7/24/2018· Legal Issues
Court Clarifies Notice Requirements for 20-Day Preliminary Notice
By: Darryl Horowitt
It has long been a requirement that any subcontractor or material supplier seeking to enforce a mechanic's lien must first file a 20-day preliminary notice. The requirement existed before the California legislature revised laws relating to mechanic's liens and stop notices in 2012, and similar requirements exist after 2012.
7/23/2018· Transportation
Safety Compromises, Part 7: Stopping on the Wrong Side of the Intersection
By: Ned Einstein
For each route in each direction, transit stops are almost always located on one side of an intersection, not both. Stops just before the intersection are referred to as 'near-side' stops. Those just after the intersection are referred to as 'far-side' stops.
7/17/2018· Accident Investigation & Reconstruction
Event Data Recorders and Collision Investigation
By: Al Duncan
Event Data Recorders (EDRs) were first introduced by General Motors (GM) in 1974. That data was only available to GM; however, since 1994 more and more vehicle EDR’s have recorded data that can be gathered. The data captured can be imaged and is being used by vehicle manufacturers, law enforcement officers, and collision reconstructionists to better understand what is happening in a collision. In accident investigation, EDRs have the potential to provide independent measurements of crash data that would elsewise be estimated by reconstruction methodology.
7/10/2018· Telecommunication
Analyst Angle: Cellular Inventions Trigger Avalanche of Activities Among Companies
By: Keith Mallinson
Major innovations in cellular technologies arise largely from the substantial Research and Development (R&D) investments and inventions of relatively few companies, followed by widespread collaborations including many more in the process of standard setting.
7/5/2018· Psychology
How We Carry Trauma in the Body
By: Dr. James Zender
A powerful adjunct to post-trauma psychotherapy is body-oriented therapies and methods. Yoga, massage therapy, and Pilates are powerful tools that should be considered and included in the comprehensive treatment plan. In my work with auto accident trauma survivors I daily see the value of combining massage therapy and methods such as Pilates with the verbal working through of trauma in psychotherapy. I believe auto insurance carriers would earn big returns on their investments by paying for personal trainers to work with survivors in regular Pilates sessions which somatically supports the psycho-therapeutic work. When combined with regular massage therapy, the synergy of the combined approaches is the perfect combination for many people attempting to gain improved emotional regulation, physical health, and mobility.
6/27/2018· Corrosion
Boiler Blowdown - It's Not a Dance Move
When thinking about the safe operation of boilers (and don't we all?), several systems can readily be named; flame control, fuel/air ratio; steam pressure control, levels in the vessel, etc. What about the water? It seems so passive, as long as there is enough for level control, what's the big deal? Well, it turns out, that as the steam produced by a boiler is used in the process, the condensate from that steam is returned to the boiler as feedwater. However, since 100% of the condensate is not returned, whatever solids had been in that water before it evaporated to form steam are left in the remaining water. Fresh feedwater is added to maintain levels, but even fresh water contains some dissolved solids. So over time, the water in the boiler system gets saturated with all sorts of dissolved minerals.
6/25/2018· Medical - Medicine
Choosing an Orthopedic Surgeon
By: Dr. C. Thomas Vangsness Jr
When joint problems escalate to the point of needing special treatment, it is time to research orthopedic surgeons. As you consider your treatment options, it is important to choose an orthopedic surgeon who can accurately meet your needs. To ensure that you make the best choice, identify your needs, do your research, and ask the right questions.
6/21/2018· Construction
Court Determines Sanitary District Can Use Its Own Employees for Construction Projects
By: Darryl Horowitt
The Public Contracts Code generally provides that contracts for certain dollar amounts, generally exceeding $15,000 to $25,000, must be sent out for bid and let to the lowest responsible bidder after appropriate notice is given. Public Contracts Code § 20803, which governs sanitary districts, contains such a requirement for any contract exceeding $15,000.
6/20/2018· Finance
Financial Scams Part of a Wide Array of Elder Abuse Problems in the United States
By: Marguerita Cheng
With the aging of the U.S. population, financial exploitation and abuse of seniors is a serious and growing problem. According to the FBI, scammers tend to target the aging population because they are more likely to have excellent credit and substantial savings.
6/19/2018· Warnings & Labels
Criteria for Evaluating Warnings
If you do work as an expert witness on warnings, you probably feel quite confident that you know a bad warning when you see one (and would know a good one if you ever saw one). Of course, backing up our opinion with some version of, "I just know" doesn't make for very strong testimony. Indeed, we can count on our criteria being challenged by opposing council even when we can articulate them.
Design, Analysis, Expert, Trial, Forensic Witness
