When the Other Driver Says a Crash "Just Happened" to Them Key Takeaways: Nebraska drivers often blame a deer, phantom vehicle, or mechanical failure for a crash, but the state’s sudden emergency doctrine is narrow. Under Caves v. Barnes, a driver must prove a real emergency existed, that they did not cause it, and that…

How Wisconsin Direct Action Statute 632.24 Could Shape A Fort Winnebago Crash Claim Key Takeaways: A fatal collision reported near Fort Winnebago in Columbia County has renewed attention on how Wisconsin law treats wrongful death, fault, and insurance. Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence rule that can reduce or bar recovery based on a claimant’s…

What Wisconsin Law Says When a Therapist Crosses the Line Key Takeaways: Wisconsin Stat. § 895.441(2) removes consent from civil claims for therapist sexual exploitation when sexual contact occurred during treatment or within six months after treatment ended. The Legislature recognized the inherent power imbalance in therapy relationships, so arguments that a survivor initiated or…

Why Your Health Insurance Payments Should Not Lower What the At-Fault Driver Owes Key Takeaways: In Nebraska, the collateral source rule means benefits from sources independent of the at-fault driver, such as private health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, generally do not reduce damages that driver owes, as stated in Burns v. Nielsen and Fickle v.…

Understanding California’s Expanded Family Leave Definition for South Bay Employees Key Takeaways: Under the California Family Rights Act, a designated person is any individual related by blood or whose association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship, including close friends, unmarried partners, former stepparents, and chosen family. Since January 1, 2023, eligible…

When Your Own Insurer Asks for a Piece of Your Crash Settlement Key Takeaways: Nebraska’s Neb. Rev. Stat. § 44-3,128.01 makes med pay subrogation clauses in auto policies valid and enforceable, but caps what your insurer can take. When you recover less than actual economic loss from all liable parties, the insurer’s recovery is limited…

Understanding Your Right to Job-Protected Family and Medical Leave in the South Bay Key Takeaways: CFRA eligibility at a Redondo Beach employer requires two tests: a covered employer with 5 or more employees, and an employee with at least 12 months of service plus 1,250 hours worked in the prior 12-month period. California’s 2021 expansion…

Understanding Your Right to Four Months of Pregnancy-Related Leave in the South Bay Key Takeaways: California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act allows eligible employees up to four months of Pregnancy Disability Leave per pregnancy, applying to employers with five or more employees with no minimum service requirement. PDL covers pregnancy-related disability, prenatal care, severe morning…

Understanding Your Right to Job-Protected Pregnancy Leave in California Key Takeaways: California’s Pregnancy Disability Leave law provides up to four months of unpaid, job-protected leave per pregnancy based on actual disability periods. Four months equals approximately 17 1/3 workweeks for full-time employees. Most employees with uncomplicated pregnancies use 10-12 weeks, while complications can extend leave…

Why Your Insurer May Not Take the First Bite of Your Settlement Key Takeaways: Wisconsin’s made whole doctrine prevents health insurers from collecting subrogation claims until the injured person has been fully compensated. When settlement funds are limited and damages exceed available insurance, courts direct that the injured party recovers first. Even seven-figure recoveries may…