more…)
If you were injured on the job, you might think that workers’ compensation insurance is your only avenue of recovery. Under what is called the “exclusive remedy rule,” recovery and benefits related to a workplace accident are generally limited to those secured under the workers’ comp system. (more…)
Hospital officials in California reported the death of two patients and the illness of five others after contaminated duodenoscopes were used in surgical procedures. Such incidents often give rise to medical malpractice lawsuits against medical facilities, doctors and the manufacturers of medical devices. By inserting these devices down a patient’s throat, the duodenum area can be reached via the stomach and problems in the pancreas, liver and bile ducts can be diagnosed and treated. Following these incidents, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it will be beefing up the procedures whereby manufacturers test reusable medical devices. (more…)
When motor vehicles and bicycles collide, it is not uncommon for cyclists to suffer life-changing or catastrophic injuries. Fractures, back and/or neck injuries and traumatic brain injuries are all too common results. Victims of bicycle accidents caused by the negligence of another party are fully entitled to pursue claims for recovery of monetary damages in a California civil court proceeding. (more…)
Before filing an unlawful detainer action – commonly known as eviction – in San Francisco, a landlord must issue a three-day notice. If you receive notice to “pay rent or quit” from your landlord, it is crucial to understand your legal options and take action as soon as possible. (more…)
When California residents are attacked by dogs on other people’s properties, they retain the right to pursue compensation for the resulting medical expenses. However, as a premises liability claim can take a long time to process, there are some steps to be taken immediately after the incident. Regardless of the severity of the injury, accurate records should be kept as evidence to protect the rights of the victim. (more…)
Most people would expect a facility such as the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center to have proper procedures in place for controlling the supply chain of medicines. However, this facility was recently penalized after the state Department of Public Health found there was a lack of safety in obtaining and storing medicines. In addition, procedures in distributing and dispensing of medicines were also handled in manners that could lead to a medication error. (more…)
The extreme cold conditions of winter pose dangerous risks, not only to stranded travelers and the homeless, but also to California homeowners and those renting apartments. A case where six occupants of an apartment building in another state suffered carbon monoxide poisoning may underscore the importance of landlords ensuring proper maintenance of their buildings. Premises liability claims may follow incidents where tenants suffered personal injury or worse as the result of a landlord’s negligence. (more…)
Patients in California hospitals would naturally hate to have to compete with their doctor’s smartphone for his or her attention. Advocates of patient safety are concerned about the increasing number of incidents where patients are harmed by medical errors of physicians and other healthcare personnel who are distracted by their cell phones. A significant number of medical malpractice lawsuits in recent years arose from such distractions. (more…)
Brain injuries are commonly caused by accidental head injuries, such as is often suffered in car accidents. The number of brain injuries in California and other states are rising, and according to the American Academy of Neurology, approximately 1.5 million people in the U.S. were living with a brain injury by the end of December of last year. Although many brain injuries result from sports activities, a large percentage result from vehicle accidents — including motorcycles, ATVs and bicycle accidents. (more…)
Women who have medical conditions that may endanger the lives of mother and child need to be able to trust their physicians completely during pregnancy to avoid additional stress. In some cases, doctor negligence may have devastating consequences. Medical malpractice claims may result from injuries or death caused by medical errors or negligence. (more…)
The number of distracted driving accidents on California roads, along with their devastating consequences, are causing rising concern. Although it is unlawful to text or talk on a handheld mobile device while driving, many car accidents caused by texting drivers occur on a regular basis. A victim of such an accident, who suffered a traumatic brain injury and lost both her parents, recently described how the accident had changed her life. (more…)
In California, the right of way in crosswalks belongs to pedestrians. However, many motorists disregard this law and rush through intersections regardless. Unfortunately, the consequences of a speeding or distracted driver causing a pedestrian accident are often catastrophic. Vehicle drivers must be cognizant of road signs warning them of upcoming pedestrian crosswalks, as a moment’s distraction may cause a driver to be unprepared for pedestrians in a crosswalk. (more…)
When California residents suffer unfamiliar symptoms, they typically consult with a physician. Most people trust the doctor’s years of training and experience to enable him or her to make an accurate diagnosis of an illness. However, this is not always the case as doctors sometimes fail to accurately diagnose the condition, and at times, an incorrect diagnosis is made. Such doctor errors may lead to medical malpractice claims. (more…)
Brain injuries occur in a number of different sports, including football, ice hockey, boxing, soccer and snowboarding. Repeated concussions pose potentially dangerous long-term effects, and more than 4,500 former professional football players took legal action against the NFL last year, claiming it failed to inform players of the dangers of repeated brain injury from head bumps and concussion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that almost four million students at high schools nationwide suffer injuries to their heads annually. (more…)
