It’s the third racial discrimination lawsuit filed by African-American employees of Southern California Edison. This week, a group of 11 current and former employees of the utility company filed a lawsuit, alleging there was a continuing policy of racial discrimination that kept black persons at low pay levels, and hindered their prospects for promotions.
The suit was filed this week in the Los Angeles Superior Court. The lawsuit alleges that Southern California Edison had a work environment that was racially hostile. Few African Americans at the company are in senior management positions. At least one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, alleges that she has worked for the company for over 35 years training employees who would then move on to promotions ahead of her. White persons with less experience and seniority were preferred over black persons. The lawsuit also alleges that African-Americans are not paid equally as their white counterparts, and that they receive unfair work assignments.
It's the third such lawsuit filed against Southern California Edison. Two other lawsuits were filed in 1974 and 1994. Those lawsuits also alleged racial discrimination. In fact, many of the persons named in the new lawsuit filed this week, were also named in the 1994 lawsuit. In that lawsuit, Southern California Edison was asked to comply with a consent decree, in which the company would pay $11.3 million into a settlement fund, and would then start employee training programs.
Under the consent decree, the company was ordered to enhance opportunities for African-Americans at Southern California Edison. However, Los Angeles employment law lawyers have learned from a Southern California Public Radio report that the African American population of the company has actually declined by as much as 40% since the 1994 lawsuit. The new racial discrimination class action lawsuit claims damages and an injunction that would force Southern California Edison to comply with the consent decree.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Copyright Infringement Lawsuit against Harry Potter Publisher
The trustee of the estate of a British author has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Scholastic Inc., the publishing company behind the Harry Potter series. This is not the first time California business and commercial litigation lawyers have learned of lawsuits by the trustee against entities involved in the Harry Potter success. Similar lawsuits were filed against the British publishers of the Harry Potter series, as well as JK Rowling, the author of the series in 2009 and 2010. Those cases are still pending.
According to the trustee for the estate of the late Adrian Jacobs, JK Rowling copied the theme for the book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, from a book written by Adrian Jacobs, called The Adventures of Willy the Wizard-No. 1 Livid Land. The Willy the Wizard book was published in 1987, and the Harry Potter book that the plaintiff alleges was copied from it, was published in the year 2000.
The lawsuit is based on certain similarities between the two books. The main theme of both books includes a year-long struggle as part of a contest to become a wizard which in the Harry Potter book, Potter ultimately wins. There are other similarities in the books, the lawsuit alleges. Both the protagonists, Willie and Harry, are required to understand their task that is central to winning the contest, and in both books, the protagonists uncover the task in the bathroom. In both books, according to the lawsuit, the tasks involve rescuing imprisoned communities of half human-half animal creatures. The Willie the Wizard book has not been published in the United States. Scholastic Inc. is denying that there is any merit to the case.
The copyright infringement lawsuit seeks that Scholastic Inc. stop selling all copies of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It also asks that all existing copies of the book be destroyed, and that the company pay the estate of Adrian Jacobs all profits that it has received from the sale of the book.
According to the trustee for the estate of the late Adrian Jacobs, JK Rowling copied the theme for the book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, from a book written by Adrian Jacobs, called The Adventures of Willy the Wizard-No. 1 Livid Land. The Willy the Wizard book was published in 1987, and the Harry Potter book that the plaintiff alleges was copied from it, was published in the year 2000.
The lawsuit is based on certain similarities between the two books. The main theme of both books includes a year-long struggle as part of a contest to become a wizard which in the Harry Potter book, Potter ultimately wins. There are other similarities in the books, the lawsuit alleges. Both the protagonists, Willie and Harry, are required to understand their task that is central to winning the contest, and in both books, the protagonists uncover the task in the bathroom. In both books, according to the lawsuit, the tasks involve rescuing imprisoned communities of half human-half animal creatures. The Willie the Wizard book has not been published in the United States. Scholastic Inc. is denying that there is any merit to the case.
The copyright infringement lawsuit seeks that Scholastic Inc. stop selling all copies of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It also asks that all existing copies of the book be destroyed, and that the company pay the estate of Adrian Jacobs all profits that it has received from the sale of the book.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Study Finds Reclining Car Seats Increase Risk of Injuries
Most passengers on a long distance trip are guilty of this - reclining their seats partially or fully in order to enjoy a short nap. But a new study shows that these passengers may have a dramatically higher risk of injuries during an accident. In fact, regular safety features like seatbelts and airbags may not be as effective in preventing injuries in these passengers.
Researchers have found that passengers who are in reclining seats during an accident not only had a higher risk of injuries, but they also had a similar pattern of injuries. These passengers most often suffered from head injuries when their heads snapped forward from impact. They also suffered from spinal cord injuries and spinal fractures. Leg injuries occurred when the legs moved in with great force into the dashboard.
Researchers considered the pattern of these injuries around the country, and found that these were similar nationwide. Overall, passengers in partially reclining seats had their risk of death in an accident increase by 15%. Those in a fully reclined seat had their risk of death increase by almost 70%. The researchers are unanimous - passengers in the reclining seats have minimal protection from seatbelts and airbags.
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety confirms these findings. According to the Institute, it conducts most of its safety tests only on passengers and drivers who are seated upright. No safety tests are conducted on passengers who are in an inclined position. That means there is no way of knowing whether the seatbelts and airbags have any efficacy at all when it comes to protecting passengers in a reclining position.
Las Vegas personal injury lawyers find it disconcerting how so many passengers seem to be unaware of this danger. Most of us don't think twice before reclining the seat for a nap. It's important to understand that if there is an accident, your chances of suffering serious injury or death are as low as someone who's not buckled in.
Researchers have found that passengers who are in reclining seats during an accident not only had a higher risk of injuries, but they also had a similar pattern of injuries. These passengers most often suffered from head injuries when their heads snapped forward from impact. They also suffered from spinal cord injuries and spinal fractures. Leg injuries occurred when the legs moved in with great force into the dashboard.
Researchers considered the pattern of these injuries around the country, and found that these were similar nationwide. Overall, passengers in partially reclining seats had their risk of death in an accident increase by 15%. Those in a fully reclined seat had their risk of death increase by almost 70%. The researchers are unanimous - passengers in the reclining seats have minimal protection from seatbelts and airbags.
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety confirms these findings. According to the Institute, it conducts most of its safety tests only on passengers and drivers who are seated upright. No safety tests are conducted on passengers who are in an inclined position. That means there is no way of knowing whether the seatbelts and airbags have any efficacy at all when it comes to protecting passengers in a reclining position.
Las Vegas personal injury lawyers find it disconcerting how so many passengers seem to be unaware of this danger. Most of us don't think twice before reclining the seat for a nap. It's important to understand that if there is an accident, your chances of suffering serious injury or death are as low as someone who's not buckled in.
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