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Are you filing a lawsuit? Defending a lawsuit? If so, you are naturally—and, inevitably—thinking about the excessive expenses. Being involved in litigation is a burden on your pocket—not to mention a burden on your mind. You can minimize your mental burden concerning expenses by learning that there are in fact ways on recovering attorney fees.
The general “American Rule” places each party responsible for its own legal costs, including attorney fees. In other words, based on this rule even the prevailing party must pay his or her own attorney fees arising out of litigation. Surely, California follows this rule, regardless of what the cause of action may be and regardless of whether you win or lose the case. However, there are exceptions to this rule. The prevailing party may be awarded in two situations: (1) based on a written contract provision, (2) based on an applicable statute. These exceptions may hold the losing party responsible for paying the prevailing party’s attorney fees.
Signing a contract? Look out! There may be a clause in the contract you are about to sign, which provides the prevailing party in litigation to be awarded with most, if not all, of its reasonable fees. Generally, a contract that includes such provision is enforceable. A contract that entitles recovery of said expenses addresses the rights of the prevailing party to collect not only attorney fees, but also its reasonable costs incurred before and during litigation. Such costs include, but are not limited to, court filing fees, expert witness fees, preparation for deposition, pre-trial interviews, serving complaints, paying court reporters, photocopying, and travel expenses. On the other hand, reasonable attorney fees are the compensation for the legal services an attorney performs. While attorney fees and the legal costs are different, contract provisions may entitle the prevailing party to recover for both expenses.
Additionally, if an applicable statute authorizes, the prevailing party in litigation can seek to recover attorney fees. Some California statutes are discretionary; such that the court “may” award attorney fees to the prevailing party, whereas other statutes provide mandatory language and “shall” award the prevailing party with its attorney fees. Some statues that allow the prevailing party to recover is when the losing party files a lawsuit based on no grounds, such that there was no reason to bring forth the lawsuit; instead, it was a waste of court’s time and resources. Other statues allow recovery of fees from a case that substantially benefits or influences the public. Give us a call, we speak English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Hebrew, Farsi, and Arabic. KAASS LAW is authorized to practice law in California. The above content is intended for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS LAW expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS LAW does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS LAW in person at the KAASS LAW office. KAASS LAW helps clients in: Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood. Pacoima, Montebello, Commerce, Alhambra, Downey, Bell, Maywood, Walnut Park, Vernon, Lynwood, Echo Park, Silverlake, Mission Hills, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Reseda.
Location: 701 North Brand Blvd. Suite 100 Glendale, CA 91203 Telephone: (310) 943-1171 Email: [email protected]
E-2 investor immigration visa allows entry to the United States (from another country that the United States maintains a treat y with) in order to work based on a substantial amount of investment and control he or she will hold while in the United States.
The investment must be active. An active investment refers to its operation and services. In other words, the investment must allow the investor to undertake procedures in an effort to produce goods for profit. The investor must engage in the business enterprise; passive activities within the business enterprise will not qualify. For example, purchasing a property may not be sufficient. Instead, the investor must hire employees in order to manage, develop, improve, and maintain that property. Throughout this process, the investor must remain active by controlling and directing the investment in order to begin or continue providing services.
California law allows consumers to bring bad faith tort action against their insurers for breaching the duty of good faith when refusing without proper cause to compensate its insured for a loss cover by the policy. Generally, every insurance policy has an implied obligation of good faith and fair dealing that neither the insurance company nor the insured will do anything to injure the right of the other party to receive the benefits of the agreement.
Insurance bad faith means to breach the implied obligation of good faith and fair dealing, an insurance company must, unreasonably or without proper cause, act or fail to act in a manner that deprives the insured of the benefits of the policy. It is not a mere failure to exercise reasonable care. However, it is not necessary for the insurer to intend to deprive the insured of the benefits of the policy.
Generally, the term bad faith for insurance purposes means an insurance company:
When a motorcyclist is injured due to another driver's negligence, the rider is entitled to seek compensation for not only their property damage and injuries, but are also entitled to seek loss of income, past and future medical expenses, pain, suffering, and other related expenses from the other drivers insurance company.
