Bowles & Verna LLPBowles & Verna LLP2026-06-17T01:01:33Zhttps://www.bowlesverna.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1104601/2022/02/cropped-Site-icon-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Bowles & Verna LLP<![CDATA[Can California employers still use non-compete agreements?]]>https://www.bowlesverna.com/?p=527962026-05-14T08:14:08Z2026-05-14T08:09:28ZCalifornia has long limited non-compete agreements, but recent laws have expanded those limits even further. Senate Bill 699 and Assembly Bill 1076 now affect some agreements signed outside California and place new notice duties on employers. If you are a worker or business owner in the Bay Area, these changes may affect how you think about hiring, job changes and workplace rules.
Understanding SB 699 and AB 1076
Most non-compete agreements were already hard to enforce under California Business and Professions Code Section 16600. However, SB 699 and AB 1076 strengthened those protections. Under the updated rules, officials may treat many non-compete clauses as void regardless of the location or date of signing.The law may apply even if you signed the agreement while living in another state, your employer’s headquarters are outside California or the contract says another state’s law should apply.In addition, SB 699 allows workers to challenge certain non-compete agreements in court. If an employer tries to enforce a void agreement, the employer could face claims for damages and attorney fees.
Reviewing past notice requirements
AB 1076 also created a one time notice requirement for many employers. Under the law, employers generally needed to notify current and certain former employees by Feb. 14, 2024, that covered non-compete clauses in their contracts were void.In many situations, employers needed to notify current employees and former employees who worked for the company after Jan. 1, 2022.If an employer failed to send these notices, it could create added legal risk. In some cases, workers may point to that failure when raising concerns about unfair competition or limits on job opportunities.
Evaluating restrictive clauses in contracts
Even though California limits traditional non-compete clauses, some contracts still include other restrictions. It may help to look closely at terms involving non-solicitation, confidentiality and stay bonuses before you change jobs.For example, some employers have used customer non-solicitation clauses to try to stop workers from bringing clients to a new company. Under current California rules, courts may treat some of these clauses like noncompete agreements if they go too far and do not focus on protecting real trade secrets.At the same time, confidentiality and trade secret rules may still apply in many cases. Simply marking information as confidential does not always prevent you from working for a competitor or contacting former clients.
Considering your next career move
If you plan to switch jobs, these laws may give you more freedom to pursue new work. Even so, job changes can still involve contract details that need close attention.Before leaving your job, you may want to review your offer letter and any later agreements for trade secret protections involving company information, repayment terms tied to bonuses or training costs, and any notice rules that apply before you resign.Looking at these terms in advance may help you understand possible issues before you accept a new position.
Understanding the bigger picture
California’s rules on job mobility remain among the most worker friendly in the country, especially in industries where companies compete for talent. At the same time, business laws, court decisions and enforcement actions may still shape how these rules work in real situations.Because each job situation involves different contracts and workplace practices, legal information tailored to your circumstances may help you better understand your rights and responsibilities before making career decisions.]]>On Behalf of Bowles & Verna LLP<![CDATA[Who pays when a robotaxi causes a crash in San Francisco?]]>https://www.bowlesverna.com/?p=527262026-03-06T07:42:51Z2026-03-06T07:42:51ZSan Francisco streets now have a new type of vehicle: robotaxis. Companies like Waymo and Cruise operate these driverless cars. They pick up passengers and navigate traffic without a human behind the wheel. This technology promises convenience. However, it also raises a big question: who pays if a robotaxi crashes?
The answer is not simple. Robotaxi crashes often involve multiple parties. Unlike a typical car accident, it is not just about a human driver making a mistake. Because software, sensors and automation guide the car, figuring out faults can be more complicated.
When the driver is software
In most accidents, investigators look at the human driver. Speeding, distraction or running a stop sign often shows who is at fault. However, Robotaxis work differently because no one is actively driving. Cameras, radar and artificial intelligence make the decisions instead.Now, responsibility often comes down to the technology itself. A crash could happen because of software problems, broken parts or how the company manages its fleet. Investigators usually examine:
Software errors: Problems in the driving system can cause sudden stops, missed signals or unsafe turns.
Vehicle defects: Faulty brakes, sensors or steering could be a manufacturing issue.
Company oversight: Poor maintenance or weak safety monitoring can cause a crash.