Thousands of visitors choose to spend their vacations in San Francisco every year. Because of the large volume of traffic on San Francisco roads, pedestrian accidents are regular occurrences and may spoil an otherwise perfect holiday. A tourist who has suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident while on vacation may be at a disadvantage if he or she delays taking legal action to pursue compensation. (more…)
California residents who believe that they are suffering the consequences of a medical professional’s negligence may consider taking legal action. However, this area of the law is very complex and determining whether you have a valid medical malpractice claim may prove to be more difficult than you thought. Will you be able to prove that a medical professional made an error that could have been prevented? Even if you are convinced that you have reason to file a lawsuit, it may be wise to consult with an attorney who is experienced in the field of medical malpractice. (more…)
It is not uncommon to suffer personal injury in the parking areas of California shopping malls, businesses and apartment complexes, or parking garages. The owners, lessees and/or managers of such properties are responsible for maintaining parking lots free of personal injury hazards. When individuals suffer injuries that are caused by the negligence of those with responsibility for the premises, they are entitled to pursue claims for recovery of any resulting damages by filing a premises liability claim against the appropriate parties. (more…)
California bicyclists are likely aware of the dangers they are exposed to on the busy roads of our state. The consequences of a bike crash can be life-changing and may include fractured bones, internal trauma, catastrophic injuries or brain damage. Sadly, fatalities are also not uncommon in bicycle accidents. Victims of bicycle crashes may decline medical attention immediately after an accident, but should keep in mind that some injuries only become apparent later, and a thorough medical examination may benefit any future claim. (more…)
A chartered bus crashed just south of the California Oregon border killing one person and causing severe head injuries to many others. Earlier that same day, the driver of the bus, Jose Victor Garcilazo, had crashed into a Denny’s restaurant. While no one was injured during the earlier crash, it is unknown why Mr. Garcilazo continued driving. The California Highway Patrol have not stated whether drugs or alcohol were a factor in the deadly crash. (more…)
Pedestrians who are struck by motor vehicles commonly suffer severe injuries, and even death is a high probability. Accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles remain a serious problem on California roads. Statistics show that more pedestrian accidents happen in urban areas than in rural areas, and although many pedestrian accidents occur at crosswalks and intersections, more occur in other areas where vehicles travel at higher rates of speed. Another interesting fact is that most fatalities and injuries for pedestrians are recorded in the late-night hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. However, official sources say that children and elderly people are most vulnerable to being a victim of a pedestrian accident. (more…)
Most California residents experience anxiety when they are diagnosed with an illness that requires unfamiliar treatment. In such cases, most patients trust their physician to fully explain the illness and treatment. The patient should have the right to decide ultimately whether he or she wants to go ahead with the procedure or treatment. Unauthorized treatment may lead to a medical malpractice lawsuit. (more…)
Premises liability claims in California may arise from numerous dangerous conditions that could be present on public property or the premises of home or store owners. The hazards could include staircases that are poorly lit or without handrails, uneven or damaged walkways, wet floors and defective elevators. Inadequate security, dog bites and falling merchandise have also been known to lead to premises liability actions. (more…)
California residents who have a loved one who is suffering the consequences of brain damage may be overwhelmed by the complexities of gathering the necessary information to pursue recovery of damages. When a brain injury is caused by the negligence of another party, the medical expenses could be astronomical, and in many cases ongoing for many years. While insurance companies may be quick in offering settlements, victims may be wise to retain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure full and fair compensation. (more…)
Anytime a California resident enters a public place such as a store, apartment building or other public building, the owners and managers are required to take reasonable steps to ensure your safety. When those steps are not taken, someone could be injured. If you suffer an injury while on the property, you may be entitled to seek damages under premises liability laws. (more…)
The San Francisco Administrative Code (Rent Ordinance) has been amended by adding Section 37.9E to address tenant buyouts. The new section is designed to respond to the housing crisis in San Francisco and provide information to tenants concerning buyouts in their neighborhood, their right to legal counsel, and to require that landlords file buyout agreements with the Rent Board for public disclosure. Pursuant to new Section 37.9E of the San Francisco Rent Ordinance, tenants also have 45 days to rescind buyout agreements entered into, and have the right to file civil suits against landlords who fail to provide the required disclosures about tenant’s rights when negotiating a tenant buyout. (more…)
