Vanessa Cardenas

Education

California State University, Northridge
- B.A. in Deaf Studies
Lassen High School

Experience

Languages

Vanessa Cardenas was born and raised in Susanville, California and attended Lassen High School. She moved to the Bay Area in 2018 after graduating from California State University, Northridge with a B.A. in Deaf Studies.

Vanessa worked for Hayward Unified School District as a paraeducator for close to five years before making the shift from education to the legal field. She has previously worked as a legal assistant with a focus in unlawful detainer cases.

Vanessa is bilingual in Spanish and English and also knows American Sign Language.

Education

California State University, Northridge
- B.A. in Deaf Studies
Lassen High School

Experience

Languages

Real Results For Real Clients

Our results reflect the dedication, strategy, and relentless advocacy we bring to every case we handle.

Elder Abandonment & Wrongful Death - Home Care Negligence

A 92-year-old dementia patient died after his contracted home care provider failed to send a caregiver on a scheduled weekend. He suffered a fall and lay undiscovered for nearly three days, sustaining broken ribs, a torn rotator cuff, and severe dehydration. The provider’s representative later acknowledged that the lapse was due to a scheduling error. Our firm brought claims for elder abuse and abandonment, medical negligence, breach of contract, and wrongful death, with punitive damages sought for the reckless nature of the conduct.

Dependent Adult Neglect & Wrongful Death - Psychiatric Facility

A young man involuntarily committed to a locked psychiatric facility with documented safety concerns died after staff failed to conduct required 15-minute observation checks for over two hours. Video evidence contradicted the facility's Patient Observation Records, which had been signed, including entries made after the patient's time of death, suggesting deliberate falsification. Our firm brought claims for medical and nursing negligence, dependent adult abuse, falsification of medical records, intentional misrepresentation, and wrongful death, with punitive damages sought against all defendants.

Wrongful Death - Fatal Shooting

A woman was fatally shot at close range by a neighbor who approached her vehicle without provocation. The shooter was arrested and charged with homicide. Our firm alleged that the shooter's mother knew of her daughter's violent history and mental instability and negligently allowed her access to a firearm. We also sought a constructive trust over real property proceeds believed to have been transferred to conceal assets after the shooting. Claims included wrongful death, assault and battery, negligent supervision, and exemplary damages.

Road Rage - Assault, Battery & Motor Vehicle

Three plaintiffs were violently attacked after pulling over to inspect damage caused by a company-owned vehicle that cut them off in traffic. The driver punched two plaintiffs repeatedly, knocking one unconscious twice, and physically restrained a third to prevent her from calling police. One plaintiff required multiple surgeries; all three developed PTSD. Our firm brought claims against both the driver and the corporate vehicle owner for motor vehicle negligence, assault and battery, emotional distress, and negligent entrustment, with punitive damages sought.

Aviation Accident - Personal Injury & PTSD

A client survived a small plane crash caused by complete engine failure and was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD, requiring specialized therapy that consisted of psychotherapy and supportive care. Following the crash, a third party sent a private investigator to the client's home and pressured her to sign a liability release, which she declined. Our firm established liability under both general negligence and Res Ipsa Loquitur, and submitted a demand exceeding $400,000, well beyond the defendant's insurance policy limits, for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.

Skilled Nursing Facility Neglect - Elder Death (San Mateo County)

Our client's elderly husband was admitted to two skilled nursing facilities for post-surgical rehabilitation following a serious spinal condition and cancer diagnosis. During his first placement, he was left unattended and suffered a catastrophic fall in the bathroom, sustaining a traumatic brain injury that required emergency brain surgery. After transfer to a second facility for continued recovery, staff failed to reposition him regularly, resulting in pressure ulcers, a recognized "never event" in professional healthcare settings. He was routinely left in soiled linens, denied adequate nourishment, and his surgical wound became severely infected. He passed away weeks later. The facility's corporate management had a documented history of staffing deficiencies and regulatory citations from the California Department of Public Health, yet failed to correct systemic understaffing before our client's admission. Claims include negligence, elder abuse and neglect, elder abandonment, wrongful death, and medical and corporate negligence.

Skilled Nursing Facility Neglect - Elder Death (San Mateo County)

Our clients lost their family member, a 79-year-old man who had been admitted to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation following multiple neck fractures. He also had a surgically implanted cardiac assist device requiring specialized daily care. The facility represented to the family that its staff was trained and equipped to manage this device. In reality, staff had no established protocol for proper device maintenance. Within days of admission, the device's exit site had not been cleaned at all; when staff attempted cleaning, they used incorrect techniques and materials. Despite explicit medical directives from the referring hospital, the facility failed to apply prescribed wound care, monitor the worsening infection, or alert the family and treating physicians. The attending physician made identical chart entries for thirteen consecutive days without conducting actual physical examinations, a pattern that concealed the rapid progression of a life-threatening infection. Pressure ulcers were also discovered after transfer, confirming the patient had not been repositioned throughout his stay. He died of sepsis. Claims include negligence, elder abuse and neglect, elder abandonment, negligent hiring and retention, wrongful death, and medical and corporate negligence.

