States weaken child labor laws, putting kids at risk By Brian Kabateck “A troubling trend is brewing underneath America’s strong employment market: more children are working in dangerous jobs, violating the nation’s labor laws and putting their lives at risk,” CBS News reported in July. In just ten months, the
By Brian Kabateck As climate change brings on more frequent and severe natural disasters, homeowners in several hard-hit states, including Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, Colorado, Oregon, and California, are facing a related crisis: difficulty getting and renewing insurance coverage for their property. Over the last few years, California has endured the
With heavy hearts, we announce the sudden passing of our partner, Christopher Brandon Noyes, an indispensable member of the KBK family. Chris departed suddenly on September 6, 2023. He was only 40 years old. His absence is already deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Born
By Brian Kabateck Hammers, knives, saws, axes, scissors, matches—so many tools we depend on to make basic tasks more straightforward and faster. Tools help our species survive and advance. Early adopters of innovative new inventions and technologies often gain an advantage and get ahead. When you’re hungry and need to
By Brian Kabateck On June 22, the California Supreme Court unanimously overruled a decades-old lower court precedent that has shielded California police from civil suits involving misconduct during investigations. Under the Government Claims Act, California law grants police immunity for harm inflicted during prosecution, even if an officer acted “maliciously
Shant Karnikian authored an article for the Daily Journal where he talks about the challenges in seeking compensation for victims of the Rolling Hills Estates landslides. “While strict liability may seem like a low threshold and easy to establish, whether a government entity bears responsibility for a landslide like the
Rey Mashayekhi Jul 13, 2023 In the wake of this winter’s devastating atmospheric rivers and resulting floods, residents in the hard-hit Pajaro Valley have set legal wheels in motion that could result in lawsuits against local government agencies. Attorneys representing hundreds of Pajaro Valley residents have filed legal claims against
By Brian Kabateck School’s out! For many teens and young adults, that means a summer job. Whether they’re saving up for college or a car, starting to take responsibility for some of their expenses, or just earning a little fun money—getting that first job is an exciting rite of passage.
This program presented by KBK partner Anastasia Mazzella and KBK attorney Annie Martin-McDonough discusses limitations in existing law and examines innovative ways to bring civil claims against intimate partners in sex abuse cases. Existing law provides a remedy for victims of forced sexual abuse, but options are often limited for
The Pajaronian recently spoke with KBK partner Brian Kabateck and one of his clients who is one of hundreds of victims filing claims against the local Monterey and Santa Cruz counties for the levee breach that led to devastating flooding. “Yes there was a massive storm, no question about it,”