Author: MichaelEhline

Frequently Asked Questions About Electrocution

Written by MichaelEhline on November 28, 2024. Posted in Burn Injury Blog.

Electrocution can occur due to any electrical shock, and depending on the amount of electrical voltage will determine the damage. Exposure to high-voltage electricity at a current of (1 A), a person can suffer permanent cell damage and burns. At lower levels of the draft (70 mA to 700 mA), individuals may experience fibrillation in the heart, which will generally require using a defibrillator to restart the heart muscle.

Everything You Need To Know About Getting Paid For Your Electrocution

Statistics And Data On Electrocution

The data and statistics that have been collected show that there are approximately 3,000 people admitted to burn centers annually, and there are about 1,000 electrocution fatalities every year. The data shows that toddlers and adolescents are the largest age group suffering a burn injury or fatality in electrocution incidences.

Certain factors will determine the amount of harm that is suffered during an electrocution accident:

The level of the voltage that is exposed to the individual.
The amount of time the contact with the current continues.
The location the electricity contacts the body and the path the electricity takes through the body.
Type of current.
Type of circuit.

Causes of Electrical Shocks or Electrocutions

Some types of electrical shock or electrocution result in damage to the cells, burns, and, in some cases, it can lead to death. These include:

Faulty electrical wiring.
Contact with an exposed electrical source, such as a defective product or wiring.
Defective products include microwaves, hair dryers, and other electrical items.
Contact between metal and electricity, such as a ladder contacting exposed electrical current at home or a construction site or an ungrounded tool contacting exposed wiring.
Accidental contact with power lines can occur during a car accident or construction site.
Unsafe industrial conditions.
Unsafe commercial kitchen equipment.
Electrical arc flashes from power lines.
Lightning.

Other Danger Zones

Home: When electrocution occurs in the house, it is generally due to unsafe products, such as malfunctioning appliances, medical devices, power tools, or even children’s products. Faulty repairs or installations can also result in the home’s electrocution dangers.
Workplace: If electrocution happens in the workplace when there are unsafe working conditions, defective machinery, or tools that malfunction in most situations.
At a Property: Electrocution incidents can occur at a property if the person visiting is exposed to hazards, dangerous electric wires, and other unexpected or unseen types of electricity.

Physical Reaction and Damage from Electrocution

When an individual suffers an electrocution or electrical shock accident, depending on the level of electricity and the location of the body contacted, it can determine the damages done to the person.

These can include:

Broken bones.
Headaches.
Numbness or tingling.
Weakness.
Unconsciousness.
Hearing loss.
Ruptured eardrums.
Loss of vision.
Memory loss.
Deformity where the contact occurred.
Severe burns.
Cardiac arrhythmia.
Heart fibrillation.
Cardiac arrest.
Permanent heart muscle damage.
Internal organ damage.
Nerve damage.
Neuropathy (nerve cells failing to function correctly).
Loss of cognitive abilities.
Brain damage.
Changes in personality or temperament.
Respiratory failure.
Spine injury.
Seizures.
Renal failure

Types of Organ Damage from Electrocution Injuries

In an electric shock injury or electrocution incident, there can be damage to the organs that include:

Integumentary System: If a person comes in contact with electricity, the skin and soft tissue are often damaged. They usually suffer severe burns, depending on how much current they come in contact with, and burns must have immediate medical attention.
Musculoskeletal System: During an electrocution incident, the victim is often thrown after a short period of having current going through their body. The injuries caused to the human body by having electric current going through it can cause damage or trauma to the organs and the muscles. This type of damage can result in rhabdomyolysis and kidney damage. The individual who has been harmed should be seen immediately by a trauma team.
Respiratory System: When an individual is electrocuted, the lungs are generally not damaged. This is because the lungs do not conduct electricity, nor do other body parts. However, this does not mean the person cannot suffer respiratory arrest. If the current passes through the chest, it causes a tightening of the muscles in the chest, which can result in respiratory arrest. Electricity passing through the part of the brain that controls breathing can also result in respiratory arrest.
Cardiovascular System: Electrocution can directly affect the heart in a way that, depending on the amount of electricity, can cause a fluttering of the ventricles, ventricular fibrillation, or a lack of cardiac rhythm. Each of these can result in death if the person does not receive immediate medical treatment.
Central Nervous System: When an individual is electrocuted, they can suffer head and spinal cord injuries, which are not necessarily due to the current going through the body. Instead, it is when they are thrown away from the source of the electric current, especially if they are thrown from a height, like being thrown from a ladder.

