News Stories

Generally, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if you are injured during your lunch break in California, but coverage is not automatic. Your eligibility often depends on a series of specific exceptions to a rule known as the "going and coming" rule. Whether your injury occurred on your employer’s property, if you were performing a task for your employer, or in other specific circumstances, will determine if your injury is... Read More

The short answer to whether you can be terminated while on workers' comp in California is complex: yes, it is possible, but it is illegal for your employer to fire you because you filed a workers' compensation claim or were injured on the job. California law provides strong protections against this kind of retaliation. Understanding the difference between a lawful termination and an illegal one is crucial for protecting your rights and your fu... Read More

When you’re recovering from an injury, the last thing you want is a dispute with an insurance company. Yet, many people in this situation receive a settlement offer that feels shockingly low and doesn't begin to cover their expenses. The primary reason insurance companies offer low settlements is simple: they are for-profit businesses. Their financial goal is to minimize the amount they pay out on claims to maximize their profits for sharehold... Read More

After a workplace injury, one of the first things you do is file a workers' compensation claim. Once the paperwork is submitted, a period of waiting begins, which can be a source of significant stress and uncertainty. You can check the status of a workers’ comp claim by directly contacting the insurance company’s claims administrator assigned to your case or by using California's online public search tools if a formal case has been opened w... Read More

The question of whether it’s worth suing an uninsured driver is common, and the answer is: it depends. While you can legally sue an uninsured driver who causes an accident, the practical value of a lawsuit hinges on whether that person has assets or income to pay a court-ordered judgment. For many accident victims in Southern California, a lawsuit is not the only or even the best path to recovery. Fortunately, other options, such as your own i... Read More

If you're asking, "Why is my accident settlement taking so long?" you are certainly not the first person to feel that way. After a serious accident, the wait for a settlement can feel endless, especially when medical bills are piling up and you’re unable to work. The simple answer is that many critical factors must be addressed before your case can be resolved fairly. A settlement isn’t just a single event; it's the final step in a detailed... Read More

Determining who is at fault in a car accident while changing lanes in California usually starts with the driver who made the move. In most situations, the driver who changes lanes has a legal responsibility to make sure the path is clear and it is safe to proceed. However, California law recognizes that fault is not always absolute, and other factors, such as the speed or attentiveness of the other driver, can play a significant role in the fi... Read More

Yes, in many cases, you are required by law to report a car accident to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This requirement is completely separate from calling 911 or having the police file a report at the scene. If the collision involved an injury, a fatality, or property damage that appears to be more than $1,000, you have a legal duty to file a special report. Knowing when and how to do this is key to protecting your rights ... Read More

It’s a natural human reflex: when you fall, you put your hands out to break the impact. While this instinct can protect your head and vital organs, it often results in severe injuries from falling and landing on your hands. The force of your body weight concentrating on your wrists, hands, and arms can cause complex fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue damage that may require surgery and lead to long-term complications. If your fall was... Read More

Between 15% and 26% of California drivers are uninsured, according to a report from the Insurance Research Council. Some drivers, however, will not own up to being uninsured after an accident and instead provide fraudulent information. Often, it can take days to discover this deception, only raising the stakes for an insurance claim in the process. False information does not mean the other party is liable for their own damages, nor does it mea... Read More

As California drivers, we have a responsibility to keep our vehicles in good condition and repair any defects if necessary. To protect the safety of drivers on the road, California requires that all eligible vehicles in the state undergo a vehicle safety inspection to help keep the roads safe and decrease car accidents. While not all vehicles have to undergo an inspection, the majority of drivers are subject to this requirement. It is importan... Read More

If you’ve suffered a work-related injury in California, it’s crucial to understand how workers’ compensation settlements are calculated. This knowledge can help you maximize your benefits and ensure fair compensation for your injuries. You need to understand the factors that impact settlement amounts and the key considerations involved in calculating your workers’ compensation settlement. To protect your rights and ensure you receive the fu... Read More

When working in an office setting, the last thing you expect is to suffer an injury, yet employees might experience injuries from repetitive motion, specifically carpal tunnel syndrome. Many workers might not think they can obtain compensation or legal recourse for these injuries because there was no single accident or event that caused them. However, you can file a workers’ compensation claim for carpal tunnel. Workers’ comp law categorize... Read More

