As a California worker, you have certain rights as named under the Civil Rights Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, and other federal anti-discrimination laws, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. When an employer violates those rights, you may choose to file a lawsuit for damages...
Outside of perhaps a pregnancy, you cannot anticipate experiencing health issues that require you to involve yourself in extensive recuperative therapy (either your own or that of a family member). If and when such a need arises, your immediate fear will likely be what the impact might be on your...
Sometimes, an employer may misclassify all workers as a way to save money. When you work as an independent contractor, your employer does not have to provide you with benefits nor pay employment taxes on your earnings. It can be a huge draw to employers to try to work the system by misclassifying...
Not only is using a credit card an easy way to purchase groceries, goods, and other essential items, but it also may be an effective strategy for building a strong credit score. Still, reaching for your credit card to make payments or peer-to-peer transfers through Venmo, PayPal or other apps may...
As technology advances, there are new ways to exchange money with a friend through a smartphone or computer. With a few swipes and taps, you can quickly and securely pay a friend through apps like PayPal and Venmo. It is extremely convenient and easy to do once the app is set up for payments. Rec...
Insurance companies rely on paying out as little as possible for customer claims to increase profit margins. Unfortunately, this can lead to some salty business practices and even fraud. If your insurance company denies your claim, be sure that it is for a legitimate reason. If it is not for a l...
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission requires financial investment companies to provide clients with accurate statements regarding products and services. When describing how a brokerage firm generates revenue, statements must include material information about the company's practices. If ...
Severance agreements must meet certain requirements for departing employees aged 40 and over. There are additional requirements for older employees terminated as a group. Are the severance agreements for you and your colleagues in compliance? Understanding severance for older employees To be en...
Many times, a scam can seem legitimate because it has some aspects that are quite believable. Ponzi schemes are one such scam that can easily trick people into thinking it is something real and has the potential to be lucrative. The FBI explains that the promises of riches someone makes as part ...
After an auto accident, you have the right to expect that the insurance provider will pay out your claim promptly. In fact, the law affords you this right. The California Department of Insurance explains that the Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations give you specific rights to help ensur...
In November, General Motors recalled nearly 70,000 Chevrolet Bolt vehicles after reports of the electric car's battery catching fire. Now a class-action lawsuit filed in the Northern District of Illinois blames GM for negligence and fraud, alleging that the manufacturer knowingly distributed cars...
Like many people in California, you may hear news of a class action lawsuit occurring and simply define it as a lawsuit filed on behalf of a group of people (as opposed to an individual plaintiff). While that assumption may be true in a general sense, there are specific criteria a group must meet...
In California, you buy products expecting that they are safe for consumer use. In most cases, this holds true. But in some, you might end up picking a defective product that can do you serious harm. It is important to understand the ways in which a product can have defects. This allows you to de...
If you received a phone call or letter in the mail telling you that you owe an outstanding debt, you may hurry to resolve it so that this so-called debt does not ruin your credit. Do not be too hasty. Debt collection fraud is increasingly common. According to Investopedia, debt collection fraud e...
If you are like most Americans, you have invested money at some point over the years. Unfortunately, that can make you vulnerable. According to a 2016 study, 10% of U.S. investors experience investment fraud. But what is it? In short, investment fraud involves deception: someone gives false infor...
You are probably aware that an employer cannot fire someone because of discrimination against his or her race, gender or other protected status. However, there are also wrongful termination laws that are not commonly known, such as the law concerning complaints about OSHA violations. Reasons fo...
You, like many others, may have transitioned from an in-office California job to a work-from-home one this year. Things may look and feel quite a bit different now, but when it comes to your employer's obligations with regard to overtime, rest breaks and similar matters, they remain unchanged. U...
California residents like you expect that when you buy items, they are safe for use. After all, consumer products go through rigorous testing before mass production and sale to the public. Unfortunately, mistakes do happen, though. It is possible to get a defective product. These products, when ...
A common misconception regarding California independent contractors assumes they cannot file a legal action for a work-related injury or condition. While contractors generally may not qualify for workers' compensation benefits, they may sue a company for a breach of duty. One such class-action su...
For legal and tax reasons, it is important that the company for which you work classifies you correctly as either an employee or an independent contractor. Misclassification is a problem because employers can save a lot of money but saying you are an independent contractor. The U.S. Department of...
Driving on California roads, highways and freeways is a risky endeavor. Despite your attention and care, there is a high probability of being involved in a crash. If you do sustain injuries or property damage in a car accident, it is important that you understand your rights and responsibilities ...
Class action lawsuits allow individuals to come together as a group to file a lawsuit against the same company they were similarly harmed by. For example, if you were the victim of defective products, employment discrimination, breach of contract, or false advertising, you can join other people s...
Investment fraud occurs when you participate in an investment someone else falsifies. In many cases of investment fraud, the investor targets a specific group, such as a certain ethnic or religious group, to build trust and momentum for the scheme. Since 2014, the U.S. Sentencing Commission stat...
