Robin D. from San Francisco asks “I understand that marijuana (cannabis) will become legal in 2018. Some friends and I are thinking of starting a retail cannabis store. We currently own a liquor store and want to know about the new laws, so we don’t get busted for illegal distribution.”
This week’s question comes from Harriette in Marin: “I entered therapy about 5 years ago to deal with some issues involving sexual abuse as a minor. I had struggled with relationships and self esteem for years. I wanted to heal and move forward with my life to establish safe, healthy relationships. My therapist was a man who works with a large healthcare provider. He said it would be good for my process to work with a man, as that is where my trauma lay, abused by a relative who was a man. After a year my therapist and I became intimate.
First it was in the office during sessions, then it progressed to meetings outside including my home. He was married but said he would leave his wife. I thought this was good for me, I felt loved by a man who was stable. I became pregnant and am having his baby. My best friend pressured me for the name of the father.
I resisted. Then he stated that he could not be my therapist anymore and questioned my fidelity accusing me of sleeping with someone else. I was crushed. My baby will be born in two months. My friend says I need a lawyer. Am I at fault? He didn’t rape me, I guess I consented, but I feel foolish and betrayed.”
Mike B asks “What happens if during a personal injury or medical malpractice case, the plaintiff succumbs to their injuries and dies? Does it cause a new action to be filed or simply the old one to be amended? And more importantly does it affect the damages that can be recovered?”
Mike, there are many variables to this complex question, and I can only provide a general overview in response. It is not legal advice. More facts are needed. If you have suffered a loss such as this, you should consult with a trial lawyer immediately.
This week’s question comes from Lionel T. from South San Francisco who writes:
“I went shopping at a major retailer in a mall with a friend of mine. We are young and he was being uncool and he took a cheap piece of jewelry for his girl and didn’t pay for it. He walked out and the alarms went off. He took off and security chased him while another one grabbed me in front of some nearby classmates. I hadn’t done anything. I told them to let me go and they told me to come with them and led me into a back room and told me to empty my pockets. I did, and I didn’t have anything stolen on me. They then told me to call my friend and get him to come back. I said no. They told me that they would call the police and tell them that I stole something.
I said I didn’t do anything and let me go. They said no and I walked to the door and a guard stepped between me and the door. After a while they called the store manager who came in. I explained that I had nothing to do with any theft and he told the guards to let me go. I feel they did me wrong. Do I have a case?”
Kim M. from Pacific Heights asks: “I want to get my daughter a gift card for the holiday, but I have heard that they have fees and expiration dates that can result in the card losing most or all its value. What is the law regarding these gift cards?”
Gift cards can be good for the retailer and the receiver. The receiver can take advantage of the after-Christmas sales to get more for his or her money, and the retailers get cash upfront without reducing inventory. These cards used to be more of a benefit for retailers, but the California Legislature, in combination with certain consumer-rights groups, has enacted legislation designed to protect consumers.
This week’s question comes from Sharon H in Santa Rosa: “I am in the midst of a job search and I’m often asked for a salary history. As a woman, I feel uncomfortable with this question, as it seems to place me at an immediate disadvantage when negotiating my salary, especially in competing with male candidates. Are potential employers allowed to ask me that?”
This week’s article is the second in my series on current and proposed regulation for autonomous and robot vehicles (AV). As I outlined last week, several agencies are moving forward with regulations — or in the case of the Federal Government, guidelines — designed to deal with this emerging technology, which is moving faster than the ability to regulate it. Let’s look at why this is so dangerous.
San Francisco, Ca ( November 11th 2017) – Teresa Gonzales, a South San Francisco resident was killed late Saturday night while crossing the street near the 200 block of El Camino Real. According to police reports, Ms. Gonzales was found lying unconscious in the street. Paramedics transported her to San Francisco General hospital, unfortunately she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
This week’s column covers recent developments in laws and regulations concerning automated vehicles, which you may know as “driverless cars” or “robot cars.”
The area of Automated Vehicle (AV) law and regulation is rapidly evolving. It is a complex process which involves elected legislative bodies, regulatory bodies, and vehicle manufacturers. There are countless human lives and billions, if not trillions, of dollars at stake as this technology develops and these vehicles enter our transportation infrastructure.
This week’s question comes from Debbie D in the Castro who asks: “With all the hate coming out of Washington and the federal government trying to push back LGBTQ rights I heard that California is moving in the other direction. I’m glad I live in California. What is our State Government doing for us?”