When a motorcyclist or motorcyclists passenger is killed in an motorcycle accident that was result of another parties fault or negligence the surviving heirs or relatives of the deceased party is entitled to pursue compensation for wrongful death. A civil lawsuit may be brought against the person that caused the death to recover monies.
There are a few things that should be noted that California law allows for two different types of lawsuits a and a suit brought based on a . Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, a cause of of a person caused by the or may be asserted by any of the following persons or by the decedent’s personal representative on their behalf:
Asylum in the United States usually wonder how long they will have to wait for their asylum interview. Potential asylum applicants should know that they might have to wait for years until they get a chance to appear before an asylum officer.
Pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act, in the absence of exceptional circumstances, the initial interview or hearing on the asylum application must commence not later than 45 days after the date an application is filed. INA § 208(d)(5)(A)(ii). In the absence of exceptional circumstances, final administrative adjudication of the asylum application, not including administrative appeal, must be completed within 180 days after the date an application is filed. Id. § 208(d)(5)(A)(iii). According to INA, USCIS shall schedule the asylum interview within 45 days after filing the application which should be adjudicated within 180 days from the filing date, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
During the last years exceptional circumstances apply, and the actual waiting times are far from being close to the statutory deadlines. Asylum applicants have to wait for years until they get a chance to appear in front of an asylum officer. Depending on the asylum office that has jurisdiction over the application, applicants may wait from two to five years. For example, in December 2016, the Los Angeles asylum office was interviewing the applicants who filed their applications in August 2011. The waiting time is much shorter in Northern California where have to wait two year. The asylum application processing times for all asylum offices may be found on the USCIS website.
With the constant monopolization of large corporations taking over cities, it is important to know the regulations behind unfair competition, to protect yourself against corporate scrutiny.
Classifications of unfair competition include some of the following examples
Under Penal Code 17(b) PC, felony reductions to misdemeanors are available if defendants
In California, you must satisfy both elements to reduce your felony conviction to a misdemeanor. Serving time in state prison after a conviction for a "wobbler" offense makes you ineligible for relief under Penal Code 17(b).
(a)A felony is a crime which is punishable with death or by imprisonment in the state prison. Every other crime or public offense is a misdemeanor except those offenses that are classified as infractions. (b)When a crime is punishable, in the discretion of the court, by imprisonment in the state prison or by fine or imprisonment in the county jail, it is a misdemeanor for all purposes under the following circumstances: (1)After a judgment imposing a punishment other than imprisonment in the state prison. (2)When the court, upon committing the defendant to the Youth Authority, designates the offense to be a misdemeanor. (3)When the court grants probation to a defendant without imposition of sentence and at the time of granting probation, or on application of the defendant or probation officer thereafter, the court declares the offense to be a misdemeanor. (4)The prosecuting attorney files a complaint in a misdemeanor court, stating the offense is a misdemeanor. If the defendant objects during arraignment or plea, the attorney amends the complaint to charge the felony, and the case proceeds on the felony charge. (5) If the magistrate decides the offense is a misdemeanor before the preliminary examination or before filing an order under Section 872, the court will treat the case as a misdemeanor complaint. (c) When the court commits a defendant to the Youth Authority for a crime punishable by imprisonment in the state prison or by fine or imprisonment in the county jail, the court deems the offense a misdemeanor for all purposes upon the defendant's discharge from the Youth Authority. (d)A violation of any code section listed in Section 19.8 is an infraction subject to the procedures described in Sections 19.6 and 19.7 when: (1)The prosecutor files a complaint charging the offense as an infraction unless the defendant, at the time he or she is arraigned, after being informed of his or her rights, elects to have the case proceed as a misdemeanor, or; (2)The defendant consents, and the court determines that the offense is an infraction. The case then proceeds as if the defendant had been arraigned on an infraction complaint. (e)This section does not permit a judge to relieve a defendant of the duty to register as a sex offender under Section 290 if the charge requires registration and the trier of fact finds the defendant guilty.
An alien applying for asylum can also apply for withholding of removal at the same time. Withholding of removal is an alternative to the asylum for a foreigner who fears to return to his home country. However, it should be noted that the grant of the withholding of removal does not result in the same benefits arising from the grant of asylum.
