Recent Blog Posts
When Does a Dress Code Become Sex/Gender Discrimination?
California law prohibits sex and gender discrimination in the workplace. Sometimes, discrimination is clear: A company has a policy or clear practice of hiring and promoting only male or heterosexual workers. Workplace discrimination can, however, be sneakier, camouflaged by policies that look fair or neutral from the outside. Even a dress code that applies… Read More »
Addressing Sex and Gender Discrimination in the Hiring Process
California law aims to even the playing field for employees and applicants of all sexes, genders, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Unfortunately, employment discrimination remains a serious problem across the country and within the state. Discrimination can occur even before an employee is hired. Below, we discuss the contours of sex and gender discrimination… Read More »
Pain and Suffering Damages in Wrongful Death/Survival Action Cases
Wrongful death claims are claims brought by the families of deceased accident victims to seek compensation for the harm they suffered due to the death–loss of companionship, funeral expenses, etc. Wrongful death plaintiffs cannot seek damages on behalf of the deceased accident victims, such as their medical bills or loss of earnings. However, a… Read More »
Protecting Your Personal Injury Settlement From Creditors
When you obtain a personal injury settlement, that money is meant to compensate you for the harm you suffered. The settlement is meant to cover your medical bills, your lost wages, and the pain and suffering you endured as a result of your car crash, slip and fall, or other incident. If you have… Read More »
What Is a Serious Injury in California?
Thirteen states throughout the nation are deemed no-fault states when it comes to car accident insurance claims. In a no-fault state, each driver’s insurance policy pays their medical expenses after a crash. California is not one of those states. As an at-fault state, it’s the at-fault driver’s insurance company that is ultimately responsible to… Read More »
What is a reasonable accommodation for a disability?
Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination in employment against a “qualified individual with a disability.” Additionally, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) imposes a similar obligation on an even greater number of employers than the ADA does. A qualified individual with a disability is defined as a person… Read More »
If Your Employer Will Not Accommodate You, You Need to Act
High-risk pregnancies can be alarming. If you experience complications during your pregnancy, you might have serious concerns about your health or the health of your child. Regardless, you may be in a financial situation that requires you to continue working. Employers are required to provide accommodations for pregnancy, including high-risk pregnancy. What should you… Read More »
Signs You’re in a Hostile Work Environment
Sometimes, you’re in a workplace environment and it simply doesn’t feel right. In your gut, you know that you, and maybe other coworkers, are not comfortable. There’s an unpleasant pattern of behavior. Maybe it’s the way supervisors treat certain people, or maybe it’s the constant barrage of off-color jokes made by coworkers. Your feelings… Read More »
How to Prevent Workplace Discrimination in California
As an employee in California, you have the right to be free from unlawful discrimination. Your employer has a legal obligation to treat you the same as other similarly situated employees, regardless of your gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics. Employers that lack appropriate policies and procedures designed to… Read More »
When Is an Employer Liable for Sexual Harassment at Work?
California lawmakers have enacted several laws and regulations aimed at stopping sexual harassment in the workplace. Sexual harassment, unfortunately, remains a major problem in the state and across the country. One of the major factors contributing to the continued prevalence of sexual harassment is a corporate culture that permits and even fosters such harassment…. Read More »