Human involvement: Remote operators or safety staff may still affect how the car responds in certain situations.
Crash data, vehicle logs and maintenance records help investigators piece together what went wrong.
One crash, several possible defendants
Robotaxis use many layers of technology and support. This means more than one company could share responsibility. Waymo or Cruise might operate the car, while another company could build it. Others may provide sensors, cameras or maps.Real cases show how liability can stretch beyond the operator. In San Francisco, Cruise faced a $1.5 million penalty after a pedestrian accident. This demonstrates how regulators can hold companies accountable when their technology causes harm.Claims can be complex. They may require reviewing data and safety reports from different companies. Legal help can make it easier to sort the evidence. Lawyers can also point out who may be liable for injuries or damage.
When innovation meets accountability
Robotaxis are becoming more common in San Francisco. Crashes now raise new questions about responsibility. These driverless car crashes do not always follow the usual “driver at fault” story. Instead, they show how technology, engineering and company oversight work together on the road.]]>On Behalf of Bowles & Verna LLP<![CDATA[Proving pain and suffering after California personal injury law changes]]>https://www.bowlesverna.com/?p=526882026-01-13T15:15:56Z2026-01-13T15:15:56ZCollect detailed evidence
Recovering from these "invisible wounds" depends on the strength of the evidence you can collect. No fixed formula exists for determining noneconomic damages; instead, California juries are instructed to base awards on the evidence and their own common sense.
Insurance companies often try to downplay pain and suffering, but several ways exist to measure the emotional trauma you experience. To build a compelling case, gather specific documentation, including:
Daily journals: Track your physical limitations, pain levels and emotional state
Professional testimony: Expert insights from mental health professionals regarding PTSD or anxiety
Witness statements: Letters from friends or family describing your life before and after the injury
Medical records: Consistent documentation of your symptoms and treatment history
A "whole person" approach looks far beyond the medical bills. It examines how your injury impacts your ability to enjoy hobbies, maintain family dynamics and live independently.
Decoding California’s evolving legal standards
While damages for general personal injury claims remain uncapped, it is important to understand how California law treats different scenarios. For example, recent updates to the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) have increased the limits for medical malpractice cases, but these caps do not apply to standard car accidents or premises liability cases.
These distinctions require a clear understanding of the California Civil Code and current procedural rules. The intersection of insurance tactics and traditional tort law creates a complex environment for any injured person. Claims require a sophisticated presentation of evidence to overcome aggressive defense strategies.
As California’s legal landscape evolves, working with a skilled personal injury attorney is vital to identifying all tangible and intangible losses and accurately calculating their economic impact. Your recovery depends on a strategy that treats your suffering with the compassion and gravity it deserves.]]>On Behalf of Bowles & Verna LLP<![CDATA[The growing Bay Area e-bike and scooter accidents and liability]]>https://www.bowlesverna.com/?p=525812025-11-17T16:24:44Z2025-11-17T16:24:44ZShared electric bikes and scooters are now common across the Bay Area. They offer quick and flexible ways to get around.
But their popularity brings risk. Riders often injure themselves while navigating crowded streets, uneven sidewalks and moving vehicles.If you ride or use these devices, it is important to understand who may be responsible in an accident.
Why shared devices pose unique risks
Although E-bikes and scooters are convenient, they present extreme danger in a crowded urban environment. Local reporting indicates that scooter injuries in San Francisco jumped 213% between 2017–2019 and 2020–2022, showing a significant increase in accidents over a relatively short period. Recent incidents, including fatal hit-and-runs in San Francisco and San Jose, show how quickly injuries can become serious. Hit-and-runs and unpredictable traffic make riding these devices especially risky.
Factors that determine liability in shared device accidents
When an accident happens, more than one party can be responsible. You should look at:
Whether the rental company kept the device in good condition
Whether the rider followed traffic rules and safety guidelines
Whether the roadway or sidewalk was safe
Whether a motor vehicle was involved and if the driver was at fault
Whether company policies or user agreements affect claims
Shared devices are convenient but can be risky for riders and pedestrians. If you get hurt while riding or are hit by an e-bike or scooter, act quickly. Take photos, note details, collect witness information and get medical care as soon as possible.Knowing who is responsible and understanding safety rules can help you handle accidents better and reduce further harm.]]>On Behalf of Bowles & Verna LLP<![CDATA[How to document invisible catastrophic injuries]]>https://www.bowlesverna.com/?p=525822025-09-16T14:02:17Z2025-09-16T14:02:17ZDaily pain journals strengthen your claim
Start keeping a detailed daily journal right after your injury. Write down your pain levels, emotional struggles, sleep problems and activities you can no longer enjoy. Note how your injury affects your relationships with family and friends.