There can be ongoing complications after being electrocuted and having damage to the central nervous system, which can include:

Psychiatric issues like anxiety and depression.
Seizures.
Delayed spinal cord injuries.

Treatment of Electrocution Injury

The person who suffers this type of injury should have immediate medical attention, even if the harm is not extensive. Individuals who survive this harm may have a painful and lengthy recovery time. Medical attention is necessary immediately and for an ongoing amount of time, mainly if permanent damage to the body exists. Death from being shocked remains a real risk.

Parties Who Can be Responsible for Electrocution Injuries

When an individual, employer, or company is irresponsible in ensuring the safety of consumers, workers, or visitors, they can be held liable for their negligence if they suffer an electric shock or electrocution accident due to their actions or by not acting. Some laws ensure the victim or the family of a loved one is fatally electrocuted to protect their rights and hold the negligent party accountable.

These laws include:

Workers Compensation law.
Personal injury law and negligence.
Premises liability law.
Product liability law.

Suppose you or a loved one has been a victim of an electric shock or electrocution incident caused by the negligence of another. In that case, it remains essential to contact a personal injury attorney. Most of all, this is a legal advocate who can assist you in recovering compensation. Now, you can get paid for past and future medical expenses, loss of wages, permanent disability, and other damages.

The bottom line is that one must consult a qualified legal advocate with negotiation and litigation skills to obtain compensation in electrocution accidents. A superior lawyer does this when clients are overcome with the abovementioned incidents. Strength by your side means victory. If you want to learn more about how to use for electrocution on the job or elsewhere, call Ehline Law at (213) 596-9642. Feel free to use our website form too.

Is Smoke And Ash Inhalation A Form of Catastrophic Burn Injury?

Written by MichaelEhline on November 28, 2024. Posted in Burn Injury Blog.

Over the last decade, forest fires and guide-prescribed fires in California have exponentially grown. They have become fiercer and stronger simultaneously, causing burn injuries and smoke inhalation deaths everywhere. With nature’s contribution to the Santa Ana winds blowing, these wildfires have raged across the state, leaving structural destruction and vegetation devastation in their way.

It’s not only California but also the guide prescribed fires, pole creek fires, Southern forests fires, and more in Utah and other states that have affected the country. However, these wildfires have also caused chaos among residents. People evacuate their homes, leaving everything behind without knowing if they’ll ever see their property again.

Some are lucky, while others lose everything to the fire, from physical property damage to emotional trauma, losing their loved ones, and more. Breathing in these fires can harm humans, affecting their way of life.

Besides inhalation-related wildfires, there have been outbreaks of structural fires within the counties and cities of California. This causes severe pollution, affecting business owners, home renters, and other groups. If you’ve gotten hurt in a fire or are suffering breathing difficulties from smoke ash inhalation due to someone else’s negligence, immediately contact Ehline Law and our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers, as you might be eligible for compensation.

How Does Smoke and Ash Cause Smoke Inhalation Injuries?

The human body runs on many things, but oxygen is crucial. When we breathe oxygen, it enters our lungs, and from there, it makes its way to the bloodstream and into the red blood cells, where it is consumed for normal bodily functions.