Pedestrian accidents can often be severe enough, but when a child is killed, it can create massive amounts of emotional pain for the parents. If the accident is a hit-and-run, it can make the act of coming to terms with their loss even more difficult for the parents, as they are not able to face those at fault. One recent pedestrian accident that killed a child in California was a hit-and-run, but two individuals have recently turned themselves in. (more…)
When people play sports, such as football and baseball, they typically wear helmets to protect them from brain injuries. However, there are some instances where California residents do not wear a helmet to protect themselves from injury. One such instance is when individuals are within an enclosed motor vehicle on a roadway. While a car offers a certain level of protection, it cannot always protect against a traumatic brain injury, or TBI. (more…)
Car accidents involving pedestrians are often, by their nature, severe. The pedestrians involved in these types of accidents can be left with serious injuries — or worse — since their size and lack of protection cannot compete with that of a vehicle. Unfortunately, a recent pedestrian accident in California injured multiple victims. (more…)
A car accident involving a pedestrian can leave the pedestrian with physical injuries, but if the driver leaves the scene of the accident, it can often cause emotional pain as well. This emotional pain can impact the victim’s daily life in a major way, and even hinder the individual’s ability to heal hir or her physical injuries. Unfortunately, one driver ran away from the scene of the pedestrian accident that she had allegedly caused in California. (more…)
Pedestrian accidents occur every day throughout the United States and often have varying injury severity. The small profile of pedestrians can make it difficult enough for most drivers to see them, but if a driver is intoxicated, it can be even more difficult to see pedestrians. Unfortunately, this can often lead to accidents that injure or even kill the pedestrian involved. A pedestrian accident in California recently killed one woman. (more…)
Car accidents that involve multiple vehicles can sometimes be serious enough to injure those involved, but if a pedestrian is involved, the severity of the accident can increase rapidly. The lack of protection that a pedestrian has, combined with the numerous cars involved, can often leave the pedestrian with serious or even fatal injuries. If the pedestrian is tragically killed, then the family of the victim can suddenly be flooded with emotional pain from the loss of a loved one. Unfortunately, one person was killed recently in a pedestrian accident in California. (more…)
Although drinking alcohol in moderation is socially acceptable in certain environments, it is never acceptable or safe for an individual to drink alcohol and get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Impaired judgment can put both the driver’s and others’ lives at risk when an intoxicated person decides to drive, as that impaired judgment can easily lead to an accident. These accidents can often injure or even kill those involved. Unfortunately, one pedestrian accident in California may have been caused by drunk driving. (more…)
Pedestrian accidents are not uncommon on the various roads that wind through the United States, but the severity of these types of accidents can vary greatly. If the accident occurs at relatively low speeds, the injuries suffered may only be minor, however the severity of the accident can be increased rapidly if it takes place at high speeds. These high speeds combined with the lack of protection that a pedestrian has can leave the victim with serious or even fatal injuries. One pedestrian accident in California recently killed an individual. (more…)
Car accidents can be serious enough if two motor vehicles are involved, but the severity of the accident can quickly increase if a pedestrian is involved. The lack of protection that a pedestrian has in a car accident can sadly often leave them with serious or even fatal injuries. Unfortunately, many pedestrians are not seen by those drivers who are less observant than is safe, even if the pedestrian is in an intersection. One pedestrian accident in California recently killed one victim and injured another. (more…)
Bicyclists are safe when riding along main roads the majority of the time, but when a driver drives in a negligent manner near bicycle riders, it can often create severely dangerous situations. If the driver is driving under the influence, these situations can quickly become accidents that leave those involved seriously injured. One woman has pleaded not guilty to charges against her that stemmed from a bike crash in California. (more…)
Car accidents between two motor vehicles can often be serious enough but, if a pedestrian is involved, the severity of the injuries can increase dramatically. Some drivers are not always aware of their surroundings, which can be detrimental to pedestrians near the vehicle. This type of negligence can quickly create collisions that can leave those involved seriously injured or worse. Unfortunately, one pedestrian accident in California recently took the life of one person. (more…)
Accidents involving pedestrians and motor vehicles can often have devastating outcomes, with the pedestrians being seriously injured or even killed in the accident. Unfortunately, the lack of protection that pedestrians have when walking near roads can often leave them with injuries that are far more severe than those that are received by the driver of the vehicle. One pedestrian accident in California recently injured six people. (more…)
Car accidents take place throughout the United States every day, but many of these accidents are not severe enough to injure the individuals involved. However, if a pedestrian is involved in an accident with a motor vehicle, the severity of the collision can increase drastically. The pedestrian can often be left with serious injuries that can even be fatal in certain circumstances. Unfortunately, one pedestrian accident in California recently killed one man. (more…)
