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What is Premises Liability under California Law?

Premises liability is an area of law that holds property owners responsible for injuries or damages that occur on their property. California law recognizes premises liability, and property owners have a legal obligation to maintain their property in a safe condition. If a property owner fails to do so and someone is injured on their property, the property owner may be held liable for the injured party's damages. Premises liability in California is based on the legal principle of negligence. To establish a premises liability claim, the injured party must prove that the property owner was negligent in maintaining the property. Negligence occurs when the property owner fails to use reasonable care to maintain the property and someone is injured as a result. Under California law, there are three types of visitors who may be on a property: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees, who are people who enter the property with the owner...

Wrongful terminations in the workplace in California

Wrongful termination is a serious issue that can have a significant impact on the lives of employees. In California, there are certain criteria that must be met in order for a termination to be considered lawful. In this blog post, we will discuss wrongful terminations in the workplace in California and the criteria that must be met under California employment law. Under California law, employers are not allowed to terminate employees for discriminatory reasons. Discriminatory reasons include factors such as race, gender, age, and sexual orientation. If an employee is terminated for any of these reasons, it may be considered wrongful termination. In addition to discriminatory reasons, there are also certain protected activities that employees may engage in that cannot be used as a basis for termination. These protected activities include things like filing a complaint about discrimination or harassment, taking leave for a serious medical condition, or reporting illegal activity in the ...

Rounding time can actually be illegal under California law

 It's important to pay employees for all time worked. However, sometimes employers will round employee time punches to the nearest quarter hour or half hour. While this may seem like a convenient way to calculate pay, rounding time can actually be illegal under California law.  According to California law, employers are required to pay employees for all hours worked, including overtime. This means that if an employee works an extra 10 minutes, they should be paid for those 10 minutes. Rounding time punches to the nearest quarter hour or half hour can result in employees being underpaid for the time they actually worked.  Employers may argue that rounding time punches is necessary to account for minor discrepancies, such as an employee clocking in a few minutes early or late. However, California law states that rounding time is only legal if it is done in a neutral manner that does not systematically undercompensate employees. For example, if an employer always rounds time...

How to Check Your Paystubs for Unlawful Deductions in California

As an employee in California, it's important to make sure that you're being paid fairly and in compliance with state laws. Unfortunately, some employers may try to deduct from your wages unlawfully, whether intentionally or not. To protect your rights and ensure that you're being paid what you're owed, it's crucial to check your paystubs regularly for any discrepancies. What Are Unlawful Deductions? Under California law, employers are required to pay their employees all wages earned, without any deductions except those that are authorized by law or by the employee. Some examples of authorized deductions include taxes, Social Security, and Medicare. However, there are many deductions that are not authorized by law, such as: - Cash shortages - Breakage or loss of equipment - Uniforms required by the employer - Tools or equipment needed for the job - Cash advances or loans - Overpayment of wages in a previous pay period - Employer fines or penalties If your employer is...

The Importance of Having Automobile Insurance in California and the Right Coverages

Driving a car is a necessity for many people in California. Whether it’s commuting to work or running errands, having a car makes life easier. However, with the convenience of driving comes the responsibility of ensuring that you and your vehicle are properly insured. In California, it’s not just a good idea to have automobile insurance – it’s the law. California’s Auto Insurance Requirements In California, drivers are required to have liability insurance, which covers damages or injuries you may cause to others in a car accident. The minimum liability coverage required by law is: - $15,000 for injury/death to one person - $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person - $5,000 for damage to property While these minimums may seem like enough coverage, they often fall short of the actual costs associated with a car accident. For example, if you cause an accident that results in $50,000 worth of damage to another person’s car and $20,000 in medical bills, your insurance would only cove...

Legal Immigration Status Doesn't Excuse Unpaid or Mistreated Work in California

In California, employment laws protect all workers regardless of their immigration status. This means that even if you are in the United States legally, you are entitled to the same protections as any other employee. Under California law, it is illegal for employers to withhold wages or mistreat employees based on their immigration status. The first step in protecting your rights as an employee is to know your rights. California law requires employers to pay employees for all hours worked and to provide meal and rest breaks. Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against employees who assert their rights. This includes reporting wage theft or unsafe working conditions. If you believe that your employer has violated your rights, you have the right to file a complaint with the California Labor Commissioner's Office. This agency investigates complaints of wage theft and other labor law violations. You can also file a lawsuit against your employer for unpaid wages or other dama...

Understanding Low-Impact Collisions in California

Car accidents can be scary and stressful, even when they're minor. If you've been involved in a low-impact collision in California, you may be wondering what your legal obligations are and what kind of compensation you're entitled to. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at low-impact collisions and what they mean for California drivers under the law. What is a Low-Impact Collision? A low-impact collision is a minor car accident that typically occurs at low speeds, usually less than 10 mph. These types of accidents often happen in parking lots, driveways, or other areas with limited space. While they may not cause significant damage to the vehicles involved, low-impact collisions can still result in injuries to drivers or passengers. California Law and Low-Impact Collisions Under California law, drivers are required to report any accident involving property damage or injury to the police within 24 hours. This means that even if you're involved in a low-impact...