You can also write about social events you missed, hobbies you gave up and daily tasks that now cause trouble. These detailed records will show your suffering in ways medical charts alone cannot.
Medical documentation matters
Your medical records provide key evidence for invisible catastrophic injuries. Go to all appointments and follow your treatment plans exactly. More importantly, tell your doctors about all your symptoms clearly, making sure they write everything down.
You may also ask for referrals to specialists who can testify about your condition. Getting brain testing for head injuries or mental health evaluations for PTSD and other professional assessments add credibility to your claims.
Witness statements tell your story
Those who know you before and after your accident are a huge help in documenting changes in your life since the injury. They can offer strong testimonies about visible changes, such as how you walk, eat or interact with them. Ask family members, friends, coworkers and neighbors to document:
Specific personality changes they've noticed
Activities you used to enjoy but now avoid
Physical limitations they've seen
Emotional changes like irritability or sadness
These observations from others often carry great weight when proving invisible injuries exist.
The healing power of documentation
There are many life-changing and life-threatening injuries with no visible scars but cause real suffering inside. Thorough documentation of your experience helps in two important ways. Beyond getting you the compensation you deserve, recording your experience helps you process your new reality.
By tracking your improvements and setbacks, you create a roadmap of your healing journey. This practice not only strengthens your legal case but also empowers you to take an active role in your recovery.]]>On Behalf of Bowles & Verna LLP<![CDATA[What if crash repairs reduce a car’s resale value?]]>https://www.bowlesverna.com/?p=513882025-09-12T15:45:58Z2025-09-12T15:45:58ZDiminished resale value is sometimes recoverable
Factors including the value of the vehicle, the amount of damage to the vehicle and the policy limits of the driver at fault affect compensation after a crash. If drivers have received repair cost estimates that are clearly lower than the total property damage coverage available, then they may be able to make a claim for compensation based on the diminished resale value of the vehicle as well.
Typically, such claims need to be part of the primary negotiation process, as those who have already settled with the insurance company usually cannot request more compensation later. It is of the utmost importance to have a realistic idea of how repairing the vehicle might affect its resale value later.
Requesting compensation for diminished vehicle value after a collision is a reasonable reaction to a serious wreck. People seeking to optimize their financial recovery after a major motor vehicle collision may need support reviewing the available coverage, estimating their losses and communicating with insurance companies, and that’s okay.]]>On Behalf of Bowles & Verna LLP<![CDATA[Does delayed mortality impact a wrongful death lawsuit?]]>https://www.bowlesverna.com/?p=513862025-08-29T13:25:54Z2025-08-29T13:25:54ZSome preventable tragedies have immediate and obvious consequences. For example, if a car crash leads to on-site fatalities, the family members left behind know immediately that they need to look into their legal options.
Other times, incidents that cause wrongful death do not cause immediate fatalities. A person with a traumatic brain injury from a car crash might end up on life support in the hospital for weeks or even months. They may later succumb to their injuries, leaving behind grieving family members. Does delayed mortality after a wrongful act or a situation caused by negligence impact the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit?
Delayed mortality does not prevent litigation
A lengthy hospitalization prior to an individual’s passing because of their injuries does not prevent the people left behind from filing a wrongful death lawsuit. If anything, the time provided allows grieving family members an opportunity to learn about their rights and prepare to take action. Technically, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit depends on the date of death, not the date of the incident that caused the death. Therefore, a delay in mortality does not prevent families from filing a lawsuit. In scenarios where medical conditions caused by negligence or misconduct persist for months or years before an individual passes, staggering medical expenses could accumulate during that time. The lawsuit brought by those left behind could theoretically request compensation for the medical expenses of the decedent before their passing. Survivors grieving a situation that eventually proved fatal may be in a position to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Holding the person or business at fault for a tragedy accountable can provide those left behind with closure and financial relief.
