CALL 916-777-7777
Youtube Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin-in

Has Your Identity Been Stolen?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
If you received a NOTICE OF DATA BREACH letter, contact the Arnold Law Firm at (916) 777-7777 to discuss your legal options, or submit a confidential Case Evaluation form here.
identity theftMany people first find out they are the victim of a data breach when they receive a notice in the mail from a company informing them that they are part of a “data incident” or “data breach.” Often times, these data breaches are the result of an organization failing to follow the law and take basic security measures to protect your information from a ransomware or cyberattack. Aside from receiving a notice by mail, email, or text, you can look for signs that indicate that your identity has been stolen. According to the Better Business Bureau, some of the common signs of identity theft include:
  • You receive statements or bills for accounts you never opened.
  • You were denied a loan or credit because your credit score was much lower than the last time you checked.
  • Your regular bills stop showing up in the mail or your mail has been forwarded without your consent.
  • You notice suspicious activity showing up on your bank account or credit card.
  • You receive authentication messages from organizations or accounts you did not set up.
  • Your tax return was rejected by the IRS.
  • Debt collectors call about debts you are not aware of.
Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the United States. According to the Federal Trade Commission, there were nearly 1.4 million reports of identity theft in 2020. Internet criminals seek information called Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Protected Health Information (PHI). PII and PHI is considered part of your identity and is protected by Federal law, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and State law, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Businesses are required to secure PII and PHI or risk facing statutory penalties, among other legal penalties.

NOTICE: If you received a NOTICE OF DATA BREACH or you think you have been impacted by a data breach, contact the Arnold Law Firm at (916) 777-7777 to discuss your legal options, or submit a confidential Case Evaluation request form here.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.