SSF IS in the news
Center for Health Journalism | Jun 13, 2025 | Years after fatal crash, mother awaits change on Highway 9
A treacherous stretch of Highway 9 remains a primary concern for local residents years after a fatal crash claimed the life of a young man. Despite persistent advocacy and evidence of dangerous road conditions, Caltrans has yet to implement the structural safety modifications necessary to prevent future tragedies, leaving a grieving mother still fighting for accountability and systemic change. Read the story here.
Lookout Santa Cruz| Sept 17, 2024 | Jury rules against Jimmy Dutra in civil sex abuse case
A Santa Cruz County jury has delivered a verdict finding Watsonville City Councilmember Jimmy Dutra liable for the sexual abuse of a minor. The civil trial, which drew significant attention across the region, focused on allegations dating back decades, ultimately holding the public official legally responsible for the historical misconduct. Read the story here.
KSBW Action News 8 | September 17, 2024 | Jimmy Dutra ordered to pay over $1.1M in sex abuse case
Watsonville City Councilmember Jimmy Dutra has been ordered to pay more than $1.1 million in damages following a civil sexual abuse lawsuit. The jury’s decision on the financial award follows a finding of liability, marking a significant conclusion to the legal pursuit of justice for the survivor. Watch the news story here.
Register Pajaronian | September 17, 2024 | Jimmy Dutra found liable in sex abuse case
Following a high-profile civil trial, a jury has found local official Jimmy Dutra liable for sexual abuse involving a relative that occurred years ago. The verdict provides a resolution to a legal battle that has sparked intense community discussion regarding accountability and the bravery of survivors coming forward after years of silence. Read the story here.
Good Times Santa Cruz | Feb 23, 2023 | Caltrans Liable in Hwy 9 Death
Caltrans has been held liable for a fatal accident on Highway 9 after a court determined the state agency allowed a dangerous condition to persist on public property. The ruling emphasizes the state’s legal responsibility to maintain safe roadways and provides a measure of justice for the family of a local man killed due to preventable infrastructure hazards. Read the story here.
Register Pajaronian | November 25, 2020 | Family of COVID-19 death victim suing Watsonville Post Acute Nursing Home Center after deadly virus outbreak
The family of a resident who died during a deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the Watsonville Post-Acute Center is suing the facility for negligence and wrongful death. The lawsuit alleges that the nursing home failed to implement adequate safety protocols and infection controls, leading to an avoidable spread of the virus that devastated the resident population. Read the story here.
KSBW Action News 8 | September 20, 2018 | Doctors must notify patients if they’ve had misconduct
California has implemented a new law requiring physicians to inform their patients if they have been disciplined for sexual misconduct or other serious professional failures. This legislation marks a significant shift in patient rights, ensuring that individuals are aware of a doctor’s past history before undergoing medical procedures or treatments. Watch the news story here.
KSBW Action News 8 | August 30, 2018 | Salinas doctor pleads no contest to groping patient, gives up license to practice medicine
A doctor in Salinas has surrendered his license to practice medicine and pleaded no contest to criminal charges involving the groping of a patient. The legal resolution follows an investigation into professional misconduct, ensuring the physician can no longer treat patients in the state after violating his position of trust. Watch the news story here.
The Californian | August 29, 2018 | DA: Salinas doctor pleads guilty to touching sedated patient’s breasts
Dr. Robert Wlodarczyk has pleaded guilty to sexual assault after placing his hands on a sedated patient’s breasts following a medical procedure at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital. The District Attorney’s office detailed the criminal misconduct, which occurred while the victim was in a vulnerable state and unable to defend herself in a hospital setting. Read the story here.
The Monterey County Weekly | August 30, 2018 | A Salinas doctor gives up license as part of a plea, avoids registering as sex offender
A Salinas cardiologist pleaded ‘no contest’ on August 29, 2018 to a single misdemeanor count that he groped a patient that was sedated and undergoing procedure at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital. In exchange for the plea to a count of committing a lewd act in public, physician Robert Wlodarczyk permanently surrendered his license to practice medicine. Read the story here.
