Juror Appreciation Week – May 12-16
In 1998, the California Legislature designated the second full week in May each year to honor the important contributions of citizens who serve on juries, making the right to trial by jury possible. This year marks the 17th Anniversary of Juror Appreciation Week. For those of you who have served on a jury, CALA would […]
How Is Litigation Affecting Your Child’s Education?
Back in January, the Sacramento Bee ran an article detailing how students in the Twin Rivers Unified School District had to wear “snuggies” and use portable heaters because it was so cold and many of their classrooms lacked a functional heating system. They attributed the problem to aging facilities with units badly in need of repair and […]
Patients Pay the Price If Trial Lawyers Roll Back MICRA
Well, they’ve done it. The trial lawyers have turned in 840,000 signatures to qualify an initiative for the November ballot that would make it easier and more profitable for lawyers to sue doctors and hospitals. While they’ll say many things in the months between now and the election, it is important to remember that this initiative is […]
If You Like Shakedown Prop. 65 Lawsuits, You’ll Love SB 1381
Some things should not come as a surprise. When it comes to the California Legislature, one of the least surprising things is that there are certain legislators who have an appetite for pleasing the Consumer Attorneys of California. State Senator Noreen Evans has done exactly that with SB 1381, which is related to genetically engineered food. […]
When Constituents and Small Business Owners Speak, Legislators Listen
Recently, I wrote a blog post titled, “The World Is Run By People Who Show Up,” about how constituents can greatly affect the positions of their elected officials – but only when they speak up. California CALA recently held our fourth annual CALA/Civil Justice Association of California Day at the Capitol where we talked to […]
Hosting a Party Could Become Costly
Recently, the Los Angeles Times wrote on the issue of being a social host and the liability that comes with it, as the Supreme Court of California is expected to issue a ruling on a case dealing with this issue in March. The case will determine whether young people who host underage drinking parties and charge […]
The World Is Run By People Who Show Up
When it comes to elections, a friend of mine always says, “The world is run by those who show up,” and the point is obvious. I have been involved in politics and public policy for a long time and enjoy working with elected officials and businesses trying to find common ground. When discussing how lawsuit […]
What is the Deal with Hot Coffee Lawsuits?
It has been 20 years since Stella Liebeck suffered third degree burns after she accidently spilled hot coffee in her lap and sued McDonald’s. The case became a lightning rod for legal reform. Initially she was awarded more than $2.7 million dollars by a jury in New Mexico. The trial judge reduced it to $640,000 […]
The Lead Paint Lawsuit That Will Not Go Away
Back in August of 2013, I wrote about the infamous 13 year old lead paint lawsuit in which Santa Clara County, along with ten other county governments, sued five paint manufacturers. The lawsuit alleged the manufacturers knew of the dangers of lead paint as early as the late 1890s and still sold it to consumers without warning. Lead paint was banned […]
Suing a 14 year Old is a Complete Foul!
I have seen many bizarre lawsuits in my life, but the civil summons filed in Placer County recently against a 14 year old boy takes the cake. Joe Paris’s son was racing towards home plate to score the winning run during a Lakeside Little League baseball game last spring when the boy threw off his helmet in […]