Greg Bentley

Elaina Gonzales, a 52-year-old ex-military/ex-police officer fell victim to the November 8, 2018 Camp Fires in Paradise, CA.  At the time, Elaina was working for Allied Security as a security officer.  On that fateful Thursday in November, Elaina was on her way to work.  She was scheduled to report at Feather River Hospital. She got a call at approximately 6:30 a.m. from her Supervisory officer notifying her that the fires were two canyons away. When she arrived, the fires were fast approaching. Embers were flying, brush and trees were burning.  She immediately started evacuating patients of the hospital. It was her and 2 other security officers. She felt a burden of responsibility. She wanted to leave, to get home, get her dog and get to safety. But she couldn’t.

Elaina focused her attention to the emergency room. She lined up patients (some in wheelchairs, some unable to walk) assisting in the evacuation efforts.  Ambulances were unable to get to the hospital.  They had limited resources and were forced to transport patients three at a time down the hill to Enloe Hospital.  In all, she aided in the transport of about 60 patients to safety. She describes the scene as “Active burning. The flames were coming up from the canyon and the building was on fire”.  Once all the patients had been transported, Elaina was last to leave the burning building.  She and the other two security officers jumped in her car in an attempt to get down the mountain to safety.  Ultimately, Elaina ditched her car on the side of the road because traffic down the hill was deadlocked. Performing on adrenaline and impulse, she and the other passengers got out of the vehicle and started to run. Fire was creeping up the mountain on both sides of the road. It was a swirling scene of embers, trees burning, smoke and pandemonium. “Embers were flying…as we were running, one of the officer’s uniform caught fire”, Elaina recalls.  Despite the chaos and fear, she remained focused. She did not want to die. She commanded, “We have to run; we have to get ahead of this…”. Elaina was focused on the safety of the two officers first and foremost.

Elaina had wanted to go back to her home but was unable. Police Officers had the roads blocked and barricaded. Her Dog! She had to leave her dog. Elaina lost her home, her car and her dog in that fire. Unfortunately, it goes beyond physical possessions.

Elaina started experiencing onset anxiety & stress almost immediately. She was experiencing respiratory issues due to heavy smoke inhalation. In the face of these conditions, Elaina was ordered to report back to the Feather River Hospital the following day to the scene of the fire. The purpose, she believes – to secure the hospital from looting. Elaina didn’t feel safe. The conditions were still bad. Fire was still burning. Yet – she went and followed orders. Elaina expressed these concerns and made it clear to her supervisors but they were relentless. They were making demands despite the tragic circumstances. Elaina continued to work, and report, spent hours on the phone with other officers all day and night throughout the weekend. She recalls thinking, “I just wanted a moment to breathe…”.

The ensuing Monday, Elaina sat before her supervisors. She recalls expressing she thought she needed some time off. She asked the HR Manager what her options were.  In her recollection, his direct quote was “I am here to protect the company”.

Elaina retained Keith More, co-founder of Bentley & More LLP. A Workers’ Compensation claim was filed so that Elaina could get the necessary medical treatment for the smoke inhalation and anxiety.  Unfortunately, the claim has been denied. A letter dated February 5, 2019, states “After careful consideration of all available information, we are denying liability for your claim…there is a factual dispute surrounding the circumstances of your alleged injury…”  The work comp insurance carrier claims the fires were an act of G-d and hence not covered.

“How can anyone state these fires were an act of G-d when Pacific Gas & Electric has admitted its responsibility,” exclaimed Keith More.

The Workers’ Compensation system is in place for reasons exactly like this. Yet Elaina’s claim has been denied. Keith and his team at Bentley & More LLP will continue to fight the system. A Priority Conference is scheduled for later this month before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Keith will present facts in support of his client in hopes this decision will be reversed and Elaina will get the benefits she deserves.

“When you pick a jury, you become the leader.” -Greg Bentley

Bentley and More Co-Founders, Greg Bentley and Keith More we’re chosen to speak at the annual CAOC/CAOIE & OCTLA Seminar held at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Palm Springs, CA. Only the best of the best attend this intimate conference filled with insights from the brightest stars in the legal community. Our team of Partners & Trial Attorneys, had the honor of speaking in several sessions over the 2-day line-up and rocked the house.

“You must preserve the rights of your client when you settle the PI case first.” – Keith More

Head to our website for more useful tips and invaluable advice from our partners.  

bentleymore.com

A special thanks to OCTLA & CAOC/CAOIE for putting together an outstanding conference!

On March 31, 2019, Co-Founder Keith More had the pleasure of representing Bentley & More LLP for a night of purpose and inspiration at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society “Students of the Year Grand Finale Celebration” held at Fete the Venue in Costa Mesa, CA. Keith’s daughter, Camryn More (a sophomore at Newport Harbor High School) was among the student nominees for the esteemed Award.

The campaign is a philanthropic program through which motivated high-school leaders champion the cause through volunteerism, community involvement and fundraising in honor of children who are blood cancer survivors. The 2019 candidates and team members raised over $351,000 over the 7-week competition.

