California News

A U.S. lawsuit has been filed against Hyundai Motor Co and affiliate Kia Motors Corp, seeking $775 million in damages in one of the biggest known actions against the automakers since they admitted overstating the fuel economy of some their vehicles.

No matter which way this election goes in California and the rest of the nation, there will always be one constant: if we are truly going to tackle major issues like legal reform we are going to have to work together. While it can be difficult, it can be done and does not require leaders to abandon their core principles.

The past year has not exactly been kind to plaintiffs attorneys pursuing sudden-acceleration claims against Toyota Motor Corp. In February, the U.S. government appeared to refute their most powerful argument. In May, a federal judge threw out a major group of claims. One month later, he refused to sanction an immediate appeal of that ruling. Still, coordinated litigation against the automaker continues to chug along, with trials set for early next year.

One of the California Capitol's longest running conflicts pits personal injury attorneys against business, professional and insurance lobbies over the rules governing lawsuits -- who can sue whom and collect how much.

A disability debacle is playing out in Yuba City as officials are paying a man to stay away. And because of it, he’s cashing in. Yuba City officials say the man is attacking small business owners with frivolous lawsuits.

Governor Jerry Brown and the California State Legislature should immediately move to increase the outdated and cruel cap that severely limits compensation for injuries caused by medical malpractice, negligence or worse. At least ten thousand Californians perish every year, along with many more aggravated injuries and illnesses from reckless medical malpractice, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This toll does not include fatalities and other casualties from hospital-induced infections, reported by the CDC.

It's been a big week for the Impact Fund and two gender discrimination class actions the Berkeley nonprofit has brought against discount retail giants. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen on Monday certified what lawyers say is the first class of women alleging gender discrimination since the U.S. Supreme Court's blockbuster ruling in Wal-Mart v. Dukes.

When people think of California, they often think of the Golden State’s world-leading industries, its incredible natural beauty and its optimistic, can-do spirit. Unfortunately, the state is also well-known for another, less positive feature: its poor legal climate for businesses.