Withholding of removal is a remedy available to an alien who cannot go back to his home country because of a threat to his life or freedom. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, an alien cannot be removed to a country if the alien’s life or freedom would be threatened in that country because of the alien’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. INA § 214(b)(3)(A).
An alien is eligible for withholding of removal if he is able to establish that his life or freedom would be threatened because of one of the statutory grounds if he is removed to his home country. The alien will meet his burden of proof if he is able to show that it is more likely than not that his life or freedom would be threatened if he is removed to his home country. The “more likely than not” standard for withholding of removal is more difficult to meet than the standard for showing fear of persecution for asylum applicants.
Often times, bedsores are caused by nursing home negligence which causes injuries to the skin caused by prolonged pressure.
Bedsores, also known as pressure sores, are injuries to the skin caused by prolonged pressure. Bedsores are more prone to occur in locations on the body that have direct contact to the bone (i.e: the head, back, ankles, and hips). Bedsores have four different stages, increasing in severity throughout each stage and eventually resulting in damage of the bones itself. If not treated, bedsores can cause sepsis, bone/joint infection, and, ultimately, death. Patients are at risk of developing pressure sores if they have trouble moving and are unable to change position while seated or in bed. Immobility may be due to:
Protecting your brand through California trademark registration is vital in today’s competitive market. This process establishes your brand identity and prevents others from using similar marks. In this guide, we will explore key aspects of the registration process under Business and Professions Code (BP) 14205 and BP 1407.
Business and Professions Code 14205 outlines criteria that can lead to the rejection of a trademark application. Knowing these criteria is essential for a successful application:
The investment must be substantial. While there is no set minimum amount to consider the investment “substantial,” it must nonetheless be substantial in its connection to the total expenses of purchasing an existing or already established business enterprise. Also, a substantial amount of capital must be sufficient to secure the successful operation of the business enterprise.
One of two tests must meet in order to consider a “substantial” investment:
Investment must not be marginal. That is to say, the investment must have the potential or power to produce enough income in order to support a decent living for the treaty investor and his family. Additionally, in most instances, such investment should provide individuals living in the U.S. with job opportunities. While creating employment opportunities for U.S. workers is not a requirement, it can be in use to show that the investment is not marginal. When an investment is not considered to be marginal, it will require individuals beyond the investor to operate the business or enterprise. Further, it will generate enough income to fulfill the investors living expenses, along with payment of its U.S. workers.
Therefore, the issue is whether there is a projected and reliable return on the investment in order to meet the requirements of an E-2 treaty investor visa.
An essential role in an enterprise can be held by both the principal investor and certain employees of the investing enterprise. Both can obtain a treaty-investor status.
An individual, applying to enter the U.S. as a treaty investor, is considered a principal investor when he has a majority—at least 50%—ownership in the business, along with the responsibly of controlling and developing that enterprise. This generally occurs when the investor owns a majority and controlling interest in the business.
Another way an individual can enter the U.S. is as an employee of a company. In order to qualify for an E-2 nonimmigrant visa as an employee of a treaty investor, the following must be satisfactory:
Give us a call, our attorneys speak English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Hebrew, Farsi, and Arabic.
KAASS LAW has the authority to practice law in California. The above content is for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS LAW expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS LAW does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS LAW in person at the KAASS LAW office.
KAASS LAW helps clients in: Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood. Pacoima, Montebello, Commerce, Alhambra, Downey, Bell, Maywood, Walnut Park, Vernon, Lynwood, Echo Park, Silverlake, Mission Hills, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Reseda.
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Both first and third party can bring suit for insurance bad faith.
First party claims are made between its policyholder or insured and the insurance company. These type of claims are contractual by nature and are contingent on the language of the insurance policy. For the insurer to fulfill its obligation not to impair the right of the insured to receive the benefits of the agreement, it again must give at least as much consideration to the latter’s interests as it does to its own.” (Egan v. Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co. (1979) 24 Cal.3d 809, 818—819 [169 Cal.Rptr. 691, 620 P.2d 141].)
