Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
PATIENTS ALLEGE SANTA MONICA AREA PHYSICIAN ENGAGED IN INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT DURING BREAST EXAMS
Two Former Patients of Dr. Lawrence H. Resnick Allege that Their HMO referred them to Dr. Resnick Despite Knowing of Alleged Propensity
June 8, 2011: Today, two former patients of Dr. Lawrence H. Resnick filed a lawsuit against the Santa Monica-based physician and his clinic, the Woman’s Breast Center, alleging that he engaged in inappropriate, unprofessional and offensive conduct during breast examinations. The patients, Angela Crickman and Lisa Grebe, also asserted claims against their HMO, Bay Area Community Medical Group (“Bay Area”), alleging that Bay Area referred them to Dr. Resnick despite knowing that he had a pattern, practice and/or history of engaging in such conduct. Among other things, they allege that Bay Area had received complaints from other female patients and that Bay Area knew, or should have known, that Dr. Resnick had been sanctioned by the Medical Board of the State of California for engaging in unprofessional conduct during a breast examination. See http://www.medbd.ca.gov/publications/hotsheet_2008_01.pdf http://www.medbd.ca.gov/publications/hotsheet_2008_01.pdf).Ms. Crickman (but not Ms. Grebe) has also asserted a claim against her primary health care provider, Peak Medical Group, Inc. (“Peak Health”), for allegedly referring her to Dr. Resnick despite knowing of his propensity to engage in inappropriate conduct during breast examinations. Bay Area has since been acquired by UCLA Health Systems.
In the Complaint, which was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court (Case No. BC463109), Ms. Crickman alleges, among other things, that Dr. Resnick was flirtatious and suggestive, and made numerous inappropriate comments about her physical appearance, while he conducted an ultrasound examination of her breasts. Ms. Grebe similarly alleges that Dr. Resnick engaged in sexually offensive, flirtations and suggestive conduct toward her while performing an examination. She also alleges that he kissed her on the cheek.
In their Complaint, Ms. Crickman and Ms. Grebe assert claims for sexual harassment by a physician in violation of California Civil Code Sections 51.9 and 52, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. They have also asserted claims (by Ms. Crickman against Bay Area and Peak Health; by Ms. Grebe against Bay Area) that defendants violated the California Unruh Act, alleging that the defendants failed to provide or apply the same level of scrutiny to physicians to whom they referred their female patients as they did to those to whom they referred their male patients.
Commenting about these allegations, plaintiffs’ attorney, Gregory D. Helmer of Helmer • Friedman, LLP, said, “In the fight against breast cancer, it is well known that early detection and diagnosis is critically important. While these are allegations at this point, it is obviously critical that there be nothing – including the conduct of a physician – that might discourage patients from seeking diagnostic examinations.”
For additional information or a PDF copy of the Complaint, contact:
Gregory D. Helmer (ghelmer@helmerfriedman.com)
Andrew H. Friedman (afriedman@helmerfriedman.com)
Kenneth A. Helmer (khelmer@helmerfriedman.com)
Helmer • Friedman, LLP, (310) 396-7714
(www.helmerfriedman.com)
June 8, 2011: Today, two former patients of Dr. Lawrence H. Resnick filed a lawsuit against the Santa Monica-based physician and his clinic, the Woman’s Breast Center, alleging that he engaged in inappropriate, unprofessional and offensive conduct during breast examinations. The patients, Angela Crickman and Lisa Grebe, also asserted claims against their HMO, Bay Area Community Medical Group (“Bay Area”), alleging that Bay Area referred them to Dr. Resnick despite knowing that he had a pattern, practice and/or history of engaging in such conduct. Among other things, they allege that Bay Area had received complaints from other female patients and that Bay Area knew, or should have known, that Dr. Resnick had been sanctioned by the Medical Board of the State of California for engaging in unprofessional conduct during a breast examination. See http://www.medbd.ca.gov/publications/hotsheet_2008_01.pdf http://www.medbd.ca.gov/publications/hotsheet_2008_01.pdf).Ms. Crickman (but not Ms. Grebe) has also asserted a claim against her primary health care provider, Peak Medical Group, Inc. (“Peak Health”), for allegedly referring her to Dr. Resnick despite knowing of his propensity to engage in inappropriate conduct during breast examinations. Bay Area has since been acquired by UCLA Health Systems.