Researchers say that there are as many as 300,000 people living with spinal cord injuries in the United States. Additionally, around 18,000 people sustain a new spinal cord injury each year across the country. Often, these incidents are caused by vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, sports injuries, or another type of severe incident. But does a spinal cord injury qualify for disability? Let’s discuss whether a person with a spinal cord ... Read More

There are various reasons why a person may need to remove their breast implants. One reason may be that your doctor has determined that doing so is medically necessary. Furthermore, a person may also want to have their breast implants removed if those implants have been recalled. But who pays for breast implant recall surgery? Needing to have your breast implants removed due to health risks is a real possibility, especially for those who ha... Read More

Bicycle helmets save lives. Unfortunately, many individuals choose not to wear a bicycle helmet when they head out for some riding. This can be deadly. According to the National Safety Council, approximately one-third of all non-fatal bicycle injuries are head injuries. Data also shows that most of the 80,000 bicycle-related head injuries treated in emergency rooms every year are brain injuries. Understanding bicycle helmet laws in California ... Read More

We are proud to celebrate a truly special evening on the horizon: this year’s Orange County Trial Lawyers Association (OCTLA) Top Gun Awards & Installation Dinner, where remarkable leaders in our legal community will be honored for their exceptional achievements, dedication, and service.

Greg Bentley to Be Inducted Into the Hall of Fame

This year, we are honored to celebrate Greg Bentley, who will be inducted into the prestigious OCTLA Hall of Fame. Greg’s extraordinary career, leadership, and unwavering commitment to justice have shaped the legal landscape and set a standard of excellence we are proud to recognize.

2025 OCTLA Top Gun Honorees

This year’s Top Gun Awards celebrate attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional skill, courage, and results in their practice areas. We congratulate the following honorees:

• Keith Bruno & Nick Rowley – Top Gun: Medical Malpractice
  Recognized for their outstanding advocacy and groundbreaking work on behalf of patients and families.
• Tom Antunovich – Top Gun: Young Gun
  Honored for his exceptional early-career achievements, passion for justice, and impressive results.
• William Shapiro – Top Gun: Distinguished Achievement
  Celebrated for a career marked by excellence, leadership, and unwavering service to the profession.
• Greyson Goody – Top Gun: Personal Injury
  Recognized for his dedication to injured clients and his remarkable success in personal injury litigation.

Clare Lucich Installed as Incoming OCTLA President

We are also thrilled to celebrate Clare Lucich, a previously honored Young Gun Top Gun Recipient, who will be installed as President of OCTLA in January. Clare’s leadership, commitment, and vision continue to elevate the organization, and her upcoming presidency marks an exciting new chapter for OCTLA. This year, she will also co-host the awards ceremony alongside the current OCTLA President.

Keith More Returns as Live Auction MC

A beloved and familiar presence, Keith More—a four-time Top Gun Honoree for Workers’ Compensation—will once again serve as the MC for the Live Auction, a role he has embraced with enthusiasm and excellence year after year.

This year’s Top Gun Awards & Installation Dinner promises to be an inspiring evening celebrating dedication, leadership, and the pursuit of justice. We congratulate all honorees and look forward to commemorating their achievements together.

 

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The accident came out of nowhere, leaving you in pain and unsure of what to do next. One moment, you were at work in Orange County, and the next, a workplace injury disrupted your life. Questions about medical bills, lost earnings, and job security flood your mind. Acting quickly can make a real difference for your health and future. California workers’ compensation benefits are available to help, but the system has strict rules and deadl... Read More

You got hurt at work, and it might have been because of a mistake. Maybe you missed a safety step, took a shortcut, or made a poor choice that led to an accident. With medical bills piling up and time away from work, it can feel overwhelming and unfair. The good news is that California's workers' compensation system protects employees even when the injury was partly your fault. This means you can usually receive medical care and earnings ... Read More

Your night out in Newport Beach took a terrifying turn when a drunk driver hit your car on the way home. The driver had been drinking at a local bar or restaurant, clearly intoxicated before getting behind the wheel. Now you’re dealing with serious injuries, medical bills, and the stress of wondering if the place that served them can be responsible. California’s dram shop laws let people injured by drunk drivers hold alcohol-serving estab... Read More