Los Angeles Legal Issues Blog

Car accidents: Suspected DUI driver sends 10 to the hospital

On behalf of Law Offices of Anthony Choe posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, August 15, 2018.

When the negligence of one driver puts the lives of many others on the line, it could have devastating consequences. In many such car accidents, the at-fault driver is suspected of driving while impaired by alcohol. According to a media relations officer of the Los Angeles Police Department, this was the case when a multi-vehicle crash occurred in South Los Angeles on a recent Thursday afternoon.

Reportedly, LAPD received a report around 3:30 p.m. about a crash that involved three vehicles, one of which was a van carrying several children. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department says 12 people suffered injuries, 10 of which was transported to the hospital. Two victims suffered critical injuries, and the conditions of the other eight were reported to be serious. Six of the injured people were children.

Taco Bell workers claim employee rights violations

On behalf of Law Offices of Anthony Choe posted in Employee Rights on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.

When it comes to meal breaks, some employees in California might not agree with their employers' rules about payment. A recent complaint about employee rights involved Taco bell workers who claimed they could not leave the premises during their lunch breaks. They sought overtime compensation for those hours.

However, Taco Bell explained that workers were free to leave the premises, with one exception. Those who benefited from buying meals at reduced staff prices had to consume the food on the premises before going out. The employers said this rule was put in place to prevent staff members buying meals for friends and family at reduced prices, but they were free to finish their meals and then spend any remaining break time away from the premises.

Workplace accidents: Tractor accident kills farm worker

On behalf of Law Offices of Anthony Choe posted in Workplace Accidents on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.

The agricultural industry poses many hazards to workers on farms nationwide. Although the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health prescribes strict safety regulations, workplace accidents happen and lives are lost. The safety agency is investigating such an incident in which a farm employee in Monterey County was killed.

According to the sheriff's office, the unfortunate incident occurred on a recent Monday morning. Medical response teams, Cal Fire and the California Highway Patrol responded to an emergency call that came in from a mushroom farm. A spokesperson reported that it appears a worker who was in his sixties was struck by a tractor that was operated by another employee thought to be about 52-years-old.

Clock-in rules may violate employee rights of teen workers

On behalf of Law Offices of Anthony Choe posted in Employee Rights on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.

Many teenagers in California are excited to take on summer jobs to earn extra money and be less dependent on their parents. Typical jobs are food servers, lifeguards and day care workers, among others, and teens are typically paid per hour. Although students are protected by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state wage and hour laws, they might not be aware of all their employee rights.

Unfortunately, although teen workers typically earn minimum wages, some employers take advantage of this by violating clock-in rules. An example of such abuse is a resort owner who hires additional lifeguards in anticipation of predicted hot weather bringing more people to the swimming pool. However, expectations are not met, and the employer orders the extra lifeguards not to clock in until more people arrive.

Workplace accidents: Paving company employee dies on-the-job

On behalf of Law Offices of Anthony Choe posted in Workplace Accidents on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.

A police sergeant in Palo Alto was flagged down by a construction worker on a recent Thursday shortly before 9 a.m. The construction worker alerted the officer to an emergency at a work site in a nearby parking lot of a church. As with other fatal workplace accidents, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has launched an investigation into this incident.

Safety authorities report that the police officer rushed to the scene and assessed the situation. He then called two more officers who were in the vicinity. However, help came too late, and the construction worker succumbed to injuries of unknown nature. Cal/OSHA inspectors will determine the cause of the fatality and whether safety violations played a role.

Mileage reimbursement laws in California

On behalf of Law Offices of Anthony Choe on Monday, July 16, 2018.

Numerous businesses require employees to drive at some point or another. For some employees, this will only occur sparingly, but for others, it is a regular part of the job. They deserve reimbursement.

The federal government has set guidelines for how much employers should pay for each mile driven. However, the federal government does not enforce this law. Luckily, California has laws on the books stating business owners absolutely must pay workers for any miles driven. At the beginning of 2018, the amount employers needed to pay increased from 53.5 cents per mile to 54.5 cents per mile.

Car accidents: Melyssa Ford's miraculous escape from death

On behalf of Law Offices of Anthony Choe posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, July 11, 2018.

A well-known celebrity recently survived a horrific crash in California. Few motorists escape death in car accidents that involve collisions with 18-wheelers, due to the difference in size and weight of the two vehicles. Melyssa Ford suffered serious injuries in such a crash, which were described as horrific in a media report.

Reportedly, the TV personality was traveling on the Ventura Freeway at approximately 12:30 p.m. on a Thursday late last month. She was on her way to a bridal shower when a big rig veered into her traffic lane. The truck struck the tire on her back right wheel, causing her vehicle to roll over.

Those with invisible disabilities also have employee rights

On behalf of Law Offices of Anthony Choe posted in Employee Rights on Monday, July 2, 2018.

The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act protect workers with disabilities in California and other states. However, to benefit from the protection of these laws, a worker must disclose his or her disability. In many cases, disabilities are invisible to others, and workers may fear discrimination or other violations of their employee rights after disclosure.

Invisible disabilities could include dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or a mild traumatic brain injury, all of which might not be immediately evident. Those who have autoimmune diseases such as heart problems, multiple sclerosis, lupus or fibromyalgia might also hesitate to disclose their disabilities. However, with limited accommodations by employers, these workers can be as efficient as any others without disabilities.

Workers' compensation covers all heat-related illnesses

On behalf of Law Offices of Anthony Choe posted in Workers' Compensation on Monday, June 25, 2018.

For weeks now, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has been reminding business owners of their responsibilities to protect employees from heat-related illnesses. These reminders typically focus on employers in construction, landscaping and agriculture from where many workers' compensation claims originate. However, the hospitality industry with facilities that have outdoor entertainment areas must not be forgotten. These could include children's play areas, patio dining establishments and sidewalk shopping venues.

While it is essential to keep customers safe, any staff who is scheduled to do duty in outdoor areas must also be protected. Employers must provide safety training to teach employees about the hazards of heat exposure and how to recognize symptoms in each other that might indicate the onset of heat exhaustion. Early identification of problems can be treated by simply getting into a cool area and taking in fluids, but if left untreated, it can lead to heat stroke, which could cause death.

Many hotel housekeepers receive bad treatment

On behalf of Law Offices of Anthony Choe on Tuesday, June 19, 2018.

Housekeepers, sometimes also called maids, are essential to the smooth functioning of hotels. Just one great or unpleasant experience with housekeeping can make or break a guest's experience.

Unfortunately, many employers do not give housekeepers the respect they deserve. These workers may be victims of unfair or even illegal treatment.

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