In the Complaint, which was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court (Case No. BC463109), Ms. Crickman alleges, among other things, that Dr. Resnick was flirtatious and suggestive, and made numerous inappropriate comments about her physical appearance, while he conducted an ultrasound examination of her breasts. Ms. Grebe similarly alleges that Dr. Resnick engaged in sexually offensive, flirtations and suggestive conduct toward her while performing an examination. She also alleges that he kissed her on the cheek.
In their Complaint, Ms. Crickman and Ms. Grebe assert claims for sexual harassment by a physician in violation of California Civil Code Sections 51.9 and 52, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. They have also asserted claims (by Ms. Crickman against Bay Area and Peak Health; by Ms. Grebe against Bay Area) that defendants violated the California Unruh Act, alleging that the defendants failed to provide or apply the same level of scrutiny to physicians to whom they referred their female patients as they did to those to whom they referred their male patients.
Commenting about these allegations, plaintiffs’ attorney, Gregory D. Helmer of Helmer • Friedman, LLP, said, “In the fight against breast cancer, it is well known that early detection and diagnosis is critically important. While these are allegations at this point, it is obviously critical that there be nothing – including the conduct of a physician – that might discourage patients from seeking diagnostic examinations.”
For additional information or a PDF copy of the Complaint, contact:
Gregory D. Helmer (ghelmer@helmerfriedman.com)
Andrew H. Friedman (afriedman@helmerfriedman.com)
Kenneth A. Helmer (khelmer@helmerfriedman.com)
Helmer • Friedman, LLP, (310) 396-7714
(www.helmerfriedman.com)
Copyright © 2011 Helmer Friedman, LLC. All rights reserved. Publication rights granted so long as article and byline are reprinted intact, with all links made live.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Board of Directors of Bet Tzedek Legal Services
Gregory D. Helmer selected to Board of Directors of Bet Tzedek Legal Services
October 20, 2010 - Helmer Friedman is pleased to announce that Gregory D. Helmer has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors of Bet Tzedek (House of Justice) Legal Services Foundation. One of the nation’s premier legal services organizations since 1974, Bet Tzedek provides free assistance to more than 10,000 people of every racial and religious background in the Los Angeles area. Recently, Bet Tzedek’s employment rights project won a significant human trafficking case in which the victim, an Indonesian woman, was brought to the United States and forced to work without pay and under inhumane living conditions. In addition, Bet Tzedek’s Holocaust Survivors Justice Network has assisted survivors of the holocaust in seeking and obtaining reparations from the German Government.
October 20, 2010 - Helmer Friedman is pleased to announce that Gregory D. Helmer has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors of Bet Tzedek (House of Justice) Legal Services Foundation. One of the nation’s premier legal services organizations since 1974, Bet Tzedek provides free assistance to more than 10,000 people of every racial and religious background in the Los Angeles area. Recently, Bet Tzedek’s employment rights project won a significant human trafficking case in which the victim, an Indonesian woman, was brought to the United States and forced to work without pay and under inhumane living conditions. In addition, Bet Tzedek’s Holocaust Survivors Justice Network has assisted survivors of the holocaust in seeking and obtaining reparations from the German Government.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Employment Round Table
Andrew H. Friedman to Speak at Employment Round Table of Southern California’s Annual Fall Conference and Awards Luncheon
November 4, 2010 - On Thursday, November 4, 2010, Andrew H. Friedman will speak at the Employment Round Table of Southern California’s Annual Fall Conference and Awards Luncheon. The Conference will take place at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel,
404 South Figueroa, Los Angeles California beginning at 7:30 a.m. You can register to attend by visiting http://ertsc.org Mr. Friedman’s presentation will take place immediately prior to a Special Award Presentation to The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California - Invited Recipient - of the Round Table’s Leadership Award in Disability Rights.
November 4, 2010 - On Thursday, November 4, 2010, Andrew H. Friedman will speak at the Employment Round Table of Southern California’s Annual Fall Conference and Awards Luncheon. The Conference will take place at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel,
404 South Figueroa, Los Angeles California beginning at 7:30 a.m. You can register to attend by visiting http://ertsc.org Mr. Friedman’s presentation will take place immediately prior to a Special Award Presentation to The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California - Invited Recipient - of the Round Table’s Leadership Award in Disability Rights.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Denied Managerial Position with Home Depot?
