Blog

December 2023

“The time is always right to do what is right.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Holiday Greeting

December 2022

PLG wishes all of those in our circle happy holidays and a peaceful new year. Below is a snapshot of our 2022 holiday card.

6/19/21

Dominique Pollara, Esq. is Trial Lawyer of the Year!



Each year, the Sacramento Valley Chapter of ABOTA awards an outstanding lawyer in the area with a prestigious award: Trial Lawyer of the Year. The recipient exhibits excellence in advocacy, a distinguished career, and a reputation for civility, ethics, and fair play. In 2021, the board selected our own Dominique Pollara, Esq. as the region’s Trial Lawyer of the Year. Dominique’s dedication to her craft and her clients is unparalleled, and her ability to represent with dignity, mutual respect, and efficiency is impressive. ABOTA is dedicated to preserving the rights granted to all Americans by the 7th Amendment to the Constitution - namely the right to trial by jury - and Dominique is a prime example of a trial attorney.

As a member of ABOTA, Dominique is proud to promote and participate in the organization’s dedication to civics education. From expounding on the importance of civility and ethics in law school classrooms to reading books about democracy and justice in elementary school classrooms, ABOTA is determined to ensure that the next generation is given the tools and resources to navigate our democracy, and Dominique and Pollara Law Group stand behind this mission.

Thank you to the Sacramento Valley chapter of Cal-ABOTA for awarding Dominique with this immeasurable honor, and a special acknowledgment to the winners that have come before her and those to follow. Dominique is proud to be included in this incredible group of Sacramento Valley Trial Lawyers of the Year, and she looks forward to continuing to serve her clients and the community.

12/11/19

It’s That Time of Year

Happy Holidays from all of us at PLG!

As we reflect on the last five years, what stands out most are the relationships that have started, continued, and grown.Thank you for joining us on this path, and we wish you a holiday season filled with joy.
Holiday Greeting

12/05/19

Ms. Pollara Published in International Anesthesiology Clinics Journal

For the Winter 2020 edition of the International Anesthesiology Clinics Journal, Dominique wrote an article titled ‘What To Do When Things Go Bad: a perspective from defense counsel.’

This article discusses hurdles that may make it difficult for anesthesiologists to protect themselves from a legal standpoint, outlines mistakes and assumptions regarding such hurdles, and provides a roadmap for navigating these challenges.

Please click here to read the article. 

01/18/19

2018 Highlights

As we settle in to the new year and look forward to what 2019 will bring, we at PLG also feel that it is important to take a moment and reflect on the past year. We are proud of the ability we had in 2018 to give back to the community through donations, sponsorships, and attending events. Although we have already posted about some of these contributions, we would like to take this time to highlight these moments in our year because that truly is what they were to PLG: highlights.

  • Dominique participated in the Tour de Cure with The Doctors Company to raise money and awareness for diabetes.

  • PLG was a sponsor of the “Wags to Riches” event for Scooter’s Pals which is a non-profit dedicated to rescuing, fostering, and rehoming abused, neglected, and abandoned dogs.
  • Dominique attended the Hard Hats and High Heels event in support of Habitat for Humanity’s Sacramento chapter.

  • Through the Association of Legal Administrators, an organization that our administrator Missy belongs to, a few PLG team members had the opportunity to volunteer at the first ever Courageous Heart Run which was put on by Sacramento’s chapter of the Mended Little Hearts organization. This organization provides support and services to children with congenital heart disease and their families. PLG helped participants register and sign in for the race, and our associate Dave even stepped in last minute and helped to MC the event!

  • Dominique participated as a judge in the New York City Bar Association’s 69th Annual National Moot Court Competition for Region 12. Moot court gives future attorneys the opportunity to practice and to hone their craft.
  • Our entire office worked together to help a local family have a holiday season filled with joy by adopting a family through the Sacramento Children’s Home. It made our holiday season to be able to act as Santa’s little helpers for a family in need.

  • PLG was a sponsor for the reception of the 2nd annual Cruz Reynoso Community Service Award - Defensor de Justicia honoring Dean Kevin Johnson, and Dominique attended the reception.

