Legal Insights: A California Law Blog...

By Law Offices | Felicia Yates & Associates   The new calendar year always brings a crop of fresh laws to the State of California – and the year 2022 is no exception.   The California Governor signed 770 legislative bills into law during 2021.   Not all of the laws take effect immediately - some have a “cooling off” period - but most of them will be implemented as of January 1, 2022.   Here are some key highlights from twenty-one (21) of those legislative bills signed into law: 1)  Slower Speed Limits – As of January 1, 2022, California cities will now have more localized control over how speed limits are set.   The old rule caused speed limits to increase every few years.   The new rule will allow cities to lower speed limits in 2022 – these lower limits cannot be enforced until June 30, 2024 (or as soon as California creates an online portal to process these new traffic offenses).     2)  Seizing Ghost Guns – This law will not...

By Law Offices | Felicia Yates & Associates   This is Part Seven in a series of blog articles on California Personal Injury (PI) law. The month of May has been officially designated by our nation as Older Americans Month (OAM).  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living, is responsible for spearheading our country's annual observance of OAM - #OlderAmericansMonth.  An older or elder American is typically defined as anyone 65 years of age and older.  The American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law on March 11, 2021 by U.S. President Joe Biden, enhances the Elder Justice Act, and guarantees that Adult Protective Services can be utilized to protect the safety of all adults throughout the aging process. In California, elder (or dependent adult) abuse can be punished as both a Criminal wrongdoing, and a Civil (Tort) wrongdoing.   Penal Code Section 368 generally defines the criminal offense of elder or dependent ad...

By Law Offices | Felicia Yates & Associates This is Part Six in a series of blog articles on California Personal Injury (PI) law. Premises liability - which falls under the category of personal injury (PI) law - covers liability that property owners (residential & commercial) may incur for injuries and damages sustained while on the premises of a piece of property under the ownership and control of an individual or entity.   For example , slip & fall injuries, dog bites, construction accidents, amusement park mishaps, and swimming pool dangers, all fall under the category of premises liability. California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI) No. 1000 outlines the essential elements that a plaintiff would need to prove in order to hold a defendant responsible under the doctrine of premises liability.  These basic elements are as follows:   (a) The defendant owned, leased, occupied or controlled the subject property; (b) The defendant was negligent in the use or m...