How The Initiative Process Works In San Francisco

Dolan Law Firm
 posted in 
Policy
 on 
April 19, 2018

This week’s question comes from PZ who asks: “Hi, I discovered that the City of SF has deliberately put the public health at risk for quite some time. I would like to put something on the City of SF ballot placing restrictions on the City’s actions. I have never put anything on a ballot before. I have the following questions: 1) Can anyone, SF resident or not, get something on the ballot in SF; 2) how would I get started on this matter; 3) is there any agency or group of people that can help me?”

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What Happens When Someone Dies Without A Will?

Dolan Law Firm
 posted in 
Privacy
 on 
April 12, 2018

This week’s question comes from Nathan P. from San Carlos who asks: “My wife died suddenly. We were separated at the time of her death but hadn’t filed any kind of papers. We were just taking some time to figure out where we were at and where we were going after 20 years of being married. We had two children, aged 10 and 14. My 14-year-old son died in the same accident. I always told my wife that she needed to draft a will, but she believed doing so could invite death, so she has no will. Her mother is angry with me for our separation and is stating that she should get all her assets and the value of her share of our home which we owned jointly. What happens when someone dies without a will?”

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Who Is Liable For Injuries Caused By A Defective Product

Dolan Law Firm
 posted in 
Product Liability
 on 
March 29, 2018

Today’s question comes from Robert W. in Pinole who asks “I bought a [name of brand deleted] bike recently and when I was using it the front fork cracked, broke, and sent me over the handlebars where I landed on my head and shoulder. Thank God I was wearing a helmet. My head is OK, but I broke my shoulder. My research shows that the bike frame was probably made in China. I bought the bike at a local store, not a chain, they said they would refund me my money or give me a replacement frame. When I asked if they would pay my medical bills they told me that they are not responsible, and I need to go after the manufacturer in China. How do I do that?”

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Uber Robo-Car Fatality Illustrates The Dangers Of Weak Regulations On Autonomous Vehicles

Dolan Law Firm
 posted in 
Uber/Lyft Accidents
 on 
March 22, 2018

On March 18, 2018, in Tempe Arizona, a woman pushing her bike across the road at the intersection of Mill Avenue and Curry Road was struck and killed by an Uber self-driving vehicle in autonomous mode, marking a milestone in the Autonomous Vehicle revolution: the first human killed by a robo-car.  Early reports state that the pedestrian was outside of the crosswalk at the time of the fatal collision.

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Who Is Responsible If Your Hit By A Ball During A Game

Dolan Law Firm
 posted in 
Personal Injury
 on 
March 16, 2018

It’s baseball season again and, therefore, that time of year for me to remind readers of an important legal issue relating to their enjoyment of baseball namely, “who is responsible if someone gets hit with a line drive, foul ball and/or broken bat while watching a game?” As a lawyer, and a big Giants fan, I like to start off the season by saying, put down your cell phone and “keep your eye on the ball” during play. A distraction can lead to serious and even life threatening injury.

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California Gun Laws Prohibit Access To Convicted Felons

Dolan Law Firm
 posted in 
Civil Rights
 on 
March 12, 2018

This week’s question comes from Anonymous in the East Bay who asks: “I read your article last week on guns and crazy neighbors while riding home on BART. It got me to thinking: I know some shifty dudes who have a lot of guns.  Some of them are felons and some have restraining orders out on them for domestic violence. They have some heavy pieces including AK 47’s and other assault weapons, machine pistols and silencers. I’ve also seen some bullet proof vests. They deal a lot of drugs and use the guns to “protect their interests.” Isn’t there some restriction on criminals owning guns? Can people still buy AK’s in California? What about body armor?”

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Lactation Guidelines In The Workplace Explained

Dolan Law Firm
 posted in 
Employment Law
 on 
March 1, 2018

Ana from San Francisco writes: I am ending my maternity leave next week. I would like to send an e-mail to my manager to ask about my employer’s policy on lactation breaks and request a private room where I can express milk for my baby. However, I am worried that I may be asking for too much since the company is small (only 25 employees in my office but approximately 75 in the Bay Area) and I already took a lot of time off after giving birth for my recovery and for baby bonding. I do not have my own office and I do not want to pump in a bathroom stall, as I am worried that it would be unsanitary. I heard San Francisco has extra protections for nursing mothers. What are my rights?

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California’s Gun Regulations Explained

Dolan Law Firm
 posted in 
Civil Rights
 on 
February 22, 2018

Today’s question comes from Priscilla in Hayes Valley who asks “As I would hope everybody else would be, I am outraged, sickened and angry with the senseless gun violence that we saw, AGAIN, in Florida when 17 people were senselessly gunned down by a man who was, apparently, suffering from mental illness. How can such a person get access to a gun? Is there law which limits access of crazy people to weapons? A member of my family is a gun nut and has a bi-polar disorder. He has a lot of guns and has made statements about “going postal” and “shooting up the town.” I am afraid of him going off and hurting someone. Please let me know what someone can do when they think that there is a time-bomb ticking away like this.”

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Falling Debris: Negligence In Construction Zones

Dolan Law Firm
 posted in 
Premises Liability
 on 
February 15, 2018

This week’s question comes from Dawn E. in the Mission District who asks: “I live on 23rd Street near the construction site where two pedestrians were injured when materials were blown off the job site and onto them as they were walking by on the sidewalk. It is unfathomable that this could happen. What is the law on a situation like this?”

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