  • Additionally, Dominique was extremely proud to be appointed to the National ABOTA Executive Committee by Cynthia McQuinn for her tenure as the second woman national president in the history of the organization.
  • Lastly, we welcomed 3 new members to the team this year, David Lang, Esq., Megan Trent, and Nicole Whatley, Esq., and we are grateful for what they have already contributed to the PLG team.

All of us at PLG wish you a productive and peaceful 2019; we are excited to continue offering high-caliber representation to our clients while also being present and making a positive impact in our community.

09/21/18

CURES Enrollment Requirement

All health care providers in California are now required to be enrolled to access the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) data base; which tracks all Schedule II, III and IV controlled substances dispensed in California. The mandatory use of CURES is required effective October 2, 2018. Providers are required to consult CURES under certain circumstances unless an exemption applies. Health & Safety Code section 11165.4. In addition, providers are required to consult CURES at least once every 4 months if the controlled substance remains a part of the patient’s treatment plan.

Please see the attached FAQ issued by the California Medical Board regarding CURES consultation. Readers may also view additional information on this issue posted to the California Medical Board website.

Providers should become familiar with the law as those who do not comply with the law may be exposed to potential licensure discipline.

06/22/18

CURES

“The Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) was certified for statewide use by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on April 2, 2018. Therefore, the mandate to consult CURES prior to prescribing, ordering, administering, or furnishing a Schedule II–IV controlled substance becomes effective on October 2, 2018.” Please click this link for more detailed information about this mandate.
(Source: mbc.ca.gov/CURES)

03/06/18

Online Security Tip

Security is something that we at Pollara Law Group are committed to providing to our clients. We take careful consideration of security at all angles, and one of the newest and most important areas is online security. Our IT firm, Terrapin Technology, helps to ensure that we are up to date when it comes to best practices for online security and helps us behind the scenes.

At a recent update meeting with Terrapin, a question that everyone in our office asked is how should we be creating and storing passwords so they are safe? Joe recommended an application called 1password to help address the question.

  • 1password is a password management application.
    • It allows you to safely store passwords and also helps you come up with secure passwords.
  • First you must create an account and install the application on your computer, phone, or any compatible device you use.
    • 1password will then give you a “secret key” which is what you will use to securely log into 1password on any other device.
  • You are then able to make your “master password” which is exactly what it sounds like – the password you use every time you use 1password. Once you’ve set this up, this will be your one and only password that you have to remember for any and all logins.
  • Once you have installed and set up your account, you can manually store login information for websites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. In the future, when you go to these websites to log in, 1password will fill your information in for you.
    • This step can be time-consuming, but it will save you time and frustration in the future when logging into your different accounts online.
  • The password generator is a feature that creates secure passwords for you when you are creating new accounts on different websites.
    • These passwords are then stored in 1password for you to access in the future just as the manually entered login information is stored.
  • There are many other features that 1password offers, such as securely storing credit card information for online purchases, a place to store notes and other sensitive information, and the ability to print or share stored information with chosen individuals, and we encourage you to go to the 1password website to learn more about this application.

01/05/18

2017 Highlights

2018 is already here! As we welcome the new year, we wanted to take a moment to reflect and to acknowledge a few notable happenings at Pollara Law Group in 2017.

  • We obtained two defense verdicts; one in Reno, Nevada in a legal malpractice action involving an underlying medical malpractice case, and one in Sacramento, California in a case alleging malpractice in the treatment of an acute aortic dissection.
  • Dominique was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers.

  • Jason worked on his golf swing when attending two golf tournaments – one to support the Nevada Rural Hospital Partners and the other to support the Association of Defense Counsel. We are always striving to integrate our passions and the things we love into the workplace, and Jason even won the long drive competition at the NRHP Tournament!

  • Over the summer we participated in the Sacramento Children’s Home Backpack Drive and provided 25 backpacks filled with all the necessary school supplies for students to have a successful year obtaining their education.
  • We were one of the sponsors for Art Fest (presented by the Women Lawyers of Sacramento); the proceeds from this event funded grants to local charitable organizations and scholarships for law students.

  • Our receptionist, Terrence, attended a course through the Institute of Paralegal Education called “The Paralegal’s Guide to Medical Records” and he received a certification. Terrence felt that this course was “an opportunity to supplement professional growth by acquiring exposure to versatile topics” and it allowed him to “expand professional networking and development through individual knowledge and readiness.” He is looking forward to applying what he learned in the course at Pollara Law Group in 2018!

