Construction Site Deaths: Building the Case

Construction is one of the most dangerous jobs in America. Every day, workers face risks from heights, heavy machinery, and fast-moving projects. When safety rules are ignored or corners are cut, those risks can turn deadly. We’ve seen how preventable hazards on construction sites lead to devastating, life-changing losses for families. In wrongful death cases, […]

Strategic Use of 998 offers: Shift Costs to Unreasonable Defendants

Many insurance companies delay payment of claims. Even when their insureds are clearly at fault and cause serious injuries, or even death, they drag their feet, delaying and denying legitimate claims. The reason for this is apparent: why pay now when you can pay later? This is unfair and incredibly frustrating for people and families […]

The Roadmap to Early Investigations in Elder Abuse Cases

California’s population is aging rapidly, creating an urgent need to prioritize the prosecution of elder abuse cases. But elder abuse litigation is not for the faint of heart—the facts are often harrowing, and the legal journey is demanding for both clients and counsel. To better advocate for this vulnerable population, it’s critical to make informed […]

$1.082 Million for Pedestrian Hit While Jogging

A negligent left-turning driver was held accountable after striking a pedestrian jogging in a crosswalk. The settlement included the insurance policy limits and proceeds from the sale of the defendant’s house.

$12.2 Million for Worker Injured from Fall

Landowner held accountable for failing to deenergize power lines to provide for safe working conditions for lineman. Result was a fall from the pole that resulted in partial quadrapalegia to client.

Anatomy Of A Scaffolding Case

The U.S. Labor Department estimates that 65 percent of the construction industry works on scaffolding. And every year people die or sustain serious injuries when they fall from scaffolding

California Law Expands the Definition of Childhood Sexual Assault

In California, preexisting childhood sexual abuse law provided a limited timeframe, otherwise known as statute of limitations, to file a civil lawsuit against individuals or entities, limiting a survivor’s ability to file a lawsuit. The California Legislature recently provided a recourse for childhood sexual assault survivors by enacting The California Child Victims Act.

AB 35 Legislation Modernizes Awarding Damages in Medical Malpractice Cases in California

Governor Gavin Newsom today signed AB 35, legislation to modernize the system for awarding damages in medical malpractice cases in California. “Injured patients deserve to be fairly compensated when their rights have been violated, and we commend the leadership of Governor Newsom to help get this done. Injured patients and their families are better off under the modified MICRA, and we look forward to continuing to serve in the best interest of our clients,” said Consumer Attorneys of California President Craig M. Peters.

Safety Agency Issues $1.75 Million in Fines Over Worker’s Death at Valero Refinery | KQED

“It appears that this was a classic case of poor communications and poor attention to details,” said Craig Peters, an attorney specializing in workplace accidents at San Francisco’s Altair Law, who reviewed the state investigation’s summary. “The circumstances indicate a serious inattention to basic safety protocols when dealing with dangerous confined spaces and gases that can be deadly,” he said.

Craig Peters Comments on Historic MICRA Deal

Craig Peters commented on California’s long-overdue medical malpractice legislation rework: “CAOC has fought tirelessly alongside thousands of injured patients for the last fifty years to make sure they are fairly compensated when their rights have been violated […] We look forward to working with Governor Newsom and legislative leaders in the coming weeks to expedite the passage of this landmark reform.”

California’s Malpractice Payouts Would Rise Under a Deal to Avoid A Costly Ballot Fight

Craig Peters commented on the overhaul to the longstanding Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act of 1975 (MICRA): “After decades of treating patients unfairly, California is finally opening the door of justice for those suffering from medical negligence […] We are thrilled patients are going to get a fair shake at compensation for their injuries.”

Consumer Attorneys of California Successfully Fight for MICRA Revision

Today is a day for the history books: After nearly 50 years of relentlessly fighting for justice on behalf of victims of medical malpractice in California, Consumer Attorneys of California has reached an historic agreement to deliver on this vision. Following recent talks led by CAOC President Craig M. Peters, initiative proponent Nicholas Rowley, and the leader of the California Medical Association, the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) of 1975 will finally be revised.

Altair Law Honors Worker’s Memorial Day

On April 28, 1970, the United States Congress enacted the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (“OSHA”) to guarantee every worker the right to a safe and healthful workplace. Since then, April 28 has been commemorated in the US as Workers’ Memorial Day.

Food From the Bar External

Altair Law is proud to participate in this year’s Food From The Bar fundraising campaign. Last year, the legal community helped raise the funds to provide over 1.2 million meals in San Francisco and Marin counties where 1 in 5 individuals faces hunger. With every dollar raised, the Food Bank is able to distribute food for two healthy meals. Please help us support the work of the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. Please join us and donate here.

