Law Offices of Sef Krell

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!

Currently in California, a person injured by a doctor’s incompetence or medical negligence cannot recover more than $250,000 for noneconomic damages, which are the damages awarded to compensate people for pain and suffering, as well as for the decline in their quality of life which may result from disfigurement or a physical impairment. This cap on damages was put in place back in 1975, when the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) was first enacted. - See more at: http://www.sefkrell.com/california-voters-may-get-the-cha/

In a criminal prosecution, the case against the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in order to convict. In order to obtain a TRO, however, the applicant only needs to prove the allegations by a preponderance of the evidence. This is a very low standard, meaning basically that the allegation is more likely true than not true. Sometimes the applicant is not even required to meet this low standard, but merely must prove his or her allegations to the satisfaction of the court. - See more at: http://www.sefkrell.com/how-a-tro-becomes-a-pro/

Earlier this year, the Second District Court of Appeal in Ventura upheld the search of a woman’s handbag in an apartment she shared with a male probationer. The Fourth Amendment offers protection against unreasonable searches and generally requires probable cause and a warrant in order to conduct a search. However, the courts have long held that there are many exceptions to the warrant requirement. - See more at: http://www.sefkrell.com/state-appeals-court-upholds-searc/

If you are injured on the job, notifying your employer of your injury starts the ball rolling regarding your California workers’ compensation benefits, which can help pay for your doctor bills, among other things. Problems can quickly arise, however, when you try to see a doctor. A new law aims to fix those problems. - See more at: http://www.sefkrell.com/new-law-hopes-to-improve-medical-/

Independent Medical Review (IMR) is the new process to be used by the California workers’ compensation system for resolution of disputes involving the medical treatment of injured workers. The IMR process went into effect on January 1 for injuries occurring on or after that date. As of July first, IMR will be the process utilized for everyone regardless of when the injury occurred. - See more at: http://www.sefkrell.com/independent-medical-review-coming/

Senate Bill 863 was signed into law in September of 2012, and many of the bill’s major provisions took effect at the beginning of this year. This bill makes significant changes in California workers’ compensation law, including an increase in permanent disability benefits. Read more...

Welcome to our new Facebook page! We will be posting our law firm updates, legal news and important information and resources on Workers' Compensation Law, Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Law. Also, visit our new website at: www.sefkrell.com!

If you are involved in an auto accident, slip & fall, or animal attack, your life may not be the same. The injuries you suffer may be serious in nature. At the Law Offices of Sef Krell, in Encino, California, we are dedicated to attaining the results our clients deserve.We handle cases in multiple counties within California. To discuss your case, please contact our offices at (818) 906-3662. #PersonalInjuryAttorney #AutoAccidentAttorney

Last week there was a recent string of news stories involving workers falling from great heights and suffering catastrophic injuries. In San Francisco, a window washer fell from 11 stories and is still fighting for his life. Also a tree trimmer in San Diego, who was 40 feet in the air, was killed when palm fronds fell on him and pinned him against a building. In our office, an injured worker who fell 80 feet while trimming palm fronds in Beverly Hills is making an optimist...ic recovery. I find all these cases interesting in that the law has recently changed, denying injured workers in many instances the right to derivative psychiatric injuries suffering from physical injuries. The question I have is will the injured worker in San Francisco realize that he has the right to file for psychiatric injuries for physical complaints resulting from violent or catastrophic incidence. Certainly, a window washer falling from a suspended scaffolding or a tree trimmer falling from his harness would be considered to be violent. I know that for the tree trimmer that I represent that will be part of his claim, and sadly something he needs treatment for, potentially for the rest of his life. Here at the Law Offices of Sef Krell, we try to think of intelligent, out of the box theories that will assist our clients in maximizing their receipt of benefits in workers’ compensation. http://ow.ly/Fs3Yf See more

California Law Has Changed! Criminal cases previously filed as felonies for 2nd Degree Burglary (Shoplifting), Forgery, Writing Bad Checks, Receiving Stolen Property, Grand Theft, Petty Theft with a Prior, and Unlawful Drug Possession (11350; 11357(a); 11377(a)) have now been reduced to misdemeanors. Wow, this is great news. The Draconian drug laws are finally being repealed in California. Certainly, the number of people who could not afford felony representation for these types of cases will certainly drop as misdemeanors are far simpler to handle and do not involve the significant consequences that felonies do. Accordingly, the Law Offices of Sef Krell are happy to assist individuals who find themselves charged with these types of cases throughout the state.

The Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation (CHSWC) is recognizing the 100th anniversary of California’s workers’ compensation law this year. The foundation of today’s laws protecting the rights of persons injured on the job to receive compensation for their work-related injuries was established 100 years ago when Chapter 176 was enacted by the legislature as the workmen’s compensation, insurance and safety act. - See more at: http://www.seflaw.net/commission-marks-the-100th-year-of-/

Happy New Year!