News from December 2024
Couple Accuses Grocery Chain Whole Foods Market of Negligence After Slip-and-Fall Incident
Alene and Gerald Santini have filed a lawsuit against Whole Foods Market following an alleged slip-and-fall incident at one of its stores in San Francisco.
Former Employee Alleges Unpaid Wages and Retaliation Against Industrial Control Systems Integrator
Dominic Lombardo has filed a lawsuit against Performance Automation Company alleging unpaid wages and retaliation after raising concerns about business expense reimbursements.
Insurance Company Sues Renovation Contractor Over Fire Damage
CSAA Insurance Exchange has taken legal action against America's Vinyl Exteriors Inc., operating as America's Dream Homeworks, following a destructive fire allegedly caused by negligent renovation practices at an insured property in Rancho Cordova.
Former Employee Alleges Healthcare Provider Violated Labor Laws
Anthony Sandoval has filed a class action lawsuit against his former employer Briotix Health for alleged labor law violations including failure to pay minimum wages and provide required breaks.
With New Tobacco Enforcement Law Set to Go into Effect January 1st, Attorney General Bonta Releases Guidance to Businesses
California Attorney General Rob Bonta released guidance to help businesses across the state comply with the new law regarding implementation of the flavored tobacco ban. Effective January 1, 2025, Assembly Bill (AB) 3218, builds on the implementation of the flavored tobacco ban (SB 793, 2019) by enacting new enforcement efforts from the Attorney General’s office and the establishment of a list of all tobacco products that are permissibly unflavored and allowed to be sold in California.
Loya Casualty Insurance Company Accuses Driver Jocelyn Brose of Negligence Leading to Financial Loss
Loya Casualty Insurance Company has filed a lawsuit against Jocelyn Brose alleging negligent driving resulted in an accident causing $5,901.89 in damages covered by their policyholder's insurance claim.
'Ladies night' promotion lawsuit drives Concord Peruvian restaurant out of business
The lawsuit was filed in 2023 against the Lima restaurant under California state anti-discrimination laws. Plaintiffs said the restaurant's "Ladies' Night" promotion unfairly offered discount drinks to women customers, but not to men or transgender patrons. The restaurant said the strain from the added legal bills proved too great to overcome
Sheppard Mullin Attorneys Named “Life Science Stars” in LMG Life Sciences 2024
The 2024 edition of LMG Life Sciences named five Sheppard Mullin partners “Life Science Stars” across its FDA, Corporate and Intellectual Property categories.
Attorney General Bonta: City of Goleta Unlawfully Rejected Affordable Housing Application
California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed an amicus brief in the Santa Barbara County Superior Court in support of a proposed affordable housing project in Goleta. Located in Santa Barbara County, Goleta is experiencing an acute housing shortage, and approximately 75% of lower-income renter households and 64% of lower-income owner households in Goleta are spending more than 30% of their income on housing.
Judge nixes $5.1M deal to end visual impairment website discrimination class action vs Fashion Nova
A San Francisco federal judge said he could not approve the deal to end the action vs women's clothing seller Fashion Nova because the retailer might get too much of its money back at the end of the deal. Attorneys would have gotten $1.24 million under the deal
Plaintiff accuses former business associate of fraud and seeks indemnity
A lawsuit filed by Ha Vinh Ly accuses former business partner Lap Thanh Tang of fraud related to investments made into TWN Investment Group LLC back in 2008.
Jones Day names 37 new partners
The global law firm Jones Day announces that the 37 lawyers listed below will be admitted to the Firm’s partnership effective January 1, 2025.
California Resident Alleges Ford Motor Company Breached Warranties on Defective Vehicle
James Kirk Zimmer has taken legal action against Ford Motor Company for allegedly failing to honor warranties on his defective vehicle purchase while engaging in unfair business practices under California law.
Gig Economy Platform Accused of Misclassifying Workers in Legal Showdown
San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu has filed a lawsuit against Delaware-based company GigSmart Inc., accusing it of misclassifying its shift workers as independent contractors rather than employees in violation of Californian labor laws.
Widow Alleges Former Acquaintance Defrauded Her Out Of Life Savings
A widow has filed a lawsuit against a former acquaintance alleging fraud and elder financial abuse after lending him $140k based on false promises of repayment that never occurred; she's seeking damages plus punitive measures
Plaintiffs Accuse Healthcare Corporation of Wage Violations
Five former employees have filed a class-action lawsuit against Lorian Health alleging widespread labor law violations including unpaid wages and denial of meal breaks.
Ex-law firm CFO, ex-president of LGBTQ chamber of commerce pleads guilty to embezzling $1.3M
Tony Archuleta-Perkins who served as chief financial officer at The Veen Firm and served as president of the Golden Gate Business Association pleaded guilty to bank fraud and money laundering, according to federal prosecutors, who said he admitted to stealing at least $1.3 million from law firms for which he worked from 2018-2023
Plaintiff Alleges Therapist Breached Professional Duties Causing Emotional Distress
Chikodi Chima has filed a lawsuit against therapist John David Perkins in San Francisco Superior Court alleging multiple breaches including professional negligence and emotional distress.
ATRA ranks California Courts among top 5 Judicial Hellholes in 2024
The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) has ranked California as the fifth Judicial Hellhole, citing its civil justice system for fostering novel liability theories and excessive litigation.
California Utility Giant Accused by Minors' Guardians of Negligence Leading to Dixie Fire Devastation
A group representing minors has launched a lawsuit against PG&E Corporation for its alleged role in causing the massive Dixie Fire through negligent maintenance practices.