]]>On Behalf of Bowles & Verna LLP<![CDATA[Personal injury compensation: when an existing injury is worsened]]>https://www.bowlesverna.com/?p=513792025-08-21T10:28:49Z2025-08-21T10:28:49ZCar accidents often cause injuries, but they can also exacerbate existing medical conditions. In California, the law allows a person to recover compensation if a crash aggravates a prior injury or illness. Having a condition before the crash does not stop someone from recovering damages. What matters is the harm that the accident has made worse
Here are some crucial points to remember.
The eggshell plaintiff rule
California follows the “eggshell plaintiff” rule. This means that the person responsible for an accident must take the injured person as they are. Even if someone is more fragile or prone to injury than the average person, they may still recover damages if a collision worsens their condition.However, compensation does not cover the original injury itself. It applies only to the worsening that resulted directly from the accident, such as new pain, additional treatment or increased disability.
What evidence must be shown?
The injured person must prove that the accident aggravated their condition. This often requires medical documentation that highlights the difference in health status before and after the crash. Useful forms of proof include:
Medical records from both time periods
Doctor’s reports describing changes in symptoms
Imaging scans showing physical differences
Records of new treatments, prescriptions, or therapies
This evidence helps separate the underlying condition from the harm caused by the crash.Insurance companies often argue that the symptoms existed before the accident. Without strong proof, they may deny the claim. Clear medical documentation is often the deciding factor. As this issue can be complex, it’s essential to seek legal guidance when making a claim. ]]>On Behalf of Bowles & Verna LLP<![CDATA[Traumatic brain injuries can occur in many ways]]>https://www.bowlesverna.com/?p=513522025-08-06T14:22:34Z2025-08-06T14:22:34ZCar crashes can lead to a variety of significant injuries, some of which involve the brain. These injuries can have long-term effects on the victim, so that means they may need lifelong medical care.
One of the first questions that comes up when this type of injury occurs is how it happened. While many people may assume that a traumatic brain injury occurs because of a direct hit to the head, that’s not necessarily the case. It’s possible that something else occurred.
Causes of traumatic brain injuries
Besides a hit to the head, one common cause of a traumatic brain injury is the head being flung around violently. In some cases, the impact of the crash causes the head to move quickly front to back or side to side. In both of these cases, the brain can slam against the skull, which can lead to damage on opposite sides of the brain.Another cause of a brain injury is when something goes through the skin and skull to enter the brain space. This is known as a penetrating injury, and it’s one that’s an emergency. It can lead to infections and significant damage to the brain tissue.Victims who suffer traumatic brain injuries in a motor vehicle crash often need considerable medical care, which can be costly. These individuals have to consider the immediate medical care expenses, as well as the long-term costs. They may opt to pursue a compensation claim to help offset these financial damages, but this must be done swiftly because of time limits set by law. It may be beneficial for those individuals to work with someone who understands these cases so they can provide assistance.]]>On Behalf of Bowles & Verna LLP<![CDATA[How to support your family after a toxic exposure tragedy]]>https://www.bowlesverna.com/?p=513432025-07-31T07:44:24Z2025-07-31T07:02:22ZWhat families can do after a death?
After a workplace contamination incident, families have the right to seek justice. In California, this often involves filing a wrongful death claim through workers’ compensation. In certain cases, you may also have the right to pursue legal action against employers, manufacturers or third-party contractors who played a role in the exposure.
Time is a critical factor. Insurance companies and large corporations may try to avoid responsibility. They often pressure families into accepting quick settlements or rely on the assumption that smaller law firms will not challenge them.
Financial steps to protect your household
Taking control of your family’s financial situation starts with practical actions. Here are immediate steps you can take to stabilize your household:
Gather important documents: Collect employment records, medical reports and the death certificate.
Apply for death benefits: File claims through workers’ compensation and life insurance policies.
Consult a wrongful death attorney: Consult an experienced attorney to assess your case and explain your legal options.
Create a household budget: Adjust the loss of income and plan for upcoming expenses.
Facing legal and financial challenges after a toxic exposure loss is difficult. Insurance companies and corporations may attempt to minimize their responsibility, making it important to have someone who can assert your family’s rights.
Consider consulting with an attorney to ease your legal burden, focus on your family and take meaningful steps toward securing your financial future.]]>