However, when smoke inhalation occurs, carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide particles enter the lungs, replacing the oxygen particles in the red blood cells. This causes smoke inhalation injuries, affecting the respiratory system first and then making its way to the organs, mainly causing slow brain damage. Smoke ash inhalation can happen from wildfires, home fires, cigarette smoke, pollution, etc.

Smoke and ash inhalation often results in catastrophic burn injuries. Three types of damage occur when breathing in smoke and ash: temperature damage from the heat in the smoke, damage from harmful chemicals in the smoke, and damage from the ash settling in the respiratory tract, affecting the nasal passages, bronchi, alveoli, and more.

Symptoms of Smoke Inhalation Injuries

Unlike natural gas, which does not have any odor or color, it is difficult to detect. Thick clouds of smoke and ash are visible as fire ravages, making it easier for individuals to avoid. However, those stuck in places or waiting for fire services to get them out of a burning building are the ones who get smoke ash inhalation-related injuries.

Here are some smoke inhalation symptoms you can experience if you inhale too much smoke or ash:

Breathing difficulties
Coughing
Headache
Red eyes
Burning
Skin becomes burned
And more.

Before a hospital can start treating a smoke injury victim, it must evaluate the patient’s condition. The patient must undergo specific tests, such as a chest CT scan, complete blood count, and pulmonary functioning testing.

Medical treatment for smoke inhalation victims is often complicated and requires considerable recovery before the patient restores their breathing to acceptable levels and returns to their life. Treatments are expensive, and the financial loss from smoke injuries and social loss due to post-traumatic stress disorder is high, which can affect your life further if you’re paying from your pocket.

Smoke and ash inhalation often come with catastrophic burn injuries to children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory problems like asthma.

Can You Get Burn Injuries from Breathing Smoke Ash?

When a victim experiences catastrophic burn injuries, they also end up having inhalation injuries as these come together. More than 500 wildfires have happened in California, and the level of destruction they caused has been undeniable, with many homes and properties destroyed while some were injured and a few lost their lives to it.

The fast-blowing winds in the state do not help but further worsen it as it increases the spread rate, not giving enough time for residents to evacuate with their belongings or livestock. Property owners who try to safeguard their property or livestock before evacuating often underestimate the rate of the fire receiving burn injuries in the process. Those running through excessive heat to evacuate and avoid the fire end up breathing smoke ash and suffering a catastrophic burn injury.

Even after evacuation alerts get issued, some residents refuse to leave their homes and property behind, willing to accept the consequences of the wildfire and damage caused by smoke inhalation.

National Fire Protection Association Fire Statistics

In 2019, the United States saw more than 1.3 million fires, causing over 3,700 deaths, and 16,000 got burn injuries affecting their respiratory health. It was also reported that the state fires caused more than $14.8 billion in damages. More than 70% of the injuries and deaths resulted from home fires, suggesting that the surviving victims might be undergoing smoke and ash injuries besides the catastrophic burn injuries due to breathing smoke ash flaming hot. The resulting respiratory distress from heat and toxic chemicals can cause more than just chemical irritation; it can kill. (Can convert to sulfur dioxide and even hydrogen cyanide, causing lung disease and chemical asphyxiation).

Those victims with worse respiratory system conditions are the ones that are sleeping when the fire breaks, giving them less time to react and get to safety from the smoke produced. This is why Federal government agencies and local state laws are creating awareness about installing smoke detectors. The idea is to provide more respiratory protection by giving enough warning time to sleeping residents, minimizing the damage.

Contact Ehline Law for Legal Advice

We are expert Los Angeles smoke inhalation injury lawyers. Our injury law firm and attentive, caring staff are ready to offer you free legal advice over the phone. You shouldn’t be the one to shoulder the financial burden from inhalation injuries, and our lawyers are here to help determine claims, file a lawsuit and get you the compensation you need to pay for the medical bills. We understand injuries can put a victim in a dark place. But our lawyers have the right experience to get your life back on track.

Contact us for more information about forming an attorney-client relationship so you can seek compensation before the expiration of the statute of limitations. If you’ve got a smoke inhalation injury and it was not your fault, contact us at (213) 596-9642.