Uber Can’t Duck Negligence Suit Over Garbageman’s Injuries

Joshua White of Altair Law LLP, representing the Masons, told Law360 on Tuesday they’re thrilled with the decision. “We think they got it 100% right,” he said. “The Masons were devastated when the trial court granted defendants’ motion for summary judgment, and now, because of this, we get to go forward and hopefully obtain some measure of accountability and justice for the Masons.”

Covid-19 Negligent Exposure Cases: Not a Plaintiff’s Paradise

by J. Kevin Morrison and Noah A. Phillips

The extent of the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, to both life and health, continues to be carefully calculated and assessed by governments and public health agencies since the outbreak of the virus. As expected, the legal establishment has also kept a close watch over the effects of the pandemic on the legal system, paying particular attention to the rate of increase in pandemic-related tort litigation and to the types of lawsuits most likely to account for that increase.

Kevin Morrison Moderated “Current Trialing” Panel on February 8

What: Current Trialing: What’s Happening in the Wild World of Trials in the Pandemic Era. The panel discussed Zoom mock trials, courtroom protocols, voir dire, differences in jurisdictions, and what has worked so far (and what hasn’t).

When: Tue, February 8, 2022 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PT

Initiative to Cap Contingency Fees Dropped

A business group appears to have abandoned an effort to place a measure before voters in 2022 that would cap attorney contingency fees at 20%, plaintiffs lawyer groups said Friday.

2022 President’s Message, Who We Are

As the largest organization of California plaintiff attorneys, CAOC finds itself, once again, in perilous times. We find ourselves faced with impending ballot initiatives from corporate America that will try to prevent our clients from getting the justice they deserve. Simultaneously, the State Bar is working with powerful forces to undermine consumer protections by trying to institute a “sandbox” approach to our legal system. In any single year, either of these challenges would be a massive battle. In 2022, we will face them both.

Woman Claims Being Held Against Her Will and Sexual Assault by Uber Driver

Jane Doe, through her counsel Altair Law LLP, filed a complaint on April 29 in the Superior Court of California County of San Francisco against Uber Technologies, Inc, Rasier LLC, Rasier-CA, LLC, Gebrele Abebe Amare, and Does 1-50 for negligent hiring, supervision and retention; negligence; intentional misrepresentation; fraud; concealment; false promise; negligent misrepresentation; battery; sexual battery; assault; intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligent infliction of emotional distress; and gender violations.

Hazardous Trees

Poor tree management results in death and disability every year. Two of the top ten personal-injury settlements in 2018 were on behalf of people catastrophically injured by hazardous trees.

Altair Makes Another Headline

The November 19th edition of the Daily Journal, the most significant legal news outlet in the state, included a profile feature of Altair Law.

Altair Verdict Featured in Daily Journal

Andje Medina’s recent trial verdict was published in the Daily Journal’s Verdicts and Settlements on Friday, September 15, 2018. The verdict highlights the firm’s willingness to try cases against low settlement offers and hold defendants accountable for their negligent actions.

Craig Peters on Faculty of ABOTA Trial College

This ABOTA tradition has been presented at Harvard, Dartmouth, and now Yale, bringing together the best in the legal profession to teach other attorneys how to hone and develop their trial skills. Altair partner, Craig Peters, was an one of the invited faculty members for this immersive experience. The week concludes with the students putting on a trail in front of a judge using local jurors who then deliberate on the case. Here, Craig Peters, as with other faculty members, has assumed the role of one of the witnesses for the trial

All Altair attorneys named on Super Lawyers’ lists

All of our attorneys were named to the Super Lawyers’ lists this year. Craig Peters, Josh White, and Kevin Morrison were named to the Super Lawyers list, while Andje Medina and Jeremy Cloyd were included on the Rising Stars list.

Profile: Andje Media

“You have to have faith and follow your heart” — and become fully invested in your clients.

Couple alleges man was injured when he was struck by Uber driver

Ignacio Gutirrez Sanchez and Maria Chavez Alvarez, represented by Andje M. Medina, filed a complaint on May 17 in the Superior Court of California – County of San Francisco against Uber Technologies Inc., Rasier LLC, Raiser-CA LLC and Alemtsehay Hailu Gudeta alleging negligence.

Families Sue UPS Over Fatal Shooting Rampage

Lax security at a United Parcel Service sorting facility in San Francisco enabled a shooting that left three men dead and two wounded; others were injured fleeing the violence and dozens must deal with the psychological aftermath, according to nine lawsuits filed Tuesday against UPS.

Suits filed in deadly UPS rampage in SF

The families of two men killed during a workplace shooting rampage at a UPS facility in San Francisco filed wrongful-death lawsuits today against the company and a private security firm.

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