mattzumstein

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Hispanic Representation Rises after 2022 California Midterm Elections

An attorney who has litigated cases for clients in the public and private sectors, Matthew “Matt” Zumstein joined Zurich Staff Legal in 2019. To provide relevant legal advice and guidance for his clients, Matthew Zumstein stays informed on the political climate across Sacramento, California, and beyond. After the 2022 midterm election, the California legislature made progress toward equitable representation of the Latino and Hispanic population.

Before the election, among the 80 state assembly members and 40 state senators, the California state legislature had 32 Latino and Hispanic members, a little more than a quarter of the 120 members. In comparison, in the 2020 census, about 40 percent of California’s population identified as either Latino or Hispanic. With the election of seven additional members, representation of this group rose to about 32.5 percent.

In total, voters elected six new assembly members and three senators. All except three - Juan Alanis, Kate Sanchez, and Josh Hoover - registered as members of the California Latino Legislative Caucus.

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California Wildfire and Impact on Home Insurance Rates

Based in Redwood City, California, Matthew Zumstein is an experienced litigation attorney at Zurich Staff Legal in Sacramento. At the firm, Matthew "Matt" Zumstein fulfills various roles, from representing commercial and personal clients as a lead counsel to providing property and casualty insurance defense, such as in the case of wildfire disasters.

Home insurance is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive for many Californians to obtain as the risk of wildfire increases yearly due to the state's ongoing drought and climate change. After paying out billions of dollars in claims due to these catastrophic events, insurers have had no choice but to raise insurance premiums and carefully select regions to cover. Consequently, according to Policygenius, this has caused California insurance rates to go up by almost 10 percent compared to 2021.

Nevertheless, the California Department of Insurance introduced a new regulation that included reducing insurance premiums in fire-prone regions, incentivizing wildfire adaptation, and giving consumers more information and influence over how insurers respond to climate risk in their communities. The regulation also requires residents to play their part in protecting their properties from wildfire damage.

For instance, local experts recommend that residents retrofit their homes and property to protect them against wildfire to lower insurance prices. The California regulation also indicates that insurers should provide discounts to residents and businesses taking measures to harden their property from wildfire.

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Liabilities Placed on Builders for Residential Work

Matthew “Matt” Zumstein is a Sacramento attorney who delivers experienced representation in cases of insurance, contract, and real estate law. Another area of knowledge of Matthew Zumstein is construction law. On key question in this arena has to do with the liability placed on home builders for work completed.

According to California state civil code 900, which covers single family homes, licensed builders, developers, and contractors are obligated to provide a “fit and finish warranty” that lasts one year. This covers aspects of the home environment such as painting and counter and tiling installation, though it does not extend to defective appliances. Beyond the one-year mark, builders have the option to provide an extended warranty.

In addition to this, builders are liable for a living space free from “patent” defects, which are apparent through reasonable inspection, for four years. The liability time frame for latent defects, which are more difficult to discover, extends to 10 years. The latter include cracks in the foundation and roof framing issues.

Upon discovery of defects covered under the CA civil code, a complaint must be filed through the Right to Repair Act within 10 years (less for some issues). The approved claim must then be sent to the builder/contractor as a written notice, with the builder given 30 days to deliver a maintenance plan. If the builder does not agree with the assessment, the case may proceed to the California Contractors' State Licensing Board or small claims court.

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Zurich Hosts Event for Students from Illinois State University

Matthew Matt Zumstein has served as an attorney for various organizations, such as the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office and private firms. As an attorney for the legal arm of Zurich, Zurich Staff Legal, Matthew Zumstein helps businesses with property and casualty insurance defense cases.

In October 2022, Zurich hosted an event for students from Illinois State University at the Zurich North America headquarters in Schaumburg. The event helped 20 invitees see the connection between their coursework and work in the insurance industry.

During the gathering, students met with insurance industry professionals who discussed their experiences in underwriting, claims, and finance teams. The professionals also shared tips they learned during their careers. The groups discussed how building relationships, taking risks, asking for help, and remaining committed to lifelong learning have contributed to their success.

The students also toured the company’s award-winning campus. The tour included a talk about the building's sustainable features and amenities, such as the fitness center, rooftop beehives, coffee bar and café, terraces, and walking trails.

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The Public Awaits the Verdict on the Nevis and Amtrak Lawsuit

An attorney from Redwood City, California, Matthew Matt Zumstein works with Zurich Staff Legal, the legal arm of the insurance risk and management firm Zurick. Matthew Zumstein practices property and casualty insurance law.

The Sacramento legal community continued waiting on the verdict of a $57 million property and casualty lawsuit for the trial involving Joe Nevis, Amtrak, and Marysville Rideout Memorial Hospital. It wrapped up on October 27, 2022. Plaintiff Nevis sued Amtrak for the 2016 accident that culminated in the amputation of his legs.

In his original lawsuit, Nevis’s lawyer, Raymond McElfish, sought $32 million in damages against the hospital and Amtrak. The figure increased to $57 million. McElfish claims the hospital acted negligently, allowing Nevis to leave the hospital. The plaintiff also claims that Amtrak acted negligently for failing to alert Nevis of an oncoming train.