Citations:

https://ameriburn.org/who-we-are/media/burn-incidence-fact-sheet

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/US-Fire-Problem/Fire-loss-in-the-United-States

Wrongful Death Examples Wrongful Death Examples

Can Grandparents Sue for the Death of Their Grandchild or for Visitations?

Written by MichaelEhline on November 28, 2024. Posted in Death Law Blog, Insurance Law Blog.

Unless an Exception Applies, Grandparents Can’t Automatically Sue

The answer is it “depends.” Grandparents generally do not have the right to sue for wrongful death unless an exception applies, depending on state laws where the child lived.

Let’s look at the law. Although parents share a special bond with their children, grandparents, and grandchildren, they share a meaningful relationship, too. Losing your grandchild can be heartbreaking, but to know that they died due to another’s negligence or reckless actions can be emotionally traumatic.

In such situations, no amount of money could help replace the loss of your loved one, but filing a wrongful death claim against the responsible party can help ease the financial burden arising from someone’s death. Proving a wrongful death claim can be challenging, but with an experienced law firm, you can increase your chances of securing compensation.

Ehline Law and our child wrongful death attorneys have over a decade of experience handling personal injury and wrongful death cases across California. We have recovered over $150 million in compensation/settlements for our clients. We are in the business of ensuring you obtain justice.

Losing your grandchild to another person’s negligence can be devastating at such an age, especially if you’re financially dependent on the grandchild. You may be eligible for compensation if you’ve lost your grandchild to someone else’s negligence. Contact us for a free consultation and learn more about your rights as a grandparent.

Grandparents Are Often Unaware of Their Rights

Many believe that the right to sue for wrongful death claims only lies with the immediate family members, such as spouses or children, which is why many grandparents decide not to pursue legal action when they lose their grandchildren. However, that is not always the case, as, under certain circumstances, grandparents can sue the negligent party for the death of their grandchild.

Grandparents also have the right to sue for visitation rights if they believe it is in their grandchild’s best interest. Let’s quickly go over grandparent visitation rights before heading to whether or not they can sue for the wrongful death of their grandchild.

Suing Party for Grandparent Visitation Rights

A grandparent may file a lawsuit for visitation rights if:

After the death or divorce of one parent, the other may not allow the grandparent to visit their grandchild.
The visitation is in the best interest of the child. Under California Family Code section 3100, grandparents may receive reasonable visitation rights if either child’s parents are deceased.
The grandparent maintained a relationship with the child before their parents cut them off.

If you’re wondering how grandparents can sue for visitation rights, here are the key steps:

Gather evidence of attempts to maintain a relationship with the child and proof of visitation violations being de facto terminated.
Send the child’s parents a demand letter mentioning all the necessary details and the date you will pursue a visitation rights lawsuit if they don’t reply.
Once the demand letter deadline passes, you must request small claims court for appropriate forms and fill them out accordingly.
You can serve the child’s parents with notice of your visitation rights lawsuit or send a police officer or district clerk to help you.
Prepare your case so you’re ready to present facts before the judge, or reach out to a skilled attorney to represent you so you are not denied visitation.

Grandparents must go through a list of stipulations before being granted visitation. Depending on certain factors, the court will decide whether to allow or deny visitation rights. However, unless there is a legal adoption, grandparents seeking visitation rights cannot sue for the wrongful death of the child they wish to visit unless there is some other exception.

Some of these factors that determine grandparent visitation include:

Whether or not the biological, custodial parent is an unfit parent with zero parental rights
Whether the grandparent is fit to take care of the grandchild and appointed to do so
Is the child’s parent legally incompetent?
Is the grandparent the parent of the deceased parent of the living child?
Whether the grandparent got denied visitation rights by the grandparent’s child in custody, etc.

If you’re looking to sue for visitation to receive grandparent visitation rights, you need an attorney experienced in family law to help fight for your rights.

