BD&J Personal Injury Attorney Elizabeth A. Hernandez Named Latina Lawyers Bar Association’s 2026 Luminarias Award Recipient

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BD&J Personal Injury Attorney Elizabeth A. Hernandez Named Latina Lawyers Bar Association’s 2026 Luminarias Award Recipient

PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Aug. 25, 2026

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Esteemed BD&J personal injury attorney Elizabeth A. Hernandez has been honored as the 2026 Luminarias Award recipient, presented by the Latina Lawyers Bar Association (LLBA). This award is a prestigious honor bestowed on Latinas who have done extensive work toward breaking barriers for other Latinos in the legal profession and have excelled in pursuits throughout their careers.

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Ms. Hernandez is only the most recent in a long line of advocates who have blazed new trails in the Latino community.

Previous recipients of the Luminarias Award include:

  • Rita Moreno, Academy Award-winning actress and Latina activist
  • Silvia Mendez, civil rights activist and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.

“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition,” comments Hernandez, “I stand on the shoulders of the visionaries and activists who opened doors for our community, and I’m proud to continue that progress as an advocate committed to keeping that momentum moving forward.”

This is not the first time Ms. Hernandez has been recognized as a standout attorney and advocate. As the current president of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) — and the first Latina to serve in that role in CAALA’s 77-year history and the first Mexican‑American to lead the nation’s largest plaintiff trial lawyer association, 2024 President of the Mexican American Bar Association of Los Angeles County, and a member of the Board of Directors for Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), she has been widely recognized for her experience, thoughtful representation, and leadership capabilities. Ms. Hernandez has also been the recipient of numerous accolades and industry awards, including:

  • Mexican American Bar Foundation’s Professional Achievement Award
  • Consumer Attorneys of California’s Robert E. Cartwright, Sr. Award
  • Daily Journal’s Top Women Lawyers
  • Southern California Super Lawyers
  • Best Lawyers in America – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs

LLBA has served Latina attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals for more than two decades, providing necessary advice, guidance, resources, and support for Latinas in all stages of their career. As an organization aimed at identifying areas where Latinas are underrepresented and elevating the efforts and successes of Latinas in law, LLBA has grown exponentially over the past twenty-two years and has become a highly respected group nationwide.

About BD&J, PC: BD&J, PC, has served all Californians for over 20 years in many areas of personal injury law, including auto or truck accidents, motorcycle and pedestrian collisions, premises liability, commercial injury, dog bites, and more. Having represented tens of thousands of clients from all walks of life, the attorneys at BD&J are proud to protect the rights of individuals from anywhere in California at any time. To learn more, contact BD&J here. 

Media contact: Juniper Elizondo – [email protected] 

SOURCE BD&J, PC

Brayton Purcell LLP Highlights KQED Forum Discussion on California’s Growing Artificial Stone Silicosis Crisis

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KQED's Forum broadcast draws attention to the increase in silicosis cases among California countertop fabricators.

Brayton Purcell LLP Highlights KQED Forum Discussion on California’s Growing Artificial Stone Silicosis Crisis

PR Newswire

NOVATO, Calif., Aug. 24, 2026

NOVATO, Calif., Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Brayton Purcell LLP is drawing attention to a recent KQED Forum broadcast that examined the alarming increase in silicosis cases among California workers who fabricate artificial stone countertops. Hosted by Mina Kim, the program featured Farida Jhabvala Romero, labor correspondent for KQED, and Dr. Sheiphali Gandhi, pulmonologist, occupational medicine physician, and director of the Center for Silicosis Support and Research Network at UCSF.

KQED's Forum broadcast draws attention to the increase in silicosis cases among California countertop fabricators.

The discussion focused on a growing occupational health crisis affecting workers who cut, grind, drill, polish, and fabricate artificial stone products used in homes, schools, businesses, and commercial buildings throughout California.

According to information discussed during the broadcast, more than 600 California workers have been diagnosed with silicosis since 2019. Dozens have died, and many others have undergone or are awaiting lung transplantation.

Silicosis is a progressive and incurable lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica. The disease leads to permanent lung scarring, severe breathing difficulties, disability, and death.

The broadcast highlighted the experiences of workers whose lives have been profoundly altered by the disease. During the discussion, Romero described a young stoneworker she encountered during a California regulatory hearing who appeared by Zoom connected to an oxygen machine while awaiting a lung transplant. The worker, still in his twenties, had gone from being his family’s primary provider to depending on others for support as his condition worsened.

Dr. Gandhi also shared observations from treating numerous workers diagnosed with silicosis. She explained how many patients initially experience mild symptoms such as fatigue, coughing, and shortness of breath before the disease gradually progresses to more severe respiratory impairment. In advanced cases, workers may become dependent on supplemental oxygen and require evaluation for lung transplantation.

The program also provided important information for consumers seeking to understand the risks associated with artificial stone.

Artificial stone is composed of at least 90% respirable crystalline silica. When artificial stone is cut, ground, drilled, polished, or fabricated, nano-sized silica particles become airborne and are inhaled by workers. Medical professionals continue to study the relationship between exposure to these particles and the increasing number of aggressive silicosis cases being reported among fabrication workers.

Several listener questions addressed whether homeowners are at risk from installed countertops and whether respirators alone can adequately protect workers. The discussion emphasized that the greatest exposure risks occur during fabrication activities and highlighted ongoing concerns within the medical community regarding long-term worker exposure.

