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…

Why Your Insurer May Have to Wait Until You Are Fully Compensated Key Takeaways: The made whole doctrine is an equitable principle holding that an insurer’s right to be reimbursed from your recovery does not arise until you have been fully compensated for your loss. Nebraska has adopted the doctrine, and the Nebraska Supreme Court…

When a Return From Medical Leave Comes With a Smaller Job Key Takeaways: Quiet firing after CFRA leave can qualify as unlawful retaliation in Redondo Beach when the facts, timing, and documentation align. California’s Family Rights Act, Government Code § 12945.2, prohibits retaliation and guarantees reinstatement to the same or a comparable position, so demotions,…