The event happened on Christmas Eve 2016 and involved Nevis leaving the hospital after submitting to an exam performed by a hospital physician. According to an October 2022 Sacramento Bee article, the doctor performed the exam but was in the process of discharging Nevis when the patient left without his discharge papers.

Intoxicated, Nevis claims that the hospital prematurely discharged him. He has no recollection of leaving the hospital and laying his legs across the track. Moreover, he claims he did not hear the train's alarm system go off.

The hospital claims that the doctor followed the proper procedure, but the patient left out of his volition.

Likewise, Amtrak’s position is that Nevis trespassed on private property and intentionally laid his legs on the tracks. One witness testified that Nevis had thoughts of suicide, indicating he might have intentionally injured himself.

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A Brief Overview of the Differences Between Hiking Trekking

Attorney Matthew Matt Zumstein is a partner at Lewis Brisbois, a general practice law firm with offices in 29 states and approximately 1,400 attorneys. In his free time, Matthew Zumstein enjoys hiking.

Many people do not distinguish between hiking and trekking, despite the differences. While both involve walking outdoors, hiking commonly entails walking on marked trails with landscapes ranging from easy to difficult. The time spent hiking may range from an hour to a full day. Popular hiking destinations include mountains, hills, national park trails, and coastlines. Most hikes also start and end in the same location.

In contrast, trekking typically requires at least two days, making it more difficult than hiking. Trekking also requires camping equipment and food to last the duration of the trek. Overnight accommodations include small lodges, bed and breakfast hotels, and mountain huts on the trekking route that do not have marked paths and offer more challenges—a hike fewer things than trekking, such as a water bottle, snacks, and a jacket. Most treks do not finish at the starting point, ending 24.85-plus miles from the starting location.

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California is Poised to Reduce Gas-Powered Automobile Sales

A litigation attorney with experience in multiple legal areas, Matthew “Matt” Zumstein earned his JD at the University of the Pacific. Since 2019, he has served as an attorney with Zurich Staff Legal. Experienced in property and casualty insurance defense, Matthew Zumstein represents both commercial and personal clients while applying his broad knowledge of California law.

California law-makers are vetting a legislative plan that is poised to mitigate the rate of carbon emissions in the state as an integral part of the nationwide effort to mitigate greenhouse gas pollution and facilitate a sustainable climate. The plan is poised to prohibit the sale of new gas-powered cars, trucks, and SUVs in California starting in 2035. The exclusionary legislative plan will allow the sale of electric automobiles and hydrogen-powered automobiles. The plan will restrict annual sales of hybrid automobiles (vehicles that are powered by electricity and gas) to one-fifth of automobile sales in the state.

The legislative plan will help reduce the rate of transportation-induced carbon emissions, minimizing air pollution. According to npr.org, the transition to electric and hydrogen-powered automobiles may be an unprofitable transition for oil-producing states in the US, but the climate goal is critical to economic sustainability.

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With extensive experience in insurance and construction law, Matthew “Matt” Zumstein serves Zurich North America as a litigation attorney. Over his 20-year career, Matt Zumstein has solved numerous matters without going to arbitration or court. He also has a successful history of advising clients on reducing litigation risks.

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Attendance-Based Funding for California Schools

Matthew Zumstein has served as an attorney at Zurich Staff Legal in Sacramento, California, since 2019. As a member of the Sacramento legal community, Matthew “Matt” Zumstein keeps abreast of the latest legislative activity impacting the community. California is one of only six states in the country that bases education funding on student attendance. Under this scheme, if a school finishes the academic year with a 95 percent attendance rate, the school will only receive 95 percent of its projected funding. Democratic lawmaker Senator Anthony Portantino is working to pass a bill that would change that. Under the proposed bill, schools would instead receive funding based on total enrollment. Various lawmakers and education professionals have pointed out problems with the attendance-based funding system. For instance, schools in low-income areas typically have higher rates of truancy and absenteeism, resulting in funds being withheld from where they are needed most. Senate Bill 830 has been partly inspired by a recent budget surplus for California, which has freed up an additional $3 billion for local school districts. While certain schools will benefit more than others, Portantino pointed out that every school would receive increased funding, with no schools losing funding through the bill. Furthermore, the bill calls for schools to use at least 50 percent of additional funds to investigate and respond to leading causes of absenteeism. Senate Bill 830 will go into effect in September 2023 if it passes.

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Californian Wildfire Insurance Coverage in 2021

A lawyer with Zurich Staff Legal in Sacramento, California, Matthew Zumstein has an extensive history in civil litigations involving property and casualty insurance defense. Matthew “Matt” Zumstein’s experience is in demand in northern California due to the tensions between homeowners and insurance companies surrounding the rise in wildfires in recent years. Beginning in 2017, thousands of homeowners who lived in high-risk wildfire areas were declined insurance coverage. As a result, homeowners saw a drastic increase in coverage expenses because they were forced to enter the state-run insurance pool. In 2021, insurance companies began slowly reaccepting customers in wildfire-prone Californian areas, albeit with higher rates. Additionally, California recently implemented a ban that prevents insurance companies from rejecting clients for a year in wildfire zones. This moratorium was implemented to prevent insurers from dropping current customers and denying coverage in the aftermath of the 2021 wildfire season. The ban is meant to give wildfire survivors the support they need as they recover.