“So proud of Camryn and her team Blood Warriors, for raising over $40,000 for Leukemia Lymphoma Society. And a big thank you to my partner Greg Bentley and our team at Bentley & More for all of the support….”

– Keith P. More

The campaign was made up of 985 teams and 8,500 multi-generational fundraising team members. It reached 89 markets across the U.S. with an anticipated $20+ million in revenue for the in 2019 fiscal year!

“Bentley & More was a huge part of our success and has helped us move closer to achieving our Mission.”

– Deborah Levy, Executive Director (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)

Bentley & More had a great night at the Orange County Trial Lawyers Assocation’s (OCTLA) 56th Annual Installation and Awards Program! Judge Glenn Salter received the Judicial Excellence Award and B. James Pantone was sworn in as the 2019 President. Not only did Bentley & More sponsor the event, but our own Whit Bertch won Board Member of the Year, and Mr. Bertch and Partner Clare Lucich were sworn in as members of the 2019 Board of Directors by Senator Connie Leyva! Mr. Bertch was also part of the presentation of the check for $200,000 to the nonprofit Together We Rise, representing the final amount raised at the OCTLA Top Gun Awards in December where co-founding partner Keith More served as the live auctioneer.

It was a fantastic night, and many thanks as always to Janet Thornton for making it all happen, and to Geraldine Ly and her board for an outstanding 2018. Looking forward to an exciting 2019 and continuing to be involved with this great organization!

Bentley & More LLP recently relocated to Newport Beach and invites you to come check out our new office, including our event and meeting space, The Side Bar! Big thank you to Robert Gigliotti of RRG Photography (@rrg_photography and www.rrgphotography.com) for the great pics!! #bentleymoresidebar

Since its inception in August 2016, Bentley & More LLP has become a leader in consumer-focused litigation, specializing in telling clients’ unique stories and obtaining record results, including numerous six-, seven-, and eight-figure verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured consumers and workers. Leading the firm are co-founding partners Greg Bentley and Keith More, who have been recognized by numerous legal publications and associations, including Greg Bentley being chosen by the Daily Journal as a Top 30 Plaintiff Attorney in California and Keith More being chosen as one of the Top Labor & Employment Attorneys. Recently, Mr. Bentley and Mr. More were selected to Super Lawyers, which marks ten consecutive years. Senior Trial Attorney James F. Tierney, III has been selected to Super Lawyers each year since 2012, and in 2018, the firm also had four lawyers selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Evan Grant, Matthew Clark, Clare Lucich, and Natasha Axelrod.

Congratulations to Bentley & More Senior Trial Attorney James F. Tierney, III on his selection to Super Lawyers for the eighth consecutive year! An honor reserved for only the top 5% of lawyers in California, we are certainly not surprised to see Mr. Tierney named once again. Mr. Tierney practices in Redlands and heads up the firm’s Inland Empire office specializing in personal injury and insurance matters. We are so proud to have him on our team. Congratulations on this esteemed honor!

On January 7, 2019, Greg Bentley and Keith More attended the Inauguration of Gavin Newsom on the steps of the Capitol Building in Sacramento. The ceremony included the Governor’s address and remarks by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and was followed by a celebration at the Governor’s Mansion, where Mr. Bentley was also interviewed by ABC7 news. Mr. Bentley and Mr. More have been avid supporters of Mr. Newsom from the beginning, and look forward to working with the Governor continuing to fight for consumer rights and protections in California.

Co-founding Partner Keith More has generously donated $100,000 to set up an endowment scholarship fund at his alma mater DePaul University College of Law. The endowed fund is named “Keith and Paige More Breasties Endowed Scholarship” – and will serve to provide recognition and financial assistance to students enrolled in the College of Law, who have good academic standing and financial need, with a preference given to students who have been impacted, either directly or indirectly, by breast or ovarian cancer. Mr. More’s daughter, Paige More, underwent a preventive double mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene that is known to cause cancer. Ms. More has since become an advocate and founded a nonprofit organization, The Breasties, which is dedicated to supporting young women affected by breast and ovarian cancer. By setting up this endowment, Mr. More is honoring his daughter’s ongoing fight with breast and ovarian cancer as well as honoring his mother Cookie’s legacy. Mr. More, a proud alumnus of the College of Law, is grateful for all the opportunities afforded to him and wishes to help future students.

For more information on The Breasties, please visit https://thebreasties.org/

Press coverage from Tuesday’s press conference announcing the filing of the lawsuit against insurance giant CSAA on behalf of five families who lost their homes in the 2017 wine country fires. Bentley & More’s Greg Bentley is quoted in the article linked below: “These AAA insureds — as well as many other AAA insureds throughout the state — are woefully underinsured in the event of a fire loss and will be unable to rebuild their home.”

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/9083572-181/santa-rosa-area-wildfire-victims-sue