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California Legal Malpractice Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: Must Defendants be served with request for monetary judgment?

Based in Eureka, CA

1-12-24: Defendants Motion to Strike = denied. Ordered $2,500 atty fees (never pd); ordered to answer in 15 days (he never did).

1-29-24: Defendant filed appeal of Motion to Strike denial - it was denied

2-29-24: Entry of Default was filed against... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jan 24, 2025

You aren't going to surprise the attorney by serving monetary judgment docs. He has already moved his assets if he is so inclined and/or has assets. He knew you were seeking money from the moment that he was served with the lawsuit, at the latest. However, once you have filed a Request for... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Civil Rights and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: at my last court hearing my attorney sexually assaulted my wife and I want to sue him and file charges against him
Louis George Fazzi
Louis George Fazzi
answered on Jan 17, 2025

That sounds terrible, and I would love to help you, but I'm a California lawyer and not admitted to practice law in Florida. You need a lawyer who is admitted to the practice of law in your state. I only know one lawyer who may have practiced in your state, but his practice is limited to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: such recently discovered facts be added to reasons for compelling further responses? what statute defines that?

How exactly California Code of Civil Procedure Section 2031.310 allow party to compel further responses, including newly discovered facts in reasoning for compelling further responses? In other words - when new facts were discovered since discovery was propounded, that strengthen basis to compel... View More

Pavel Kolmogorov
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answered on Jan 15, 2025

You correctly identified the statute that governs motions to compel further responses to document requests (Section 2031.310). While the statute does not explicitly mention the use of newly discovered facts, it provides a framework for compelling additional responses when initial responses are... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: Can reasons why further responses to discovery have to be provided be supported by facts obtained since propounding?

Can reasons why further responses to discovery have to be provided be supported in the Separate Statement by new facts, obtained since discovery was initially propounded?

Gerald Barry Dorfman
Gerald Barry Dorfman
answered on Jan 10, 2025

This answer assumes you are asking about the reasons provided in the separate statement accompanying a motion to compel. There is no legal or logical reason to exclude such facts. The purpose of the statement is to highlight for the judge why responses/further responses should be compelled. It is... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: Hello, I retained personal injury lawyers for a slip and fall case. It took over 4 years to finally settle.

During this time, I was never able to reach my attorney or ever got return calls or emails. They canceled countless hearings without any notice when I took the day off of work to attend. The case never went to trial and settled for $300,000. The law firm took $200,000 of that amount plus... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 17, 2024

If you kept about 1/3 of your settlement, you did well. It also sounds like your attorney reduced his fee if you kept $100,000. Fees for a case of that age are frequently 40%. Even at a 1/3 fee, plus costs and medical expenses, you wouldn't get $100,000, unless the attorney reduced his fee.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Legal Malpractice, Medical Malpractice, Federal Crimes and Health Care Law for California on
Q: I’m not sure what to do here —- is this medical malpractice and I sue the physician? Or is this an emtala violation?

Friday, November 28, 2024, Ms. A, a 57-year-old female was taken to "Parkview Community Hospital" also known as "Doctors Hospital of Riverside, LLC" located at 3865 Jackson Street, Riverside, CA. Ms. A was sent via emergency ambulance by her boyfriend, with complaints of... View More

Eliza Jasinska
Eliza Jasinska
answered on Dec 13, 2024

This situation may involve both medical malpractice and an EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act) violation. Medical malpractice could be argued if the care provided fell below the standard expected, particularly regarding the lack of a gastroenterologist and potential delays in... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: I paid lawyer up front for services he did not provide, how do i get a refund?

In November 2022 I paid $5000 to a lawyer to represent my friend who was in custody. The lawyer had me send the $5000 payment via Zelle.

In the end all the lawyer did was go to court one day and file a motion which ended up being denied. From that point on my friend was represented by a... View More

Bradley Drew Hochberg
Bradley Drew Hochberg
answered on Dec 10, 2024

You would send a certified letter asking for an accounting of the money you gave him and a refund of any money that was not used up in the amount. Even if it was a flat fee, lawyers can only keep the amount that was reasonable as per an accounting. If i charge a flat fee my retainer states that it... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Civil Litigation and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: I have a case where I was rear ended by a drunk driver who was driving another persons car. This happened on the highway

Causing me to flip multiple times and get tboned by a 16 wheeler. I was rushed to the hospital and was found to have major injuries to my spinal cord with multiple contusions to my neck and back. I’m In pain everyday and can’t get the medics, attention I need because of this major setback which... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Nov 23, 2024

It sounds like your lawyer got you the policy limit of the drunk driver. It sounds like the semi truck driver isn't at fault, although if he left the scene that is suspicious. Nevertheless, if the semi driver can't be found, what do you want your attorney to do? He got all of the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: If im having issues finding a lawyer does that mean I'm being ignored on purpose, or what would be the issue?

I've communicated to multiple parties on and off for probably a year and don't have any proper representation or assistance other then the cal bar website..