Third party insurance claim is made by a party that is not a named policyholder or insured. The most common type of third party insurance claim would be a liability claim i.e, you were rear-ended up by another driver and filed a claim with his/her insurance company.
California Insurance Code §790.3 underlines what insurance companies are prohibited from doing:
Insured must show that the insurer has:
The actionable withholding of benefits may consist of the denial of benefits due; paying less than due; and/or unreasonably delaying payments due.” (Major v. Western Home Ins. Co. (2009) 169 Cal.App.4th 1197, 1209 [87 Cal.Rptr.3d 556], internal citations omitted.)
If an insurance company is successfully found to have acted in bad faith, they may be liable to pay for:
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If you believe that your insurance company may be acting in bad faith, speak to a Los Angeles insurance attorney for a free consultation. Call our office at (310) 943-1171, our attorneys speak English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, and Italian.
Location: 701 North Brand Blvd. Suite 100 Glendale, CA 91203 Telephone: (310) 943-1171 Email: [email protected]
KAASS LAW is authorized to practice law in California. The above content is intended for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS LAW expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS LAW does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS LAW in person at the KAASS LAW office. KAASS LAW helps clients in: Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood. Pacoima, Montebello, Commerce, Alhambra, Downey, Bell, Maywood, Walnut Park, Vernon, Lynwood, Echo Park, Silverlake, Mission Hills, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Reseda.
(a) The decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and issue of deceased children, or, if there is no surviving issue of the decedent, the persons, including the surviving spouse or domestic partner, who would be entitled to the property of the decedent by intestate succession.
(b) Whether or not qualified under subdivision (a), if they were dependent on the decedent, the putative spouse, children of the putative spouse, stepchildren, or parents. As used in this subdivision, “putative spouse” means the surviving spouse of a void or voidable marriage who is found by the court to have believed in good faith that the marriage to the decedent was valid…”
Minors can also bring a cause of action for wrongful death, IF the minor(s)
Damages for wrongful death include:
We provide 24/7 motorcycle accident hot line available for victims involved in motorcycle accidents. Speak to a Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney and find out if you qualify as a relative under California law. Our motorcycle accident lawyers charge our clients' zero upfront legal fees. That’s right – you pay nothing until and unless we make a recovery. Our attorneys speak English, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, and French.
KAASS LAW is authorized to practice law in California. The above content is intended for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS LAW expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS LAW does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS LAW in person at the KAASS LAW office.
KAASS LAW helps clients in: Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood. Pacoima, Montebello, Commerce, Alhambra, Downey, Bell, Maywood, Walnut Park, Vernon, Lynwood, Echo Park, Silverlake, Mission Hills, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Reseda.
It should be noted that USCIS prioritizes asylum applications for interview scheduling as follows:
Generally, the applicants in the first and second categories are scheduled promptly.
Although asylum applicants have to wait for years for their interview, they do not have to wait until the interview to obtain employment authorization. Simply filing an application for asylum does not entitle the applicant to employment authorization. However, an applicant may request a permission to work if the application is still pending, and 150 have passed since the application was accepted by USCIS. 8 C.F.R. § 208.7(a)(1). If the asylum application is not denied, the USCIS has 30 days from the date of filing of the application for employment authorization to grant or deny that application except that no employment authorization will be issued to an asylum applicant prior to the expiration of the 180-day period following the filing of the asylum application. Id. The employment authorization document is valid for two years, and can be extended after the expiration date if the asylum application is still pending.
To sum up, asylum applicants may have to wait for years until their asylum interview. In some regions of the United States applicants have to wait for more than five years. However, foreigners with pending asylum applications may apply for employment authorization five months after filing the application with USCIS.
We invite you to contact our office and speak to our Glendale immigration attorney for a free consultation. Our immigration attorney speaks English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, and Italian.
It is hard to determine what actions violate the unfair competition laws, however if you are ever in doubt the first step would be to call a lawyer. There are several legal routes to take when a business entity are opressing by unfair competition. Filing a lawsuit against an unfair competitor would be the most effective route, in which the plaintiff collects money for every violation. According to BPC 17206, any person who engages in unfair competition will be liable for a civil penalty not exceeding $2500 for each violation.