We’ve discussed grandparent visitation rights, but what if your grandchild died due to another person’s negligence? Can grandparents sue, then?

Can Grandparents Sue for the Death of Their Grandchild?

In California, several people can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party. However, specific individuals have priority over others.

Let’s look at the following groups of people eligible as plaintiffs, listed in order of priority.

Surviving Spouse

The deceased’s surviving spouse or registered domestic partner has the first right to file wrongful death claims. However, the court may deny that right if it believes the surviving spouse is not legally competent. The surviving spouse can also waive their right of priority if they wish.

Surviving Children

The deceased’s surviving children (biological, adopted, or stepchildren) can pursue the lawsuit if there is no surviving spouse. The court will assign a guardian to file the claim if the surviving children are minors. Grandchildren also have the right to pursue claims if the deceased’s children are also dead.

Dependent Minors

Minors who are not legal children of the deceased may file a lawsuit if they lived with the deceased for at least six months or 180 days. Minors are only eligible if they depend on the deceased, who provided at least half their financial support.

Surviving Parent

If the deceased offspring remained unmarried without children before death, the right to pursue a claim is passed down to the parents. If the parents can prove their dependency on the deceased, and it was their child, they may also have the right to bring a claim.

Other Heirs

California intestate succession laws kick in when the deceased has no surviving family members. In such cases, individuals eligible for inheritance may claim against the responsible party.

These include (arranged in order of priority) parents (regardless of dependency), siblings or children of departed siblings, and grandparents.

Next of Kin

There may be situations where none of the deceased’s relatives are entitled to their property. In such cases, the next of kin has the right to file a lawsuit.

Deceased’s Estate’s Representative

At times, more than one plaintiff can be eligible for filing a lawsuit, and representing multiple plaintiffs can be difficult for an attorney to handle. If that happens, claimants can come together and decide whether they want the single personal representative of the deceased’s estate to file a lawsuit on everyone’s behalf.

California wrongful death statute will split the award/settlement accordingly, helping simplify the case. The surviving spouse or children come first, followed by surviving parents, grandparents, siblings, nieces, and nephews.

In many cases, grandparents are one of the last groups of people who can file wrongful death claims or receive damages from one. When grandparents lose their child or their child is incompetent, many grandparents seek to rear their grandkids.

In exceptional circumstances, grandparents may have been awarded custody of grandchildren after a parent dies. Also, when a surviving parent is absent or uninvolved in rearing the child, the courts may consider grandparents the next of kin since they provide child care. So, a grandparent raising a grandchild may be able to file a claim and recover damages as a parent. Contact an experienced attorney today at (213) 596-9642 to learn more about grandparents, rights and blood relative claims.

Recoverable Damages in Wrongful Death Claims

The recoverable damages you can sue for in wrongful death claims include medical expenses before death, funeral and burial expenses, lost wages and health insurance coverage, pension plans, loss of gifts/inheritance, and surviving family members’ pain and suffering.

Some states allow punitive damages, but in California, you can only claim punitive damages if you lose your loved one to felony homicide by the defendant and prove it. Taking legal action will usually require a guide who understands this critical information and the conditions when more than just love comes into play to improve and change the trajectory of these legal disputes. These people are called “wrongful death attorneys.”

Typically, California does not allow damages for pain, suffering, or mental anguish in wrongful death claims but has recently temporarily allowed it until January 1, 2026.

To recover all the recoverable damages, you must prove the above-mentioned specific losses, which can be challenging. A skilled wrongful death attorney can help those suing to establish economic losses and obtain maximum compensation. This is the case for your loss of life claim in most states governed under American common law principles.

Is There a Time Limit for a Wrongful Death Claim?

If you wish to file a claim over the loss of the deceased party, you must take immediate action as there is not much time. Under the California statute of limitations, a plaintiff must file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years following the deceased’s death or lose the right to do so. A lawyer will be vital in your case to access the courts and be able to speak lease with other lawyers defending the defendant who killed the victim.

