Yuhl Carr

We’ve been taking care of our clients for over thirty years.We know that strong evidence and good facts are two keys to the strength of any client’s case. But another key to that strength, frequently leading to the best case outcomes, is built on the close relationships we forge with our clients. Our relations are based on mutual understanding and trust, as well as clear and open lines of communication. We believe in our clients and ourselves. We take great pride in offering a unique and elevated level of legal expertise and client service. Our clients benefit from a wealth of experience within a boutique, personalized environment that inspires communication and creative solutions to problems of every level of complexity, against a proven track record of success over three decades.

News

Jim Carr and Tyler Barnett File Suit Against Amazon Logistics, Inc. for Vicarious Liability

On July 23, 2020 at around 2:10 a.m., Calvin Everhart, 53, of San Fernando, was driving a Hino truck northbound on US-395, just south of the South China Lake Boulevard exit in Ridgecrest, CA when he crossed over the center line and collided head-on with plaintiff Luis Angel Valdes, 41, of Hesperia, who was driving a Freightliner. Calvin Everhart succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Valdes survived, but suffered catastrophic injuries including a traumatic brain injury that will require a lifetime of care. Mr. Everhart was transporting freight on behalf of Amazon Logistics, Inc., who denies liability for the crash.

Plaintiff contends the following rule of law applies. Highway motor carriers licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are liable for the negligence of their independent contractor truckers who cause a traffic accident. (Gamboa v. Conti Trucking, Inc. (1993) 19 Cal.App.4th 663, 665-668.) This rule of liability is derived from the public policy exception which imputes liability to the hirer of an independent contractor when the work delegated to the contractor involves an unreasonable risk of harm to others and can lawfully be performed only under a license or franchise granted by public authority. (Serna v. Petty Leach Trucking, Inc. (2003) 110 Cal.App.4th 1475, 1486.) Amazon Logistics, Inc., therefore, owed a non-delegable duty to plaintiff pursuant to the above prevailing law and is vicariously liable for the negligent acts and omissions of its independent contractors.

Passing of Founding and Senior Partner, Eric F. Yuhl

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of one of our founding and senior partners, Eric Yuhl. Eric died on March 14 at the age of 64 in his adopted hometown of Del Mar.

Eric enjoyed a brilliant career as a litigator and trial lawyer after a childhood in West Los Angeles and an education which took him south where he graduated from U.C. San Diego and the University of San Diego School of Law. After his admission to practice in 1981, Eric cut his legal teeth as an associate in a major downtown law firm and a concurrent stint as a specially assigned trial attorney for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. In 1985 Eric opened his own office in Santa Monica and devoted the balance of his career to the handling and trial of complex personal injury, mass tort, consumer class action, sex abuse and employment cases. He was joined in partnership in 1992 by his brother Chris. Together they built what is today the firm of Yuhl Carr LLP based in Marina del Rey where Eric’s oldest son Colin is also now a partner.

Eric is survived by his wife Janet, his children Colin, Keegan, Lindsay and Taylor; his stepson Stuart; 4 grandchildren to date and counting; his brother Chris and 6 sisters; and, 21 nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed by all and by his “work family” at Yuhl Carr which includes most prominently his legal assistant and friend of 36 years, Susan Ceglarski.

We anticipate that final arrangements and an appropriate farewell to Eric will be scheduled when permitted by health and safety protocols.

In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, the family has asked that donations be made to Surfrider Foundation San Diego County at https://sandiego.surfrider.org/.

4676 Admiralty Way, Suite #550
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

310.827.2800

info@yuhlcarr.com