Recent Blog Posts
What Should I Do With a Defective Product?
It is a well-established legal principle that manufacturers who create and then distribute a dangerous or defective product that ends up causing injury to a customer may be ordered in a personal injury lawsuit to pay compensatory damages to the injured customers. However, any such damages are only recovered after a settlement has been… Read More »
Chief Justice’s “State of the Court” Address Smacks of Politics (?)
A few weeks ago, many of us lawyers and judges, selected leaders from across the state, came together in Sacramento to lobby legislators to give more attention to the needs of the courts and access to justice in our legal system through funding of needed repairs and construction to facilities, budgetary concerns regarding staffing… Read More »
What to Bring to Your Free Initial Consultation
Visiting your California personal injury lawyer for the first time can be intimidating, especially when you or your loved one are reeling from the effects of a personal injury accident. Yet speaking with an attorney is the first step toward recovering the compensation and monetary damages you need to address your losses and expenses…. Read More »
Is California a “Fault” State for Car Insurance Purposes?
When a California car crash occurs, which driver’s insurance pay for the damages? This is a fundamental question that many car crash injury victims have in the aftermath of a collision. After all, identifying the proper insurance company with which to file a claim, or identifying the party who may be responsible for paying… Read More »
Damaged Sidewalks Now Cause for Lawsuit Against Cities
Compared to drivers of motor vehicles, bicyclists must be aware of the many hazards around them that can lead to a serious bicycling accident. Some of these hazards are ones that would not be considered “hazards” for drivers of motor vehicles, such as roads with small cracks, potholes, and other such dangers. One bicyclist… Read More »
Will My Personal Injury Case Settle?
Although television shows and movies glorify dramatic “courtroom battles” between attorneys, the truth is that many personal injury cases are not litigated at all. Instead, it is common for many cases to settle out of court. Settlement agreements usually present both sides of a dispute with advantages over proceeding to a trial before a… Read More »
Most Common Causes of Water-Related Injuries
Spring is upon us, and in just a few short months, summer will be in full swing. This means that individuals and families in California and across the nation will soon populate the shores of beaches, lakes, and pools alike. For many, the cool and enticing water is too much of a temptation to… Read More »
What is Comparative Negligence?
California follows what is known as a “pure” comparative fault standard. That allows a plaintiff to recover damages after his or her percentage of fault has been deducted, from the total percentage of fault, of one-hundred percent (100%). Plaintiff can recover damages in the percentage of fault attributable to the defendant’s negligent conduct. The… Read More »
Are Legal Aid Groups at Risk?
There are currently (at least) two factors that could put legal aid groups in our State at risk for decreased funding. On the Federal side, President Donald J. Trump appears to have eliminated annual grants for the 11 legal aid non-profit recipients in California in his proposed draft budget for 2018. $43.6 million dollars… Read More »
Workers’ Comp Needs Changes
I, personally, do not practice in the area of workers’ compensation. Richard Irwin, of Heiting & Irwin, however, is certified specialist in workers’ compensation for the last 20 plus years. I get to see how hard he works for his clients and how frustrating the workers’ compensation system can be. I’ve been following the… Read More »