For deaths arising from medical malpractice, plaintiffs have three years following the date of the malpractice. However, certain circumstances shorten the filing date. If a government entity is responsible for the loss of your grandchild, you only have six months from the date of death to bring a claim.

If you have already lost your grandchild due to another’s negligence, the clock is ticking, and you may lose the right to pursue legal action against the responsible party if you don’t act quickly. Contact our California wrongful death attorneys to help you with your case.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law

If you’re a grandparent looking to file a wrongful death claim against the negligent party, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation on your case. Our California wrongful death attorneys have the experience and knowledge you need to stand against the responsible party and hold them accountable for your loss.

Here are some of the historic wrongful death victories we secured for our clients:

Widow v. Insurance Company – $4.2 million
Ducket v. Ridgecrest Regional Hospital – $2.02 million
Hier v. State of California (Caltrans) – $2 million
Cosham v. City and County of Los Angeles – $1.9 million
Clare v. Estate of Clare – $1.22 million
Doe v. Automaker – $1.05 million
Rodriguez et al. v. Osterkamp Farms – $1.037 million
Distler v. Redondo Beach Unified School District – $1 million.

At Ehline Law, we foster a solid attorney-client relationship by updating our clients at every step. We understand that a grandparent-grandchild relationship is unique. A law firm like Ehline Law focuses on winning and maintaining a positive attorney-client relationship, which is crucial to your wrongful death case.

Immediately contact us to learn more about filing wrongful death claims, or visit our law offices across California for a free case review. We will help you understand your rights as a grandparent and the legal options to help you make an informed decision.

Amazon Faces Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination Under Civil Rights Act

Written by MichaelEhline on November 26, 2024. Posted in Workers Compensation Blog.

Is Amazon Too White?

Amazon Faces Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination Under Civil Rights Act

Ultimate Guide to Understanding the Hate Against Amazon

On July 20, 2022, a woman filed a lawsuit in the Eastern District Court of Texas against Amazon for unlawful racial discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 after mainly hiring white managers who allegedly discriminated. Let’s explore the news details: “Amazon faces a lawsuit alleging discrimination” with Ehline Law and our injury attorneys.

Amazon Offering Diversity Grant to Minorities

The online retailer Amazon launched its “diversity” grant, a financial incentive to reduce barriers to entry for Black, Latino, and Native American entrepreneurs. The program aims to help minorities start their own businesses and become Amazon delivery service partners by providing them with a $10,000 grant.

Class Action Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination Filed Against Amazon in 2021

With the help of the most prominent appellate lawyers, a woman, Crystal Bolduc, they filed a class action lawsuit against the online retail giant on July 20, 2022. The lawsuit alleged patently unlawful racial discrimination. The lawsuit states that the Amazon diversity grant discriminates against white and Asian Americans as the grant is only aimed at Black, Latino, and Native Americans. According to the lawsuit, white and Asian Americans do not receive such stipends, meaning they have to bear the entire cost of starting their businesses, while minorities receive financial assistance.

“Black Business Accelerator” Is Another Program Resulting in Unlawful Racial Discrimination, Lawsuit Says

The lawsuit sheds light on another example of unlawful racial discrimination practiced by Amazon. Although it is not part of the lawsuit, it does mention that the “Black Business Accelerator” program provides Black-owned businesses a $500 line of credit.

The Lawsuit States, “Buldoc Has Suffered Unlawful Racial Discrimination”

Amazon can distribute and deliver packages to its patrons by entering into contracts with delivery service partners. The diversity grant provided by Amazon (under the commitment to diversity section on their website) commits to $1 million toward funding startup costs. The gift is only for Black, Latino, and Native American entrepreneurs, helping reduce barriers to entry for minorities.

The company does not provide any financial assistance for whites and Asian Americans. Since June 2021, Amazon has also operated “Black Business Accelerator,” another program offering a line of credit for Black-owned businesses.

