Public access to court records vs. litigant privacy: leveling the playing field
Pursuant to Rule of Court 2.550(c) and its predecessor, California court records have long been “presumed to be open” to the public, absent exceptions for confidentiality required by law. But even ten...
View ArticleTort claimants’ liability for decedent’s pre-death medical expenses
In California tort litigation arising from a wrongful death, the question often arises as to whether plaintiff claimants bear legal responsibility for the pre-death medical expenses of their decedent....
View ArticleSeeking punitive damages in California drunk driving accident cases
In motor vehicle personal injury or wrongful death cases where the responsible driver was allegedly intoxicated, the injured plaintiff may want to consider seeking an award of punitive (or exemplary)...
View ArticleThe ‘rescue doctrine’ in California: whose fault counts?
As common law doctrines evolve, sometimes their rationale, and proper application, can get lost; that can be because of just one “less than thoughtful” reported appellate decision. One example is an...
View ArticleSmartphone Use While Driving: The Next Frontier in California Punitive...
It is hard to think of any public safety issue that has received more attention over the last few years than the use of smartphones while driving...
View ArticleDomestic Partner Coverage Rights Under the California Insurance Equality Act
Under California law, registered domestic partners are “two adults who have chosen to share one another’s lives in an intimate and committed relationship.”‘ The California Domestic Partner Rights and...
View ArticleCalifornia Tort Law: Enhanced Damages for Reckless Misconduct
Most lawyers and their clients know that, under California law, a person can be compensated for the full amount of damages (medical expenses, lost earnings, compensation for pain and suffering, etc.)...
View ArticleCredit Issues in Underinsured Motorist Claims
Among the issues unresolved since the introduction of underinsured motorist coverage in California by the 1984 passage of Ins C 11580.1(p) is the computation of the award by the arbitrator in a case...
View ArticleThe “Rodman Tax Issue:” A Proposed Additional Solution
To those of a certain age, the name Dennis Rodman brings up a lot of memories: greatrebounding for the Bulls in the NBA, alongside Michael Jordan; unspeakably odd visits to NorthKorea’s dictator; and...
View ArticleBest Personal Injury Law Firms in The Bay Area
At GJEL Accident Attorneys we’ve been serving the California community for over 40 years. During that time we’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible law firms in the bay area. It’s one of...
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