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Civil Lawsuits for Sexual Abuse

July 29, 2015 by

In 2005, famous comedian Bill Cosby testified in a civil lawsuit brought against him by a former employee of Temple University.  The civil lawsuit arose out of claims that Cosby tricked the plaintiff into taking drugs and then subsequently sexually assaulted her. In Cosby’s testimony, he admitted that he had obtained seven prescriptions for Quaaludes in the 1970s and that he had thought about using the drugs on women who he wanted to engage in sexual behavior.  While he did not admit to giving … [Read more...]

Who is Legally Entitled to Make Medical Decisions for a Brain Injury Victim?

July 28, 2015 by

Brain injuries can result in a concussion and loss of consciousness. A brain injury victim may suffer permanent cognitive impairments and loss of function.  As a result of the nature of brain injuries,  victims who sustain this type of injury often lack the capacity to make medical decisions on their own behalf. When a victim can no longer understand the risks and benefits of medical treatment, or can no longer communicate his wishes about medical treatment, someone else will need … [Read more...]

Why Do Some Automobile Cases in California Settle While Others Go to Trial?

July 27, 2015 by

  In a perfect world, the person responsible for your injuries would have sufficient insurance to cover all your damages, and the insurance company would be willing to settle your case for a fair and just amount. The fact is we do not live in a perfect world. We live in a world where insurance companies fight over even the smallest and most justifiable cases in order to protect their profits. We live in a world where insurance adjusters use tactics designed to entice accident victims to … [Read more...]

What Should I Do If I’ve Been Injured by a Product?

July 23, 2015 by

You have the right to expect all the products you use are reasonably safe and will function for their intended use.  You also have the right to expect that you will be warned of significant dangers and hazards of any product you buy.  California Civil Code Sections 1792-1795.8 outline many of the responsibilities of manufacturers.  For example, California law makes clear that there is an implied warranty of merchantability and fitness; the a product you purchase will … [Read more...]

Child Injuries in Unsecured Swimming Pools

July 22, 2015 by

The California Swimming Pool Safety Act establishes rules for securing swimming pools to prevent drowning accidents.  Swimming pools are considered an attractive nuisance, which means they can entice children or trespassers onto a property and can be dangerous to those trespassers.  Because of the significant risk, a pool presents to children, homeowners and other property owners with pools must ensure they are following all safety regulations and taking appropriate precautions to prevent … [Read more...]

What Information Should I Obtain From the Other Party After a Car Accident?

July 21, 2015 by

California Vehicle Code Section 20001 requires the driver of a vehicle involved in a collision to immediately stop if the accident causes injury or death. Vehicle Code Section 20002 mandates a driver to stop at the nearest safe location after an accident where there is property damage but no injuries. Drivers must stop so they can render aid to those who are injured and so they can exchange information. California is a fault state for car accidents, so the driver who causes a crash should pay … [Read more...]

Free Report: Truck Driver Responsibilities in California

July 20, 2015 by

Truck drivers have responsibilities imposed under state law as well as under federal law. The duties that a professional trucker has are more extensive than the responsibilities of a typical motorist because trucks are more difficult to drive and because truck crashes can be much more dangerous than typical accidents involving passenger vehicles only. It is important for victims of truck crashes to understand truck driver responsibilities. When a trucker fails to live up to all his obligations, … [Read more...]

Your Legal Rights After A Parking Lot Accident

July 16, 2015 by

Most of us use parking lots without considering the potential safety hazards. We think that since cars travel at a low rate of speed, parking lot accidents are unlikely. Parking lots are actually dangerous places for pedestrians and drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that parking lots are one of the most common sites of back-over crashes.  Back-over accidents happen when a driver pulls out of a parking spot and runs over a pedestrian because the driver … [Read more...]

Hotel Slip and Fall Accidents

July 15, 2015 by

Whether you are on a business trip or enjoying a family vacation, being injured in a hotel slip and fall accident can spoil your plans and put your life on hold while you recover. We expect hotels to be safe. We want to enjoy comfortable rooms, restaurants and amenities that are free from hazards. California hotels have a high standard of excellence, but sometimes hotel slip and fall accidents occur regardless of the hotel chain or the hotel’s reputation. If a hotel breaches its duty to keep … [Read more...]

Hands-Free Phone Use Can Cause Distracted Driving Accidents

July 14, 2015 by

An in-depth study published on Distraction.gov revealed that “the relative risk of [being in a traffic accident while using a cell phone] is similar to the hazard associated with driving with a blood alcohol level at the legal limit.”   Despite the clear and present danger, Distraction.gov also reported that at any given daylight hour, there are 600,000 drivers on the roads holding phones to their ears. States have attempted to address the distracted driving issue by imposing … [Read more...]