The program also gives them the following:

Advertising credits to help them increase their exposure
Free imaging services for up to 50 products to help them showcase their products
Cash grant opportunities for selected sellers
Business coaching and mentorship to impart skills.

Previous Lawsuits Against Amazon Alleging Discrimination

Advertising Policy Discrimination Lawsuit in October

It’s not been a great year for Amazon, as this is its second lawsuit in a year. Jonathan Correll sued the online retailer in October 2021 with a reverse discrimination complaint.

The lawsuit stated that Amazon provides preferential advertising to minorities while white sellers do not receive such assistance. Amazon has asked the California District Court to dismiss the case, arguing that the seller has no grounds to challenge the company’s advertising policies, as Correll is not an Amazon seller.

The lawsuit is ongoing.

Fired Amazon’s Worker Lawsuit Dismissed

On February 7, 2022, a federal judge spoke in favor of Amazon by dismissing a fired Amazon’s workplace organizer, Christian Smalls, a lawsuit for workplace discrimination.

Smalls alleged Amazon subjected non-white employees to inferior work conditions relative to its primarily white managers. The lawsuit stated that the tech giant did not provide protective gear for COVID-19 to its Black, Brown, and immigrant warehouse workers.

According to Amazon, the online retailer terminated smalls for protesting at its warehouse in New York City’s Staten Island despite receiving a paid quarantine leave.

Amazon Hit with 5 Lawsuits in 2021

In March 2021, the National Labor Relations Board accused the online retailer of firing multiple Amazon employees illegally for protesting against the company’s discriminatory policies. The accusations came after Amazon’s internal data revealed that the company disproportionately hires and promotes black employees to white counterparts.

The five sexual harassment lawsuits against Amazon accused managers and HR employees of racial, ethnic, and gender discrimination. It also alleges systemic bias, claiming that the company routinely protected its “abusive managers.”

The attorneys representing these five lawsuits stated that Amazon could no longer dismiss abusive behavior by white managers as anecdotes. They also said that the human resources organization treats employees’ raising concerns as a problem. Amazon faces deeply entrenched systemic issues and needs to promote a more inclusive culture.

In response to all the lawsuits, an Amazon spokesperson told Business Insider that the company does not tolerate discrimination and that this shot across the bow will raise concerns. Employees are encouraged to voice their complaints through an anonymous ethics hotline or any organization member without fearing retaliation.

In the months since employees pushed for an organizing campaign for warehouse workers, the “Amazon Labor Union“ has demanded “safer conditions, higher wages, and job security.”

Are You a Victim of Workplace Discrimination? Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law

Several federal laws protect employees from workplace discrimination, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Even with these laws, corporations and individuals use their power and influence to harass or strip individuals of their civil rights.

Organizations like Amazon have lawyers to challenge any lawsuit that comes their way. It may be difficult to stand alone against large corporations and their legal teams, so you need a skilled attorney to represent you and fight your legal battles.

Our attorneys have over a decade of experience protecting the rights of victims of civil rights discrimination and workplace harassment in California. Contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free case review with our legal experts.

Average Dog Bite Settlement Average Dog Bite Settlement

Your Legal Options Against Dog Breed Bans | ehlinelaw.com

Written by MichaelEhline on November 26, 2024. Posted in Dog Bite Blog.

Is Banning Dog Breeds a Form of Legalized Discrimination?

Yes, but perhaps not in a civil rights sense. However, there is legal discrimination regarding the dogs you can own. It is practiced in many U.S. cities and counties. Unfortunately, many locales decide to censor certain dog breeds. In some cases, the towns even outright ban the types of dogs.

Dog bites are a severe problem in the United States. To combat such a problem, breed-specific regulations ban certain dog breeds. Let’s explore your legal options against dog breed bans with Ehline Law, and our dog bite personal injury attorneys.