Work for Home Depot? Are you a female employee of Home Depot who was denied a promotion to a managerial position? Are you a female job applicant who was denied a managerial position? If so, your rights to a workplace free of discrimination based on sex or gender may have been violated. For a consultation, please call Helmer Friedman LLP at (310) 396-7714 or email us at info@helmerfriedman.com.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Employee Fired After Being Choked By Coworker
Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Filed Against Major Manufacturer of Cosmetics and Toiletries
Former Employee Alleges That Gar Laboratories, Inc. Fired Her After She Was Assaulted and Battered By A Male Co-Worker that's how I killed people in Iraq. California law clearly prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who make complaints about workplace safety issues. Indeed, California law actually mandates that all California employers provide a safe and healthful workplace.
Cherie Stewart, a former employee of Gar Laboratories, Inc. (www.garlabs.com), an FDA registered contract manufacturer and filler that produces cosmetics, toiletries, Over-The-Counter drug items, as well as health and beauty aids, filed a lawsuit alleging that the Company violated multiple California laws by firing her after she complained that a male co-worker assaulted and battered her by choking her and then bragging "that's how I killed people in Iraq." The lawsuit was filed in Riverside, California Superior Court and assigned case number RIC508200.
Commenting about these allegations, Ms. Stewart's attorney, Andrew H. Friedman of the Venice, California based Helmer • Friedman, LLP law firm said "California law clearly prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who make complaints about workplace safety issues. Indeed, California law actually mandates that all California employers provide a safe and healthful workplace."
Ms. Stewart's other attorney, Melanie Partow, expressed the hope that Ms. Stewart's lawsuit would serve as a wake up call to those employers ignorant about California's anti-retaliation laws, "It is a shame that many employers in California are still apparently unaware of the fact that it is unlawful to retaliate against an employee who complains about things like discrimination, harassment and work place safety issues. We hope that any press coverage that this case receives will serve to remind employers of their obligations under California law."
For additional information or a PDF copy of Ms. Stewart's Complaint, contact:
Andrew H. Friedman (afriedman@helmerfriedman.com)
Melanie Partow (mpartow@helmerfriedman.com)
Helmer • Friedman, LLP -- 310-396-7714
www.HelmerFriedman.com
Former Employee Alleges That Gar Laboratories, Inc. Fired Her After She Was Assaulted and Battered By A Male Co-Worker that's how I killed people in Iraq. California law clearly prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who make complaints about workplace safety issues. Indeed, California law actually mandates that all California employers provide a safe and healthful workplace.
Cherie Stewart, a former employee of Gar Laboratories, Inc. (www.garlabs.com), an FDA registered contract manufacturer and filler that produces cosmetics, toiletries, Over-The-Counter drug items, as well as health and beauty aids, filed a lawsuit alleging that the Company violated multiple California laws by firing her after she complained that a male co-worker assaulted and battered her by choking her and then bragging "that's how I killed people in Iraq." The lawsuit was filed in Riverside, California Superior Court and assigned case number RIC508200.
Commenting about these allegations, Ms. Stewart's attorney, Andrew H. Friedman of the Venice, California based Helmer • Friedman, LLP law firm said "California law clearly prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who make complaints about workplace safety issues. Indeed, California law actually mandates that all California employers provide a safe and healthful workplace."
Ms. Stewart's other attorney, Melanie Partow, expressed the hope that Ms. Stewart's lawsuit would serve as a wake up call to those employers ignorant about California's anti-retaliation laws, "It is a shame that many employers in California are still apparently unaware of the fact that it is unlawful to retaliate against an employee who complains about things like discrimination, harassment and work place safety issues. We hope that any press coverage that this case receives will serve to remind employers of their obligations under California law."
For additional information or a PDF copy of Ms. Stewart's Complaint, contact:
Andrew H. Friedman (afriedman@helmerfriedman.com)
Melanie Partow (mpartow@helmerfriedman.com)
Helmer • Friedman, LLP -- 310-396-7714
www.HelmerFriedman.com
Monday, February 1, 2010
Super Lawyers 4th Year
Andrew H. Friedman and Gregory D. Helmer are named 2010 “Super Lawyers"
February 1, 2010 - Law & Politics Magazine and the publishers of Los Angeles Magazine select Andrew H. Friedman and Gregory D. Helmer as a 2010 Southern California "Super Lawyers" in the category of Labor and Employment Law. This is the fourth year that both Mr. Friedman and Mr. Helmer have been selected as "Super Lawyers."
February 1, 2010 - Law & Politics Magazine and the publishers of Los Angeles Magazine select Andrew H. Friedman and Gregory D. Helmer as a 2010 Southern California "Super Lawyers" in the category of Labor and Employment Law. This is the fourth year that both Mr. Friedman and Mr. Helmer have been selected as "Super Lawyers."
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