If a property owner or major tenant, adopts protective measures, such as security guards, and a visitor is injured, the owner or tenant is liable for the injury only if either (a) the safety undertaking of hiring security guards increased the risk of harm or (b) the...
California Business Litigation Blog
What causes scope creep?
Contracts create a pretty clear outline when it comes to everybody’s rights and responsibilities in an agreement, which can make a situation confusing when a project or plan changes along the way. This happens more often than many people realize, especially in the...
No Workers Comp? No License. No Money.
In Lee v Cardiff, a Contra Costa appeal released for publication on August 11, again a contractor was caught claiming his employees were independent contractors in order to avoid paying workers compensation insurance premiums. The contractor was ordered to repay...
3 of the top reasons employees file lawsuits against businesses
Every new hire at an organization is a potential source of organizational liability. Workers can mistreat each other, leading to harassment claims. They can make mistakes that lead to customer or client complaints. They could also eventually take the company to court,...
Has a former worker violated a confidentiality agreement?
Many businesses in California have a vested interest in protecting their trade secrets. Information ranging from proprietary manufacturing processes to supplier lists can give an organization a competitive edge and help it remain profitable. Whenever organizations...
The basics of acquiring a zoning variance for your business
If you’re a business owner, you know that location can make all the difference in our success. And securing the right location in Oakland can be difficult and expensive. You have to not only be diligent in searching out properties that may be right for your business,...
Do Not Hire an Unlicensed Contractor to Work on Your Home
Construction work costing more than $500.00 must be performed by a licensed contractor. A handyman cannot do work for more than $500.00. If anyone comes onto your property to do work which requires a contractor’s license, and does not have the required license, that...
Real estate laws that all home owners in California should know about
If you live in the beautiful state of California, it is important that you are aware of the state's important real estate laws that will most likely affect you since you live in the state. These apply to people who are selling properties and people who are buying...
Section 1031 exchanges and real estate investment
If you purchase real estate for investment in California, you may be concerned about having to pay capital gains taxes if you sell the property and reinvest or “exchange” the funds from the sale into another investment property. Fortunately, Section 1031 of the...
Defending against a breach of contract claim
Many businesses in Oakland enter complex contracts with vendors, clients and other businesses. These documents are an essential part of business development, but there are times when one party argues that you breached the contract and owe them damages. Do you have any...