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Nov 20, 2024

If you are being ignored or turned away the most likely reason is you don't have a viable case. Law firms are businesses that are profit driven. You don't state whether you are willing to finance the litigation, but I would guess not. Quite simply, prepare a clear and concise statement of... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Legal Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: I am deeply dissatisfied with the legal services provided by Attorney

I am deeply dissatisfied with the legal services provided by my Attorney

* Failure to Communicate: has consistently failed to communicate with me about my case. They have not responded to my emails, phone calls, or letters. This lack of communication has caused significant stress and... View More

Jonathan Kintzele
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answered on Sep 8, 2024

This is a poor situation to be in. No doubt anybody who has had a good attorney represent them, has had disagreements and squabbles with their lawyer. But in your situation it appears you have both a bad lawyer (presumably) and a selfish person. The proper means of following the California... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Legal Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: I am deeply dissatisfied with the legal services provided by Attorney

I am deeply dissatisfied with the legal services provided by my Attorney

* Failure to Communicate: has consistently failed to communicate with me about my case. They have not responded to my emails, phone calls, or letters. This lack of communication has caused significant stress and... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 18, 2024

One option is to discuss the file with a different attorney. In most situations, clients are free to discharge their attorneys, and vice-versa, attorneys are free to withdraw from representing a client (barring certain situations, such as looming statutes of limitations, etc.). It's possible... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Legal Malpractice and Gov & Administrative Law for California on
Q: California civil what are the standard and rule for a lawyer formally appearing before court on behalf of some1?

My daughter lawyer works for a law firm. The firm is listed on her complaint but the lawyer representing her didnt say she is the attorney of record….She only say “I am a attorney for— then she say her law firm” She never say appearing on behalf or for my daughter (plaintiff), no notice of... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 26, 2024

In California, an attorney must formally appear before the court on behalf of a client to represent them in a legal matter. Typically, this involves filing a Notice of Appearance with the court, stating that the attorney or law firm is representing the client in the case. This notice helps ensure... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Legal Malpractice and Sexual Harassment for California on
Q: What steps can I take to prevent my case from surpassing the deadline?

I filed a lawsuit against my former attorney for professional negligence: misconduct and malpractice. He dismissed, withdrew, and continued my case without notifying me or obtaining my permission. He neglected to prepare for my hearing and trial, which ultimately resulted in my case being lost.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 24, 2024

Under California law, the statute of limitations for legal malpractice typically is one year from the date you discovered or should have discovered the wrongful act or omission, or four years from the date of the wrongful act or omission, whichever occurs first. In cases where the attorney's... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: credible information about identities - response to interrogatory.

If in interrogatory plaintiff was not specific in definition of identity characteristics, what credible information about identities inquired

defendant has to provide?

Unless objection to interrogatory without any information is deemed acceptable.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 30, 2024

To answer this question, let's break down the key elements and consider the legal requirements for responding to interrogatories in California:

1. Interrogatory definition: If the plaintiff did not provide a specific definition of "identity characteristics" in their...
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1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: C&R, what can break this deal. I had injuries not reported, no pcp report, the comprimise was never given fired after

On workers comp for over year, injured 2 times on light duty from breaking my doctors rules, put on permn.and stationary even with my doctor filing for a knee scope operation. Denied, after 2nd injury sent home with no check for 4 months. At appeals for surgery i Inform the judge about my new... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 29, 2024

I understand you're in a difficult situation with your workers' compensation case. Let me break down the key points and provide some general information:

1. Compromise and Release (C&R) agreements:

A C&R is a final settlement of a workers' compensation claim....
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Health Care Law and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: How access can be achieved, how demand must be phrased?

I could not obtain on this forum straight forward answer. It is apparent that attorneys can obtain direct access to opposing party's records on premises of the hospital. How it can be achieved, how demand must be phrased?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 21, 2024

To gain access to the opposing party's medical records at a hospital in California, you need to follow specific legal procedures. Start by serving a subpoena duces tecum on the hospital, which commands the production of documents. This subpoena should clearly describe the records you need,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: I need to research Top education errors in the faulty insertion of DRG by neurosurgeon, caused Sentinel Event. Abott Rep

Consult in Boston and different Abott Rep notified. Me and pain doc of huge Neurosurgeon errors. Nurse of 40. Yrs. Mgh md stated this DRG may never be removed, much more dire issued

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 21, 2024

I understand you're looking to research errors related to the insertion of a dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulator by a neurosurgeon, which led to a sentinel event. This is a complex medical and legal situation. Here's some guidance on researching this topic:

1. Medical...
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1 Answer | Asked in Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: My lawyer refuses to prepare for trial next week, insist I take the offer, what are my options?

According to him, he stopped working my case 10 days ago, refuses to talk or responds to emails. He is betting on me accepting last minute and isn’t preparing for trial. He won’t answer my questions to get prepared, is mad that I asked for accounting info and he’s withholding info. What are... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 20, 2024

Based on the situation you've described, you have several potential options, but you need to act quickly given the upcoming trial. Here are some steps you might consider:

1. File a complaint with the California State Bar:

You can file a complaint against your lawyer for...
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1 Answer | Asked in Federal Crimes, Gov & Administrative Law and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: How to obtain verifiable information of other patients of the defendant hospital with similar characteristics

How to obtain from defendant hospital verifiable information of other patients with the same unenforceable waiver for authorization to release records in conditions of admission to hospital, record of terminal disease, single, and discharged to b&c facility from hospital?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 20, 2024

To obtain verifiable information about other patients with similar characteristics from the defendant hospital, you need to file a formal request for discovery during the litigation process. This request can include a demand for documents and records that match the criteria you described. Be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: In regard to citation requested.

Both cases

Costco Wholesale Corp. v. Superior Court (2009) 47 Cal.4th 725,

And Rico v. Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (2007) 42 Cal.4th 807

Do not have any reference to requirement for in camera review of motion to compel further with privilege log.

Motion to compel... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 19, 2024

To find court cases in California, start by visiting the California Courts website. This site offers access to a wide range of legal resources, including the ability to search for specific cases by name, case number, or keywords. You can also look for recent opinions from the California Supreme... View More

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