Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Interns Filed a Lawsuit Against Fox Searchlight’s Black Swan

To earn a degree or even move forward in a job in their selected field, students must perform internship. It is broadly required in college and unpaid internships are common. However, many companies may now have a second thought of taking a new batch of interns for the next semester due to a newly filed lawsuit by the unpaid interns of Fox Searchlight.

According to reports from New York Times, a wage and hour employment lawsuit is seeking for class action in a federal court of Manhattan. The accusation affirms that the interns were required by the producer of Black Swan to complete a very hard work that should have been done by paid employees. In addition, the interns affirm that while on the job training, they were not given sufficient educational experience. In any state labor laws, companies are required to provide interns enough job experience during the training in order to exempt employers from paying the interns.

As reported by the New York Times, the accusation also affirmed that, “Fox Searchlight’s unpaid interns are a crucial labor force on its productions, functioning as production assistants and bookkeepers and performing secretarial and janitorial work. In misclassifying many of its workers as unpaid interns, Fox Searchlight has denied them the benefits that the law affords to employees.”

Fox Search light failed to comply with the criteria of federal Department of Labor for unpaid internships, therefore they are also charged of acting illegally. As stated on the lawsuit, employers are required to give interns a position which will benefit them, will not displace regular employees from their normal position and that the employer assume no immediate advantage from the activities of the interns.

At least 100 unpaid interns who were employed by different Fox Searchlight productions are seeking class action status, back pay under federal and state wage laws and an injunction barring Fox Searchlight from improperly decree blocking Fox Searchlight from inappropriately using unpaid interns through the said lawsuit.

Interns should be given an educational lesson and instructions on the basic skills for the industry – and not just to have them perform a hard work. Companies need to be held accountable for taking advantage of this basically free labor if they are going to take on interns. If ever companies don’t have any intent of paying intern for the hard work they have done, they should at least provide them with sufficient knowledge and experience in the industry.

Real internship can really do a lot of help to students to learn about their industry and bring them one step forward to employment career. However, most of the time, interns are mistreated and do not receive educational benefit that they are looking for when they applied for the internship. In most states like California, they have California employment lawyers which can help to expose the darker side of unpaid internship and opens the doorway for similar lawsuit concerning unpaid internship.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Environmental Group Claims Excessive Level of Lead Found at Disneyland Anaheim

Behind Mickey Mouse’s big smile are packs of lead – not literally, of course.

Disneyland is dubbed as the happiest place on Earth. However, according to an environmental group, Anaheim’s Disneyland does not only provide happiness to children but also sickness.

News reports said Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation claims that Disneyland Anaheim has excessive levels of lead that may be harmful for children visiting the theme park. According to the group, they have found high levels of lead on glass windows, brass rail chains, door knobs, and drinking fountains.

Mateel strictly opposes Disneyland’s seemingly failure to act on the group’s request to post warnings about equipment that contain excessive levels of lead. However, Disneyland on the other hand, says its management is following the state law by posting adequate warning signs about equipment with lead.

Pursuant to premises liability law, if at least one Disneyland visitor sustains any lead-related injury or sickness, the management may face legal charges. Under the law, property owners may be held liable for injuries caused by their negligence in maintaining safety in the premises.

Exposure to unsafe level of lead may cause certain types of injuries, such as:

• Reduced bone and muscle growth
• Poor muscle coordination
• Speech and language problems
• Seizures or loss of consciousness

In accordance with personal injury law, if a lead-related injury is sustained in Disneyland’s premises, its management may be required to provide compensation to the victims.

To know more about premises liability claims, you may consult with a California personal injury lawyer. Your attorney will guide you throughout the litigation process. You may dial our toll free number at 1-866-772-2889, or email us at info@mesriani.com for free case analysis.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Personal Injury: Negligent Driving May Result in 20-year Jail Sentence

A drink of cold beer may bring much enjoyment, and also – a 20-year sentence in the prison.

The party-like life of 24-year-old Costa Mesa man, Gustavo Adrian Vega, is about to turn against him as he faces 20-year and four months in jail for killing a college student due to drunk driving.

According to reports, Vega hit Orange Coast College student and model, Cara Lee, February 14 last year, which resulted in the young student’s death. Orange County Superior Court has sentenced Vega as guilty of murder, felony hit-and-run, and felony possession of illegal drugs.

Police investigations had found out that Vega is guilty of negligence as he had blood alcohol content (BAC) of 1.7, or twice as much as the legal limit. Additionally, the authorities have determined that he also had violated traffic rules by ignoring a red light which resulted into the fatal traffic accident.

Vega clearly became negligent with his actions as he violated various traffic rules and laws. In California, pursuant to Vehicle Code (VC) 23152-23229.1, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is strictly prohibited. In addition, under VC 2145-21468, it is unlawful for California motorists to run on a red light.

Aside from violating traffic rules, Vega’s negligent actions are also considered in violation of personal injury law. Under the tort law, it is unlawful for any individual to harm another person because of failure to provide reasonable care. Obviously, Vega failed to take all necessary means to avoid the accident from happening – he was drunk when the accident took place, and he ignored the red light.

To learn more California car accidents, you may consult with a Los Angeles accident attorney. Your lawyer will guide you throughout the litigation process. You may dial our toll free number at 1-866-772-2889, or email us at info@mesriani.com for free case analysis.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Driver Helping another Motorist Killed in a Burbank Car Crash

More often, Good Samaritans get nothing but gratitude and no injuries; however, the case of a Long Beach motorist is rather a different and tragic one.

A 55-year-old driver from Long Beach was killed while helping another motorist who had a flat tire in Ventura Freeway, Burbank, when a speeding Pontiac hit the Good Samaritan that resulted in his untimely death.

According to California Highway Patrol officials, the driver of the 2008 Pontiac G6 was heading westbound at about 65 miles per hour when he fatally struck the victim who had just finished changing a tire of another motorist.

The stranded driver on the other hand, sustained head injuries when the debris from the car crash hit him. According to news reports, the injured motorist was rushed into a hospital. CHP officials have said that the Pontiac driver was not injured and was not arrested.

In legal sense, the Pontiac driver if proven negligent may be charged with wrongful death lawsuit by the victim’s survivors. Under the tort law, in the event of a fatal car accident caused by the careless of another, the surviving relatives or family members of the deceased victim have the right to make a wrongful death claim.

Additionally, the driver of the stranded vehicle may file a personal injury case against the driver of the Pontiac, and may assert for compensation claims.

For more information on California automobile accidents, you may consult with a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles. An attorney will help you file the car accident lawsuit and recover damages. Dial our toll free number at 1-866-772-2889 or email us at info@mesriani.com for a free case analysis.