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Product Liability Cases and Defects

A Redwood City, California resident, Matthew Zumstein graduated from the University of Pacific and holds a juris doctor. Matt Zumstein currently serves as an attorney at Zurich Staff Legal, specializing in real estate litigation and products liability. Product liability cases happen when people or clients are harmed because of a product defect. When such a thing happens, a number of parties that contributed to the manufacture of the product can be held liable and answer for the product's failure. There are several types of product defects such as manufacturing, design, and failure to warn. Manufacturing defects are products that have missing pieces or broken pieces that should have been present and it represents only a small percentage of the total products of a company. Design defects are products that are built wrong all the way from the blueprint. This means that the product should have been designed better to not cause any damage to people. Failure to warn happens when a company fails to reveal to customers that the product carries some risks and can harm an individual in some cases.

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Construction Surety Bonds Types and Uses

A Redwood City, California resident, Matthew Zumstein graduated from the University of Pacific and holds a juris doctor. Matt Zumstein currently serves as an attorney at Zurich Staff Legal. Member of the US Supreme Court Bar, Matthew Zumstein is experienced in construction law and construction bonds. Construction surety bonds are used in construction projects and consist of three parties: the obligee, the builders, and the surety company. These bonds protect against financial loss or disruptions if a contractor cannot respect the contract and complete the project. Construction bonds are mandatory for contractors on all projects and are meant to assure the investors or project owners that the project will be completed with all its specifications. There are several types of construction surety bonds such as bid bonds and performance bonds. The bid bond serves as an assurance to the obligee, that if a certain contractor is awarded the project they will agree and honor the contract terms. The bid bond is then transformed into a performance bond when the contractor starts working on the project. The performance bond protects the investor in case the work of the contractor is defective and the project does not match the specifications.

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The Association of Defense Counsel of NC

As an attorney at Zurich Staff Legal, Matthew Matt Zumstein draws on experience in the public and private sectors. Matthew Zumstein retains membership in the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California (ADCNC). The ADCNC offers multiple services to assist attorneys performing civil litigation defense. The ADCNC’s primary function is to offer continuing education to its members. It hosts year-round seminars on diverse topics, including employment law and construction defects. These seminars are open to both attorneys and their clients. Respected experts from the Sacramento, California, area head the seminars. Larger events are also on the agenda. The ADCNC hosts a biennial seminar for law firm administrators that focus on effectively running their practice. The second is the ADCNC’s annual meeting. Open to all members and clients, the meeting is held in early December in San Francisco. The event takes place over two days and combines law topic panels with social activities. The ADCNC publishes a magazine to inform its members, the Defense Comment. Published three times per year, the Defense Comment contains articles about legal trends and updates on activity in California’s state capital. It also has information on California Supreme Court cases and other cases relevant to the ADCNC’s target area.

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Boots vs. Shoes for Hiking

Matthew Zumstein is an experienced litigation attorney working with Zurich Staff Legal in Sacramento. When out of the office, Matthew “Matt” Zumstein enjoys spending time with his children and doing outdoor activities like biking and hiking. For hiking, the footwear of choice used to be hiking boots. They offer the perfect blend of durability and ankle support to withstand arduous trails and uneven terrain. However, modern hikers can also opt for hiking shoes, made from more lightweight and breathable materials that conform to the foot better and are lighter and easier to pack for travel. Shoes can be perfect in arboreal, relatively even terrain. While hikers can use hiking shoes on trails perfectly during optimal weather conditions, beware of using shoes cut below the ankle for extremely rugged terrain or in extreme weather. The added support from deeper shoes and boots can prevent accidents and help you remain stable on your feet. Boots are optimal for rocky climbs, and hikers can choose between lightweight, mid-weight, and heavyweight models, depending on the level of difficulty and weather conditions. Sneakers are generally not recommended for hiking. They lack the proper foot support and are not built to withstand the rigors of longer hikes or carrying a pack.

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California Lawmakers Campaign for Diversity

With over 20 years of experience practicing law, Matthew Zumstein specializes in property and casualty insurance defense. Matthew “Matt” Zumstein has joined Zurich Staff Legal in 2019, a company devoted to diversity and inclusion in the workforce. California’s legislature caucuses recently announced that they had started a campaign for diversity among the top corporations in the state. They had sent letters urging them to comply with state laws on hiring people of color, women, and minorities as board members and directors. According to the law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom the previous year, companies that don’t have sufficient representation and diversity in their board could face fines between $100 000 and $300 000. Women are currently underrepresented in the corporations, with only 26.5 percent of seats in California businesses occupied by women and only 6.6 percent of seats held by women of color. These statistics strikingly contrast a state that has over 40 percent Latinos. New campaigns for greater board diversity aim to improve company culture through representation and equality, the lawmakers suggest.