KSBW Action News 8 | March 30, 2018 | Salinas doctor charged with battery against patient
A Salinas physician has been formally charged with sexual battery following an investigation into a reported incident at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital. The charges stem from allegations that a patient was touched inappropriately while in a vulnerable state following a surgical procedure, prompting a legal investigation by the District Attorney’s office. Watch the news story here.
The Monterey Herald | October 29, 2016 | An all too familiar story of child sexual abuse: When a ‘neighbor’ can’t be trusted
She doesn’t remember exactly how old she was when the neighbor, a 50-year-old man, began playing a game with her he called “goosebumps.” It’s a blur to her how the games escalated until he began fondling her, touching her beneath her underwear and sexually assaulting her, according to Mari’s narrative and court documents. Read the story here.
The Mercury News | February 9, 2016 | Jury awards $1.12 million in civil suit against former Oakland firefighter
Two women who say they were molested by a former Oakland firefighter, and sued him in civil court, broke down into tears when a jury returned a verdict in their favor on Tuesday, awarding them a total of $1.12 million. Read the story here.
Contra Costa Times | June 28, 2013 | Antioch Abuse Victim Awarded $530,000 Decades After She Says She Was Assaulted as a Child
$530,000 jury verdict for 48 year old woman who was sexaully groped in 2011 by 82 year old man who molested her when she was a child. Read the story here.
American Red Cross | May 8, 2013 | Santa Cruz Law Firm Donates New Tow Truck to Chapter
Law firm purchases and donates new tow truck for local American Red Cross chapter. Read the story here.
Santa Cruz Sentinel | May 26, 2012 | Ocean St. Projects
Details into the “green” remodeling of CSFW’s new law firm. Read the story here.
Santa Cruz Sentinel | May 22, 2012 | City budges on Safety
SANTA CRUZ — Two years to the day after a bicyclist fell crossing the Beach Street railroad tracks in a dedicated bike lane, the city agreed on Tuesday as part of a settlement to re-configure the lanes. Read the story here.
Santa Cruz Sentinel | May 16, 2012 | Elementary Law
SANTA CRUZ — See how attorney Laura Walthers runs an elementary law program to familiarize 5th-graders with the legal system: today, it is the case of a lunchroom cookie caper. Read the story here.
Santa Cruz Sentinel | January 23rd, 2012 | Praiseworthy
SANTA CRUZ — Scott Haines thinks every kid should try out “Cookie Cutter Court.” Read the story here.
Santa Cruz Sentinel | December 13, 2011 | Kind gestures
CAPITOLA — Attorney Laura Walthers seeks to add more of a “human element” to a case concluded five months previous. After Laura reaches out to the teenager involved in the accident, he decides to deliver meals to the widower. Read the story here.
Santa Cruz Sentinel | January 12, 2011 | Council rejects cyclist’s claim, but wants a safety study
SANTA CRUZ — The City Council on Tuesday rejected a $100,000 claim from a Capitola woman who fell off her bicycle at what she calls a dangerous intersection of a bike lane and railroad tracks in front of the Boardwalk. Read the story here.
Santa Cruz Sentinel | August 19th, 2010 | Taser Lawsuit
SANTA CRUZ — A Watsonville man permanently injured after he was shocked with a Taser nearly four years ago reached a $2.8 million settlement. Read the story here.
November 6th, 2008 (PDF File) | Tased and Confused
Article about a Watsonville man who’s family claimed a stun gun stopped his heart which resulted in brain damage. Read the story here.
Santa Cruz Sentinel | June 6th, 2006 | Founding of CSFW
Lawyers are known for socializing on the golf course, but here in Santa Cruz, surfer chat is what led to this legal deal. Harold Cartwright, G. Dana Scruggs, David Fulton and Laura Walther, all of whom specialize in personal injury cases, formed the partnership, SS&F, as of June 1, 2006. Read the story here.