Thanks for keeping up with Pollara Law Group! We are eager to share both personal and professional content this year… Welcome to 2018 – Happy New Year!

12/29/17

Spreading Holiday Cheer

We hope you all have had a joyful month (or 2!) of celebrating the holidays. Here at Pollara Law Group, one of our favorite things about the holiday season is the opportunity it provides to give back. Locally, the Sacramento Children’s Home is an organization that focuses on providing help and support to vulnerable children and families. They offer a “comprehensive spectrum of prevention, early intervention, and mental health treatment programs to strengthen families and stop the generational cycle of child abuse and neglect.”1 Each year, they host a holiday giving program that includes:

  • Monetary donations
  • Holiday stars – you have likely seen these at local businesses. They are holiday wishes from children served by the Sacramento Children’s Home that you can pull and fulfill.
  • Adopt a Family – families in the area that lack the resources to provide for themselves or their children during the holiday season have the ability to fill out a wish list, and individuals, organizations, and businesses like us are able to adopt the family and fulfill what they can from the wish list.

The attorneys and staff at our office collectively adopted 2 families this year, and we feel very fortunate that we were able to provide pots and pans, blenders, work boots, a play kitchen, and PLENTY of toys and Play-Doh to families in our community. We hope that these families and all other families this program assists had a holiday full of joy and hope!


The Sacramento Children’s Home accepts monetary donations, vehicle donations, and time donations (through volunteering) year-round, and we encourage you to keep them in mind when you are making philanthropic decisions in the coming year.

Wishing you a wonderful final few days of 2017, and we are looking forward to sharing more as we welcome 2018!


1. http://www.kidshome.org/about-us/

12/20/17

Our Efforts to Help Sacramento Youth Experiencing Homelessness

At Pollara Law Group, we are extremely thankful for many things. To kick off our holiday season this year, we hosted a donation drive at our office building for Wind Youth Services. Thanks to contributions from many people, we were able to provide the youth that Wind supports with clothing, jackets, sleeping bags, blankets, and personal/toiletry items.

Wind Youth Services is the only Sacramento-based organization that exclusively provides services to help youth experiencing homelessness. According to a recent study by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, 1 in 10 young adults (ages 18-25) and 1 in 30 adolescents (ages 13-17) “experience some form of homelessness over the course of a year.”1 These numbers can be hard to track and determine because youth in these situations often avoid documentation and social services, but according to Wind, with the help of donations and support from the community, their organization has been able to serve 8,000 youth in 2017 alone by providing various services. Some of the services that Wind provides are clothing, meals, counseling, shelter, and a safe space at their drop-in center for youth to seek refuge. Their mission statement is to “provide supportive services to youth experiencing homelessness as they pursue self-determined lives of stability and independence.”2

If you have items you no longer need or are looking to make a charitable donation, we encourage you to visit the Wind Youth Services website. This is an organization we believe is serving a valuable demographic in our community, and this particular group of individuals is otherwise underrepresented in organizations and services in Sacramento.

We hope your holiday season has been bright!


1. http://www.chapinhall.org
2. http://www.windyouth.org

12/14/17

Happy Holidays from PLG!

With Thanksgiving behind us and the holiday season in full swing, we wanted to take a moment to share our 2017 holiday card. We are thankful for everyone we are connected with and all who were a part of our year. As 2018 approaches, Pollara Law Group looks forward to making positive impacts big and small in our lives, the lives of those around us, and the community as a whole.

11/02/17

What to Know When the Medical Board Comes Calling

by Dominique A. Pollara, Esq.

There are few things more unnerving to physicians than when the Medical Board contacts you. This article is meant to provide basic information regarding preliminary contacts and proceedings between the California Medical Board and physicians. This article is general in nature and is not intended to establish an attorney-client relationship. Individuals are strongly encouraged to contact an attorney experienced in this area for specific legal advice.

Why did the Medical Board contact you?

