Tenant & Habitability
Holding negligent landlords accountable
Every California residential lease includes an implied warranty of habitability. When a landlord fails to make repairs after notice, tenants may be entitled to a rent refund, compensation for health effects and damaged property, and in some cases statutory penalties and attorney's fees.
Civil Code § 1941.1 sets the minimum standards for a livable unit: effective weatherproofing, working plumbing and gas, hot and cold running water, heat, safe electrical wiring, clean premises free of rodents and vermin, adequate trash receptacles, sound floors and stairs, and working locks. A lease cannot waive these protections.
- Rent abatement for the months conditions were substandard
- Negligence and nuisance claims for harm to health and property
- Statutory damages under Civil Code § 1942.4 when citations go unrepaired
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Rats and mice contaminate food, chew through wiring and spread disease through droppings and urine. Landlords must seal the gaps and holes rodents use to get in, remove nests and droppings, and hire professional pest control until the problem is gone.
- Rats and mice in walls, ceilings, kitchens and storage areas
- Droppings, gnawed food and chewed wiring
- Repeat infestations because entry points are never sealed
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Cockroaches can carry salmonella and E. coli and trigger asthma. Bed bugs cause bites, sleepless nights and ruined furniture. Ant infestations spoil food and spread through kitchens and walls. Landlords must provide professional extermination, often building-wide, not a can of spray.
- Bed bugs, cockroaches and ant infestations
- Repeat infestations after inadequate treatment
- Replacement of furniture, bedding and clothing
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Roof leaks, broken pipes and poor ventilation lead to black mold and other molds that can cause respiratory illness, allergies and headaches. We work with inspectors to document moisture and mold, and with doctors to connect conditions to your symptoms.
- Visible mold, chronic dampness and musty odors
- Flooding and burst water lines
- Damaged walls, ceilings and belongings
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Lead & Carbon Monoxide
Peeling paint in buildings constructed before 1978 can poison young children, causing lasting developmental harm. Faulty heaters, blocked vents and missing detectors can expose a household to carbon monoxide. These are serious injury cases, and we pursue full compensation for present and future care.
- Elevated blood-lead levels in children
- Carbon monoxide exposure and poisoning
- Missing or non-working CO and smoke detectors
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Building-Wide & Slumlord Cases
When a whole building is neglected, neighbors can join together in one case. Group cases share the cost of experts, strengthen the evidence, and give tenants more leverage to win compensation and force repairs.
- Multiple units with the same conditions
- Owners with a history of code violations
- Coordinated inspections and expert reports
Ask about a building case →
Civil Code § 1942.5 makes it illegal for a landlord to retaliate against a tenant for complaining about conditions. If a tenant who is current on rent complains about conditions in good faith, the landlord may not evict, raise the rent or reduce services within 180 days because of it. We defend unlawful detainer cases and bring retaliation claims.
- Unlawful detainer (eviction) defense
- Retaliatory rent increases and notices
- Harassment, lockouts and utility shut-offs
Got a notice? Contact us →
Lease & Landlord Disputes
Security deposits withheld without an itemized statement, illegal entry, and lease terms that violate California law. We help tenants enforce their rights and recover what they are owed.
- Security deposit disputes
- Illegal entry and privacy violations
- Unlawful lease terms and fees
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Personal Injury
Representing people hurt by someone else's carelessness
After an injury, insurance companies move fast to limit what they pay. We step in early, preserve the evidence, and pursue compensation for medical care, lost income, property damage and pain and suffering. Most California injury claims must be filed within two years, and claims against a government agency require a written claim within six months.
Property owners and managers must keep their property reasonably safe for residents and visitors. When they ignore hazards, they can be responsible for the injuries that follow.
- Slips and falls on wet floors, debris or uneven surfaces
- Broken stairs, railings and balconies
- Poor lighting and negligent security
- Dog bites on rental and commercial property
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Distracted, speeding and drunk drivers cause thousands of collisions on California roads every year. We investigate the crash, deal with the insurers, and pursue full compensation.
- Rear-end, intersection and freeway collisions
- Medical bills, future care and lost wages
- Vehicle damage, pain and suffering
Talk to us about your accident →
Bicycle Accidents
Cyclists have little protection in a crash. California requires drivers to give at least three feet when passing a bicycle (Vehicle Code § 21760). We handle dooring, right-hook and unsafe-passing collisions, and claims involving dangerous road conditions.
- Collisions with cars, buses and delivery vehicles
- Potholes and defective bike lanes
- Hit-and-run claims
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Big rigs and commercial vehicles cause catastrophic injuries. Several parties may share responsibility, including the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader and maintenance contractors. We act quickly to preserve logbooks, maintenance records and electronic data.
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
- Overloaded or poorly maintained trucks
- Catastrophic injury and wrongful-death claims
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Uber and Lyft crashes involve layered insurance policies that depend on what the driver's app was doing: offline, waiting for a ride request, or on an accepted trip. From the moment a trip is accepted until the passenger gets out, California requires $1 million in liability coverage. When the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may pay. We sort out the coverage and pursue every available policy.
- Passengers, drivers and pedestrians in rideshare crashes
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
- Hit-and-run collisions
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Under Civil Code § 3342, a dog's owner is strictly liable when the dog bites someone in a public place or someone lawfully on private property. It does not matter whether the dog had ever bitten before. Landlords, property managers and businesses may also be liable when they knew about a dangerous dog and did nothing.
- Bites and attacks at homes, apartment complexes and parks
- Scarring, nerve damage, infection and reconstructive surgery
- Children, delivery drivers and mail carriers
Talk to us about a dog bite →
Pedestrian & Motorcycle Accidents
Pedestrians and motorcyclists suffer the most serious injuries in traffic collisions, and insurers often try to blame them. We collect traffic and security video, witness statements and accident reconstruction to prove what happened.
- Crosswalk, sidewalk and parking-lot collisions
- Drivers turning left or changing lanes in front of riders
- Hit-and-run and uninsured-motorist claims
Talk to us about your accident →
Wrongful Death & Serious Injuries
When negligence takes a loved one's life or causes a life-changing injury, the law allows families to recover for medical and funeral costs, lost financial support, and the loss of love and companionship. We handle these cases with care and prepare them for trial.
- Brain, spinal cord and burn injuries
- Wrongful-death claims for spouses, children and dependents
- Other injuries caused by someone else's negligence
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