A medical center and two of its doctors are being sued by a patient treated at the center. In the medical malpractice suit, the man accuses the doctors of a failure to make a proper diagnosis, while accusing the facility of insufficient training and supervision of their employees as well as an inability to ensure the required standard of care. Medical malpractice suits in the United States, including California, provides patients who feel they have been let down by the medical profession a means of recourse. (more…)
Effective June 1, 2014, a landlord who evicts a tenant with a rent-controlled unit in San Francisco under the Ellis Act will be required to pay the tenant an amount equal to the difference between the tenant’s current rent and the market rental rate for a comparable unit over a two year period. (more…)
Fatal accidents can be tragic enough for the family members of the deceased victims, but when the person at fault leaves the scene, it can be even more emotionally trying on the family. If the person at fault is not found, it can create large amounts of pain for those looking for justice for the fatalities, and may inhibit the family’s ability to heal. Unfortunately, one driver in California recently left the scene of a car accident. (more…)
Car accidents can often injure those involved if the circumstances surrounding the accident are serious enough. When a bicyclist is involved, the injuries to the cyclist can be severe. The lack of protection that a bicycle offers when involved a car accident can often leave the rider seriously injured or even killed. Unfortunately, a bike crash in California recently caused the death of one victim. (more…)
Car accidents that involve two standard motor vehicles can often be dangerous enough, but when a bicyclist is involved the situation can be even more tragic. The lack of protection that bicyclists have can add to the danger since they are often near other vehicles that are massive in comparison. If an accident occurs, it can often leave the rider of the bicycle with serious injuries that alter their lives for an extended period of time. Unfortunately, one bike crash in California recently sent one man to the hospital. (more…)
Large machinery is often used by various companies to complete tasks such as hauling items throughout the United States. However, these massive motor vehicles can sometimes have large blind spots that do not allow the drivers to properly see their surroundings. This can lead to accidents that injure or even kill those involved, especially if pedestrians are involved. Unfortunately, one pedestrian accident in California recently killed one person. (more…)
Car accidents that end in the death of the victim can be emotionally trying for the family of the victim, but the months after can be even harder for the family. If the driver who caused the accident is charged criminally, the case can be a constant reminder for the family of their loss. However, one family in California recently received some closure as the driver was convicted for her involvement in the car accident. (more…)
Accidents take place across the United States, but when an individual is injured or killed, those responsible must be held accountable. However, if a child is killed by the accident, after those at fault were warned about the dangerous object that caused the accident, the parents may wish to file a claim against those responsible. Unfortunately, one young child was killed recently in California by the dangerous property of one place of business. (more…)
Use of tractor-trailers is often a popular way for goods to be transported throughout the United States, but when these massive vehicles are in an accident with other vehicles, it can have catastrophic results. However, when these individuals are pedestrians, the accident can be even more tragic, especially if the victim is killed in the accident. These types of accidents can leave huge emotional tolls on the families of those killed. Unfortunately, one pedestrian accident in California killed one person recently. (more…)
Serious car accidents can be tragic enough, but, if a pedestrian is involved, the collision can become much more severe. Unfortunately, negligent driving around a pedestrian can quickly create a dangerous situation that becomes an accident. The lack of protection that pedestrians have can mean that they are left with serious or even fatal injuries while the occupants of the vehicles are uninjured. One man was killed recently in California in a pedestrian accident. (more…)
Car accidents occur every day in the United States, although many of these accidents are not severe enough to cause injuries. However, if a pedestrian is involved in the accident, the severity can quickly increase and the pedestrian can be seriously injured. The lack of protection that pedestrians have can put them at a higher risk of injury than an individual in a car. Unfortunately, one pedestrian accident in California recently injured on individual. (more…)
Although the actual accident took place a few years ago, a driver recently entered a no contest plea before a California criminal court in reference to a 2012 pedestrian accident. The pedestrian accident left a Chico State University student severely injured. Tragically, drugs and alcohol played a role in this preventable incident. (more…)
Ordinance No. 43-14, which provides a process for real property owners to legalize existing in-law units, goes into effect on May 17, 2014. The ordinance applies to existing residential in-law units that were constructed prior to January 1, 2013 without a permit. Generally, the ordinance does not apply if a notice of eviction was served on a tenant after March 13, 2014 pursuant to the no-fault eviction provisions in sections 37.9(a)(8) through 37.9(a)(14) of the San Francisco Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Ordinance.