The broadcast also explored the significant challenges many workers face after a diagnosis. Individuals suffering from silicosis often experience loss of income, mounting medical expenses, and uncertainty about the future as they seek treatment and support for themselves and their families.

“Programs such as KQED’s Forum play an important role in increasing public awareness of silicosis and the devastating impact it can have on workers and families,” said James Nevin, Partner at Brayton Purcell LLP. “Understanding the human stories behind these diagnoses is critical as more Californians learn about the serious health consequences associated with artificial stone fabrication.”

For decades, Brayton Purcell LLP has represented individuals and families affected by occupational diseases resulting from exposure to hazardous workplace substances. The firm remains committed to increasing awareness about artificial stone silicosis and helping affected workers understand their legal rights and options.

To listen to the broadcast, visit https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914911/artificial-stone-containing-silica-is-killing-workers-will-california-ban-it

About Brayton Purcell LLP

Brayton Purcell LLP is a California law firm with a longstanding commitment to representing individuals and families affected by occupational diseases, toxic exposures, and serious personal injuries. The firm’s accomplished attorneys have extensive experience handling complex cases involving occupational illnesses, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, artificial stone silicosis, and other diseases associated with hazardous workplace exposures.

Media Contact

Nolan Lowry
[email protected]
415-399-3107

Brayton Purcell LLP
https://www.braytonlaw.com

 

Brayton Purcell, LLP--Attorneys Helping People Providing excellent service to our clients is the highest goal of Brayton Purcell LLP. We pledge to work ceaselessly on your behalf, providing exceptional advocacy and unparalleled responsiveness. The compassion for and dedication to our clients can be witnessed both in and out of the courtroom. With compassion, dedication and a fierce pursuit of justice, we have secured record rulings for victims of diseases caused by the failure of manufacturers.

SOURCE Brayton Purcell LLP

Connecticut Office of the Attorney General: If You Bought Certain Generic Prescription Drugs in the United States

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Connecticut Office of the Attorney General: If You Bought Certain Generic Prescription Drugs in the United States

PR Newswire

HARTFORD, Conn., Aug. 24, 2026

You Could Get Money from Current and Future Settlements

HARTFORD, Conn., Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — An additional settlement has been reached with some generic prescription drug manufacturers in lawsuits alleging that consumers paid artificially inflated prices for generic prescription drugs. The Settling Defendant is Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inc., USA.

Lawsuits continue against all other Non-Settling Defendant drug manufacturers: Actavis, Amneal, Ascend, Aurobindo, Breckinridge, Citron, Dr. Reddy’s, Emcure, Fougera (see Sandoz), G&W, Greenstone, Lupin, Mallinckrodt (bankruptcy), Mayne Pharma, Mylan, Par Pharmaceutical (bankruptcy), Perrigo, Pfizer, Sandoz, Sun, Taro, Teligent (bankruptcy), Teva, Upsher-Smith, Wockhardt, and Zydus.

What is the case about?

Lawsuits were brought by many State Attorneys General claiming that Defendants unlawfully agreed with each other to fix the prices of numerous generic prescription drugs sold in the United States. As a result of Defendants’ conduct, prescription drug purchasers – including individual consumers – may have paid more than was necessary. The lawsuits are not about – and do not question – the safety or effectiveness of any of the drugs at issue.

Am I included?

You are included if: (1) you bought a generic prescription drug manufactured by any one of the Defendants; (2) the drug is one of the drugs included in the lawsuit; (3) your purchase was made sometime between May 1, 2009 and December 31, 2019; and (4) you reside in a participating state or territory (including D.C.) A listing of the drugs and a more complete description of eligibility requirements is available at the website (AGGenericDrugs.com) or by calling the toll-free number (1-866-290-0182).

What do the Settlements provide?

The State Attorneys General have created a fund for the deposit of settlement money from current and future settlements (“Settlement Fund”). The Settling Defendant has agreed to pay approximately $29.6 million into the Settlement Fund, of which $20.7 million is set aside for distribution and $8.9 million is set aside to finance the administration of the Settlements and to reimburse the State Attorneys General for litigation costs and fees as approved by the Court. Money will not be distributed yet and will be distributed pursuant to a Plan of Allocation approved by the Court at a later date. 

The State Attorneys General will continue to pursue the lawsuits against the Non-Settling Defendants, with the expectation that additional money from future settlements will be placed into the Settlement Fund for later distribution, including to individual consumers who purchased generic drugs involved in the litigation and who timely submit valid claims.

How can I get benefits?

The claims process will open at a later date. You will need to submit a claim form to get a payment. The claim form will be made available to you via the website and other means at a later date. To receive updates about this and future Settlements, including when a claim form is available, and instructions on what information to provide when submitting a claim, you should register on the website, AGGenericDrugs.com, or call the toll-free number, 1-866-290-0182.

What are my rights?

If you do nothing, you will be bound by the Settlement and the Court’s decisions. If you do not want to participate and be bound by the Settlement you must exclude yourself (“Opt out”) from the Settlement no later than October 15, 2026. If you wish to file objections or comments/concerns but still remain in the litigation (and thus be bound by the Settlement and the Court’s decisions), you may do so by submitting them to the Court in a timely, appropriate manner, as explained on the website, AGGenericDrugs.com. The Court will hold a hearing on November 5, 2026 to consider whether to approve the current Settlement. You or your own lawyer may appear at the hearing at your own expense, but you do not have to attend.

Please visit AGGenericDrugs.com or call 1-866-290-0182 for additional information, important documents, and case updates.