The Medical Board rarely contacts a physician unless there is a problem. The contact commonly comes about because the Board has received a complaint from some source and the Board is either mandated to or decides for some reason to open an investigation. Complaints can come from a variety of sources including, for example, a patient, a family member of a patient, a pharmacy, a colleague, a co-worker, or a current or former employer.  In California, any professional liability insurer who settles a lawsuit on behalf of a physician for over $30,000.00 is mandated to report that settlement to the California Medical Board.  All settlements of any amount are reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank, which in turn will report these settlements to the California Medical Board; in those instances, while not mandatory, the Board may elect to investigate.

Complaint Processing

In many instances a complaint will be processed by the Central Complaint Unit at the Board. The complaint is processed by a “Consumer Services Analyst” who generates a letter to the physician advising of the complaint. In some instances the correspondence will be accompanied by a medical authorization form signed by the patient and demanding the pertinent medical records be produced.  (Business & Professions Code §§ 2225(e) and 2225.5) The time frame within which the records must be produced is extremely short; 15 days and a civil penalty of $1,000.00/day can be assessed if the records are not furnished. Generally the correspondence will invite the physician to provide a narrative summary of the care provided to the patient within a very short (and arbitrary) period of time; typically 14 to 21 days. While previously, requests for reasonable extensions to respond were freely granted, more frequently of late the Consumer Services Analyst will decline to do so absent extenuating circumstances; however the practice varies significantly between Analysts.

Seeking Counsel

It is important to take these communications from the Board extremely seriously; procrastination is not advised. It is recommended physicians seek professional help from an attorney skilled in Board matters for assistance. Many times a physician will have a rider on his or her malpractice policy providing some coverage for attorneys’ fees relative to these matters. Malpractice carriers can often offer recommendations or referrals to attorneys experienced in this area. (For example, see the California Academy of Attorneys for Health Care Professionals at caahcplaw.org.1)

The physician should work closely with counsel to generate an appropriate response to the Board. In California, the response does not have to be signed by the physician, but can come from counsel. This approach can be beneficial for evidentiary reasons if the Board pursues the matter further. However, the physician should review for accuracy any response sent to the Board.

Response Time

Although the Board requires physicians respond very quickly to their requests, the same does not hold true for the Board which can take weeks to months or even years to process the responsive documents once received.  Generally, once the Analyst collects the documents, they are forwarded to a medical board consultant, generally a physician, for review. The physician being investigated is not entitled to know the identity, or even the specialty, of the consultant. That consultant will recommend whether the complaint should be considered further or closed. The Board may or may not communicate these results to the physician and it is often difficult to obtain information on the status of any such investigation.

The Interview Process

On occasion, a physician may be contacted seemingly “out of the blue” by a Medical Board Investigator requesting a face to face interview. This request can come in writing, by phone, or even in person.  One of the biggest mistakes a physician can make is to make light of this request, to consider the request “no big deal.” Under no circumstances is it recommended that a physician speak with an Investigator informally or go to an interview with the Board without preparation or representation. 

It is important for physicians to know their rights and what to expect in the context of an investigative interview. While this list is not exhaustive, the following general information may be useful:

1. Physicians have the right to be represented in interviews with the Board. Be extremely wary of Board Investigators who try to dissuade you from bringing counsel with you or who minimize the significance of their request to speak with you. Medical Board investigators are not your friends.  Do not allow yourself to be persuaded to informally “chat” with them. Do not let them gain entrance into your home.

2. If you are approached by a Board Investigator, inform that Investigator you are willing to speak with them, but only with counsel present. Get the Investigator’s contact information and immediately contact your insurance carrier for assistance.

3. Interviews with the California Medical Board are typically attended by the Investigator assigned to the matter and a medical board consultant (a physician hired by the Board who rarely will be in the same specialty as the physician being interviewed). Sometimes, a Deputy Attorney General (the arm of the state of California that represents the Medical Board) also will attend the interview.

4. All interviews are recorded. You are entitled to a copy of the recording and should request one be provided at the time of the interview.

5. You will be asked to present a driver’s license or picture ID at the outset of the interview to verify your identity.

6. It is important to prepare carefully for the interview with your attorney. Be familiar with the records and care you provided. Review your records analytically and be prepared to address standard of care related concerns and issues.