To legalize an in-law unit, an owner, or an authorized agent of an owner, must first go through a screening process to determine whether the in-law unit is eligible for legalization. After completion of the screening process, the owner or agent may then apply for the necessary permits to legalize the uni. If a tenant must be temporarily displaced due to work required to legalize an in-law unit, the landlord must provide relocation assistance pursuant to section 37.9C of the Rent Ordinance or California Civil Code § 1947.9, where displacement is for less than 20 days.
Once the screening process is initiated, enforcement of any pending notice of violation issued by the Department of Building Inspection for the in-law unit is temporarily suspended if all violations in the notice would be corrected by legalization of the unit. Additionally, the notice of violation is rescinded if the in-law unit is legalized within one year upon commencement of the screening process.
The legalization of an in-law unit will not affect whether the unit is subject to the San Francisco Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Ordinance. Accordingly, if an in-law unit was subject to the Rent Ordinance prior to legalization, it will remain subject to the Rent Ordinance after legalization. Further, a landlord may not pass the costs of legalization of an in-law unit to tenants via a rent increase.
For years, tenants who resided in unpermitted in-law units were at risk of losing their rent-controlled tenancies under section 37.9(a)(10) of the Rent Ordinance, which allows a landlord to recover possession of unit in order to demolish or permanently remove the rental unit from housing use. Many tenants in in-law units have also been left without administrative recourse for housing code violations, as an inspection by the Department of Building Inspection for habitability issues would often lead to a notice of violation being issued for the unpermitted in-law unit. With the passing of this Ordinance, these tenancies can now be given legal status, eliminating the fear of eviction pursuant to section 37.9(a)(10) and providing tenants with a means to force the landlord to maintain habitable premises. Although legalization of in-law units can only be initiated by owners, owners are incentivized to take advantage of this Ordinance, as they will be able to continue to collect rent for their in-law units without the fear of being forced to demolish them after being cited with a notice of violation from the Department of Building Inspection.
Many people are beginning to become more concerned with the safety of bicyclists. Bicycle accidents are becoming far too common for the fully exposed cycling enthusiasts. As a result, efforts are being made by local California bicyclists to find a way to make automobile drivers share the roadways. (more…)
Most people do not go to the doctor unless they feel that there is a significant reason for the visit, and they usually expect to get a proper diagnosis. However, medical misdiagnosis is something for which all people are at risk when they seek medical attention. Most people in California may not be aware of just how alarming the statistics are for medical malpractice cases. (more…)
When alcohol is consumed in any amount, the likelihood of impaired judgment and slower reaction time increases. These changes in the body’s functionality can result in severe damages when combined with the operation of a vehicle. A recent car accident in California is likely to have resulted from the combination of alcohol and driving. (more…)
CNN recently took a look at how coming innovations might make driving safer, less stressful and more environment-friendly. Some of the innovations are already in place, some are in the pipeline, while others are in a more distant future. (more…)
Losing a loved one is an understandably difficult situation, even when it is a natural death. The emotions that can come with a loss can be confusing and overwhelming. What can make the death of a family member or friend even harder is finding out that there was an error and that the loved one may still be alive if not for that mistake. This is sadly the case that may have led to a medical malpractice lawsuit in California. (more…)
On the Bay Area’s crisscrossing web of highways, there are no vehicles more dangerous than tractor-trailers. Because of their sheer size and weight, they are difficult to maneuver and to bring to a stop. Because of design flaws, blind spots exist for truckers behind the wheels of the behemoths, making it impossible at times for them to even see objects and people near their vehicles. (more…)
In what we would hope would be an extremely unusual medical malpractice matter, a California hospital is being sued for prematurely pronouncing a woman as dead and then placing her inside of a hospital freezer. The woman’s family is now alleging that the woman froze to death. (more…)
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is one of the largest fraternities, with chapters stretching from San Francisco to New York and from Arizona to Florida. A look at the map of chapters on the frat’s website shows it crisscrosses the nation. (more…)
Experts say that one of the best ways for San Francisco bicyclists to stay safe on city streets is to be predictable. Drivers come to expect certain behaviors from bicyclists and when new bicyclists deviate from the norm, they can quickly find out how little attention is paid to them by motorists often distracted, speeding or ignoring traffic signs. (more…)
We live in one of the most scenic cities in America, but it is also one of the most dangerous. (more…)
Bracamontes & Vlasak, P.C., is a Bay Area litigation practice for plaintiffs with offices in Oakland and San Francisco. We focus on the rights of individuals and families, whether as injury victims, employees, tenants, consumers or citizens. We fight so that you don't have to.
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