Category Archives: Legal News

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Court of Appeal Vacates $14M Verdict for Expert Disclosure Violation

Division Eight of the California Court of Appeal vacated a nearly $14 million jury verdict in a personal injury lawsuit involving a low-impact traffic accident after finding the trial court improperly allowed a late-disclosed expert to testify. The plaintiff disclosed a new spinal surgeon just seven court days before trial without seeking court permission or …

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Court of Appeal Clarifies CCP §473(b) Relief After an Uncontested Trial

Division Six of the California Court of Appeal recently clarified how Code of Civil Procedure §473(b) applies when a party fails to appear for trial. The court held that discretionary relief may be available, even after an uncontested trial, but the statute’s mandatory relief provision does not apply in that situation. The case arose after …

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Remote Car-Sharing Company Zipcar Not Responsible for Drunk Driver’s Crash

Tavares v. Zipcar Inc. (2026). A California appeals court ruled that a car-sharing company that lets members unlock cars remotely (using a phone or membership card) is not legally responsible when one of its members drives drunk and causes a crash. Tavares v. Zipcar Inc. (2026). The court said the company does not have a …

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A Requirement that the Insurance Company Consent to a C.C.P. §998 Offer Is Valid

A recent Court of Appeal decision underscores a reality seasoned litigators already understand: personal-injury law rewards precision, experience, and a deep command of procedural strategy. In a significant ruling, Division One of the Court of Appeal reversed a trial court’s denial of prejudgment interest to a prevailing personal-injury plaintiff, clarifying the proper application of Code …