The court asses each violation made by the Defendant and determines whether it is worthy of a violation. Numerous circumstances are considered when making the final decision, including: the number of violations, seriousness of misconduct, persistence of misconduct, liability, net worth, and defendant’s asset’s.
The industrialization of most cities in the United States puts small business owners at risk of being intimidated or bought out by larger corporations. Business owners can file a lawsuit as a countermeasure to corporation’s intimidation strategies, if they cross the lines of unfair competition. If any business owner is in fear of being a target by other corporations, make sure to contact an attorney to see whether you are a victim of unfair competition.
Give us a call, our litigation and trial attorneys speak English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Hebrew, Farsi, and Arabic.
The chance vary from case to case. Generally the court considered a variety of factors when deciding whether to grant a PC 17(b) felony reduction motion. For instance
Speak to a experienced Glendale criminal defense attorney and find out how you can reduce a felony to a misdemeanor under Penal Code 17(b) PC. Our criminal defense attorneys speak English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, and Italian.
However, if the grant of asylum is always discretionary, the immigration judge must grant withholding of removal if the applicant meets the “more likely than not” standard. The credible testimony of the applicant may be sufficient to meet his burden of proof. If the applicant is able to show past persecution in his home country there will be a presumption that the applicant’s life or freedom will be threatened if the applicant is removed to that country.
The application for asylum also constitutes an application for withholding of removal, and the alien does not have to submit a separate application for that purpose. However, it should be noted that in contrast to asylum, the withholding of removal may be granted only by the immigration judge. Furthermore, the withholding of removal may be granted even though the alien has filed the application one year after his arrival to the United States. Withholding of removal is not available to an alien if:
To sum up, withholding of removal is an option for aliens fearing to return to their home country if the alien is not eligible for asylum. Although the grant of withholding of removal does not result in permanent resident status an alien can legally stay and work in the United States without the fear of being removed to his home country.
Give us a call, our attorneys at KAASS Law speak various languages including English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Hebrew, Farsi, and Arabic.
The primary cause of bedsores may be caused due to the negligent care of nursing home. Nurses and staff members are strictly trained to care for the patient. It is necessary for nursing home staff to follow procedures intended to limit the risk of developing bedsore, as well as treating those who already have bedsores.
The customary method used to avoid bedsores is re-positioning, which aid to alleviate constant pressure in common high-pressure areas of the body. Nursing home staff has the duty to help patients reposition themselves every hour. For those patients that are restricted to a hospital bed should be re-positioned by staff at least every two hours.
If your loved one that is in a nursing home has bedsores, you may be eligible to file a negligence lawsuit on the nursing home. Documentation that proves the patient acquired the bedsores as a result of negligence of the nursing home is important. Filing a lawsuit is a productive way to handle negligence in a nursing home and it can ensure later care for the other patients. For it is crucial that the patients are taken care of properly.
Give us a call, our attorneys speak English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Hebrew, Farsi, and Arabic.
Location: 701 North Brand Blvd. Suite 100 Glendale, CA 91203 Telephone: (310) 943-1171 Email: [email protected]
Understanding these restrictions is crucial for anyone seeking California trademark registration.
To apply for trademark registration under BP 1407, you must provide specific information as required by the Secretary of State:
After submission, your application will undergo an examination as outlined in BP 14209. Here’s what to expect during the review:
Understanding this process can significantly improve your chances of successfully registering your trademark.
Given the complexities of California trademark registration, seeking legal advice is highly recommended. An experienced attorney can guide you through the application process, ensuring compliance with all requirements and protecting your rights. For comprehensive guidance on trademark law, visit the American Bar Association's section on trademarks for valuable insights and resources. At KAASS LAW, our team of dedicated attorneys is ready to assist you in navigating the intricacies of trademark registration and safeguarding your intellectual property. We speak multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, French, and Italian, so you can communicate comfortably. If you are considering California trademark registration, don’t go through this process alone. Contact KAASS LAW today for a consultation. Our knowledgeable attorneys will help you understand your rights and responsibilities, ensuring your brand is effectively protected. Your brand deserves the best defense—let us help you secure it!