So, the top dogs on the anti-dog list are dogs generally considered more aggressive. However, often, the issue is not the breed but the owner. Poor training and treatment are more likely to cause injuries than the dog’s lineage or birth parents.

States and Insurance Companies Ban Certain Dogs

It’s unimaginable to think that bureaucrats tell you what kind of dog you can own. But they do! Most states, including California, New York, and Texas, support laws that identify and control dangerous dogs regardless of breed.

However, 31 states and more than 1,000 cities across the United States have enacted breed-specific legislation (BSL), which prohibits dog owners from owning certain breeds, including Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, Dobermans, and German Shepherds. Kentucky, for example, has 30 cities that have banned or restricted certain breeds, including pit bulls and rottweilers.

Many insurance companies have a breed ban list that could affect your homeowner’s insurance coverage if you bring a dog restricted in their policy.

There is no solid evidence to prove that BSL helps make communities safer. The CDC strongly opposes BSL in an oft-cited study of fatal dog attacks. One of the primary reasons for their recommendation against BSL is the lack of dog bite data, including mixed-breed dogs, and the differences between visual and DNA determination of the dog breed.

A 2014 national survey by Best Friends Animal Society found that 84% of Americans believe that the government (state or federal) should not intervene in their rights to own whatever breed they want. The results of a 2020 study, “A look at the incidence and risk factors for bites in unincorporated Harris County, Texas,” showed a strong correlation between dog attacks and stray dogs.

Many studies by the National Canine Research Council reveal other factors that increase the likelihood of bites than the breed, including lack of training, socialization, and more. American Veterinary Medical Association and other organizations repeal breed-specific laws based on old studies and fake news.

Perhaps. The New York Daily News reported that the shame of banning certain dog breeds continued into New York City politics. The city’s housing authority banned Pit bulls, Dobermans, and Rottweilers from public housing. Further research shows that dog bans are common nationwide.

Certain states are more likely to ban different breeds, especially locally. Statistics show it is widespread in many forms, especially in the South and Midwest. Kentucky has 31 breed bans, including 11 cities that ban pit bulls. In Louisiana, six towns do the same.

Many types of dogs in Michigan are potentially banned, including the Akita, Alaskan malamute, pit bull terrier, and more. Overall, 36 cities in that state ban or restrict dog breed types. The same goes for 40 cities in Arkansas. Forty-six cities do the same in Mississippi, including two towns that ban Shar-Peis. Wisconsin bans types of dogs in 62 cities, including one that excludes wolf hybrids.

Breed Bans Nationwide

An incredible 89 cities do the same in Missouri, including Pilot Grove, which bans six breeds. In Ohio, this is the case in 90 cities, including 55 that restrict pit bulls. Kansas does the same with 90 cities, including 77 outright bans on breeds, especially pit bulls. Iowa, with 91 cities with restrictions, is leading the nation in banning breeds.

The City of Fairfield bans pit bulls, German shepherds, Rottweilers, and any dog weighing over 100 pounds. These dog bans are likely unconstitutional and place an undue burden on the dog and the dog owner.

Breed-specific Legislation Doesn’t Achieve the Goals and Costs the Taxpayers

Breed-neutral dog laws are the way to move forward. Laws should encourage responsible pet ownership instead of banning specific dog breeds such as Pit Bull Terrier, Chow Chows, and others. To make communities safer, the laws should hold negligent owners accountable for the actions of their dangerous pet dogs. A dog owner should be held responsible for purchasing a “dangerous dog” and not training it properly.

Enacting breed-specific legislation, especially a Pit Bull ban, across the United States is a costly and inconclusive experiment. So far, breed bans have failed to ensure public safety and violate the Constitution’s due process clause. Banned breeds also violate specific legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you or your family faced discrimination due to your dog breed– especially if it was not involved in an attack, contact the Ehline Law Firm Personal Injury Attorneys, APLC, today to discuss your legal options. If you’re facing dog breed discrimination, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation on your case. Call us for a free consultation 24/7.