Srourian Law Firm Delivers $1.04 Million Jury Verdict In Los Angeles Superior Court
On August 4, 2016, a Pasadena, California jury awarded over $1 million in economic and non-economic damges to a client of Srourian Law Firm following a three-day jury trial.
The case titled William Deloney v. Esmarelda Martinez, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC508736, alleged personal injuries to 69-year-old William Deloney of Los Angeles, California, after an August 12, 2012 motor vehicle accident that occured on the 110 South Freeway.
The top offer from Defendant's insurance carrier to Srourian Law Firm on the eve of trial was $20,000.00, despite Deloney incurring over $42,000.00 in unpaid medical bills. After four years of litigation, the matter proceeded to trial in Los Angeles Superior Court Pasadena Courthouse on August 1, 2016.
Teaming up with Pejman Ben-Cohen, Esq. of Beverly Hills-based Carpenter Zuckerman & Rowley LLP, Srourian Law Firm attained justice for William Deloney with an award in excess of $1 million.
Judge Grants Final Approval For Hotel Workers Class Action
Srourian Law Firm announces that the Hon. William F. Highberger of the Los Angeles Superior Court has granted approval of the $850,000.00 settlement achieved in Joseph Sylvester v. Starwood Hotels. Srourian Law Firm was appointed as lead counsel in early 2016, and has vigorously litigated the case for nearly three years.
At a fairness hearing held on Tuesday, Judge Highberger signed off on the settlement, which is estimated to provide a net benefit of about $1,090 to each of about 440 former and current employees of the W Hotel in Hollywood, California.
You can read more about the approval by clicking here.
New Changes To The Private Attorney General Act
On June 15, 2016, the California Legislature passed SB 836, which contained numerous amendments to The Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 (“PAGA”). PAGA authorizes aggrieved employees to file lawsuits to recover civil penalties on behalf of themselves, other employees and the state of California for Labor Code violations. While not all of the original proposed amendments were enacted, SB 836 makes several significant changes to PAGA. These changes, to go in effect on June 27, 2016, provides:
• The Labor and Workforce Development Agency (“LWDA”), the agency which coordinates workforce programs by overseeing seven major departments that serve California businesses and workers now has 60 days to review a notice under Labor Code § 2699.3(a). Prior to the amendments, the LWDA had 30 days to review. Additionally, the time for the LWDA to investigate a claim is extended to 180 days (it was 120 days);
• A Plaintiff cannot file a civil action until 65 days after sending notice to the LWDA (previously 33 days);
• The LWDA must be provided with a copy of any proposed settlement of a PAGA action at the time it is submitted to the court;
• A copy of the court’s judgment and any other order that awards or denies PAGA penalties must be provided to LWDA;
• All items that are required to be provided to the LWDA must be submitted online, including PAGA claim notices and employer cure notices or other responses;
• A $75 filing fee is required for a new PAGA claim notice and also for any initial employer response to a new PAGA claim notice. The filing fee may be waived if the party on whose behalf the notice or response is filed is entitled to in forma pauperis status; and
• When a plaintiff files a new PAGA lawsuit in court, a filed-stamped copy of the complaint must be provided to LWDA. This requirement only applies to cases in which the initial PAGA claim notice was filed on or after July 1, 2016.
Srourian Law Firm Leads The Way In Attaining $850,000.00 Settlement For California Labor Code Violations
A California wage and hour employment class-action led by Srourian Law Firm lawsuit reached an important milestone one week ago when Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William F. Highberger approved a settlement of $850,000.00 for claims centered on the deprivation of overtime pay, meal periods, rest periods, and various other California Labor Code violations.
The California wage and hour lawsuit (Joseph Sylvester v. Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case Number BC536399, in Central District of Los Angeles) was filed in 2014 by named plaintiffs Joseph Sylvester and Anthony Wiktor. The settlement benefits all current and former hourly, non-exempt employees of Starwood at the W Hotel in Hollywood who worked from February 14, 2010 through the date of settlement approval.
On Monday, March 28, Judge Highberger granted preliminary approval of the $850,000.00 settlement. The next step in the process comes later in the year, when Judge Highberger will hear arguments for a final fairness and approval hearing on August 3, 2016.
2016 Rising Star Selection
Srourian Law Firm founder Daniel Z. Srourian has been selected to the 2016 Southern California Rising Star list.
Rising Stars is a research-driven, peer influenced rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. It is an exclusive list, recognizing no more than 2.5 percent of licensed attorneys in the State of California. To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for ten years or less.
The results of the survey will appear in Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine in July 2016.
Srourian Law Firm would like to congratulate Daniel on his selection as a Rising Star!
Srourian Law Firm Files Lawsuit Against Marriott LAX Hotel For Violating The California Labor Code
Srourian Law Firm has filed a putative class action on behalf of former and current employees of the Marriott LAX Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The lawsuit alleges the hotel violated various labor code provisions, including failure to pay overtime, failure to provide meal and rest breaks, and failure to pay minimum wage, among several other violations.
SROURIAN LAW FIRM’S CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
The class action lawsuit alleges that the Marriott's conduct violates California’s labor laws. The suit seeks actual damages for unpaid wages, in addition to penalties, interest, attorneys' fees, and punitive damages.
FREE CONSULTATION
Srourian Law Firm, with locations in Los Angeles, Westwood, Woodland Hills, and Orange County is aggressively pursuing claims against Marriott LAX. If you or someone you know works or has worked for The Shore Hotel, you may be entitled to compensation as a part of the class action lawsuit. Please contact us to speak with one of our lawyers for a free consultation.
Read a copy of the filed lawsuit here.