7. If you do not have access to the records in advance of the interview for some reason, you are entitled to make an appointment with the Board Investigator to review the records at the Board’s office. You will not be permitted to make copies and you will not be entitled to see other parts of the Board investigative file.

8. Be prepared to be asked questions on a wide range of topics unrelated to the specific complaint underlying the investigation, including your health history, your use of alcohol and other substances, prescribed medications, mental health history, psychiatric and substance abuse related hospitalizations, criminal history, disciplinary history, and hospital credentialing and employment history. You will be asked to bring a current curriculum vitae and to discuss your education and provide explanations for any gaps in employment. If you have affirmative responses to any of these questions, make sure to discuss them with counsel before the interview so you and your attorney will be fully prepared.

9. Do not be defensive, dismissive or arrogant. Be respectful and polite. Dress appropriately and professionally. Do not lose your temper.

10. You have the right to take breaks to speak with counsel. If you feel yourself becoming agitated or angry, take a break.

11. You are not obligated to answer confusing or misleading questions. If a question is not clear, ask the questioner to clarify the question. Make sure you understand the question before you answer. Do not let the questioner put words in your mouth or rephrase your responses. You should discuss with counsel how to handle these situations in advance of the interview so you know how to proceed.

12. Do not guess or speculate if you do not know the answer to the question. Simply tell the questioner you do not know the answer. Understand you can face a charge of dishonesty if you intentionally lie to an Investigator.

13. Understand the Board is supposed to focus primarily on public safety. Be prepared to discuss your care and your decision making process. If there are ways your care could have been improved upon or if the event underlying the complaint has led to a change in your practice, be ready to discuss these issues thoughtfully and humbly. Discuss these issues in advance with counsel so you are prepared.

What happens after the interview?

Once the interview is over, the recording of the interview and the records will be sent to a medical board consultant in the physician’s specialty for review and a recommendation as to whether the case should be referred to the Attorney General’s office for further action. Typically, the Investigator will send a letter to the physician once that determination is made either informing the physician the investigation has been closed or that it is being referred to the Attorney General’s office.  Generally, a letter advising the matter has been referred will mean the physician should expect an Accusation will be filed leading to a formal disciplinary process. It goes without saying that this is not a positive development. If a physician has gotten to this point in the process without having engaged counsel, now would be a good time to do so.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not meant to provide specific legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship with the reader. Please consult your malpractice carrier and/or an attorney experienced in this area of the law. 

Dominique A. Pollara, Esq.
Pollara Law Group
3600 American River Dr., Ste. 160
Sacramento, CA 95864
Office: (916) 550-5880

To print this article, please click here.


1. Ms. Pollara has been a member of CAAHCP since 2013.

10/25/17

The American College of Trial Lawyers

PLG is proud and honored to announce that Dominique Pollara has been inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers! On September 16th, 2017 in Montréal, Québec, Dominique was named a Fellow of this highly-esteemed organization.

Dominique is pictured front and center in black and gold.

Press release:

DOMINIQUE POLLARA, ESQ. ADMITTED TO AMERICAN COLLEGE OF TRIAL LAWYERS

Dominique Pollara has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America.

The induction ceremony at which Dominique Pollara became a Fellow took place recently before an audience of 900 persons during the recent 2017 Annual Meeting of the College in Montréal, Québec.

Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship.

Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States and Canada, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction) and Honorary Fellows. The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings. The College is thus able to speak with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice.

Dominique Pollara is a partner in the firm of Pollara Law Group and has been practicing in Sacramento for 23 years. The newly inducted Fellow is an alumna of Vermont School of Law.

When asked about the American College of Trial Lawyers, Dominique said “I am truly honored and humbled to be inducted as a Fellow of the College. The warm welcome I received in Montreal was amazing.”


10/13/17

Welcome to the PLG blog!

With over 30 combined years practicing, the attorneys at Pollara Law Group have knowledge and experience in all areas of medical malpractice defense. It is our goal with launching this blog to provide information and tips within this niche that our attorneys have learned and encountered along the way. Additionally, we hope to give you all a little more insight into who we are as a firm. We are dedicated to providing our clients with the best representation possible, but outside of depositions and court rooms, we are also determined to make a positive impact on our community here in Sacramento. We look forward to sharing with you.