Skilled Nursing Facility Neglect - Non-Death Elder Abuse (San Bernardino County)

Our client, a resident of a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, suffered repeated and ongoing neglect during her stay. She was denied adequate hygiene and assistance with basic activities of daily living for extended periods. On one occasion, facility staff discovered maggots in her toe, a finding documented on video, resulting from prolonged wound neglect. Following this incident, she alleges she was not showered for approximately three months. Additionally, her care plan required two staff members to assist with repositioning due to her medical needs. Despite this documented requirement, a single staff member attempted to change her unassisted, causing her to fall from the bed. She was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The conduct reflects a pattern of custodial neglect that continued even after documented incidents. Claims include negligence, elder abuse and neglect, and elder abandonment.

Motor Vehicle Negligence / Wrongful Death - Commercial Truck (Sonoma County)

Our clients lost their family member when an intoxicated commercial truck driver ran a red light at highway speed and struck the decedent's vehicle as he was making a lawful left turn. The driver was employed by a tree services company and was operating a commercial truck and trailer weighing over 35,000 pounds at the time of the crash. The employing company had prior knowledge of the driver's history of driving under the influence, yet failed to conduct required background checks, implement a driver safety policy, or test the driver for drugs or alcohol before entrusting him with the vehicle. The driver was subsequently found to have been driving under the influence in violation of California Vehicle Code and Penal Code provisions. Claims include motor vehicle negligence, general negligence/wrongful death, negligent entrustment, negligent hiring and retention, and a claim for exemplary/punitive damages based on the driver's conscious disregard for human life.

Motor Vehicle Negligence / Personal Injury - Bicycle Collision (San Francisco County)

Our client, a cyclist, was lawfully traveling in a designated bicycle lane when a vehicle made an unsafe right turn directly into his path, striking him without warning. The driver failed to yield and made an unsafe lane change in violation of California Vehicle Code section 22107. The vehicle's owner, who had permitted an incompetent driver to operate the vehicle, is also named as a defendant on a negligent entrustment theory. Our client sustained serious injuries including severe lower back and neck pain, hand injuries, and a concussion. Claims include motor vehicle negligence, general negligence, and negligent entrustment.

Premises Liability / Slip and Fall

Our client was injured after slipping on a food spill left unattended on the floor of a major grocery store, with no warning signs posted to alert customers of the hazard. The fall caused our client to suffer a left knee laceration, back injury, and hip pain, ultimately requiring emergency room treatment, X-rays, multiple physician visits, prescription pain management, and months of physical therapy. Our client, who led an active lifestyle prior to the incident, experienced significant disruption to daily activities, sleep, and ability to work. We pursued a claim against the store's insurer on the basis of premises liability, duty to warn, and negligence per se under California Civil Code Section 1714, arguing the property owner failed to maintain safe conditions for customers. The matter resulted in a demand for both special and general damages, including past and future medical costs and compensation for pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life.

Wrongful Death and Systemic Neglect of a Post-Surgical Dependent Adult

A dependent adult in her mid-50s was admitted to a skilled nursing facility following brain surgery, with documented complex medical needs including diabetes, seizure disorder, and post-surgical wound care. The facility allegedly failed her on multiple fronts over the course of her 31-day stay, including routine failure to administer prescribed medications, falsification of medical records, failure to monitor vital signs and blood glucose levels, neglect of wound care orders, and failure to track fluid intake and output. The patient developed severe dehydration that went unaddressed despite warning signs, and died after staff delayed acting on a physician's urgent lab order by more than six hours. The complaint alleges dependent adult abuse and neglect, negligence, financial abuse through improper Medicare/Medi-Cal billing, violation of resident rights, and wrongful death.

Motor Vehicle Accident / Personal Injury

Our client was lawfully traveling on a California state highway when another driver executed an unsafe lane change, striking our client's vehicle at highway speed and causing it to flip and overturn. Our client was forced to crawl out of the overturned vehicle and was transported to an emergency room for immediate evaluation. Following the collision, our client suffered persistent headaches, cognitive difficulties, and post-concussive syndrome requiring months of follow-up care, including multiple advanced brain imaging studies that revealed abnormal findings requiring ongoing neurological monitoring. Liability was well-supported by the responding law enforcement agency's official report, which cited the at-fault driver for an unsafe lane change in violation of California Vehicle Code. Our firm pursued a demand against the at-fault driver's insurer for both past and future medical expenses and general damages for pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life. The total demand issued was $151,394.24.

Common Carrier Negligence & Wrongful Death

This complex wrongful death litigation involves a catastrophic incident where a public transit passenger suffered fatal injuries due to a common carrier’s failure to provide safe passage and maintain its equipment. Representing [The Successor in Interest], our firm filed a Third Amended Complaint alleging that the public transportation agency breached its heightened duty of care by providing unsafe transit conditions and failing to adhere to essential safety protocols. Our legal strategy focuses on securing accountability through both a survival action and a wrongful death claim, aggressively pursuing general and economic damages, including funeral expenses and the loss of financial support and companionship, to address the systemic safety failures of the public entity and secure justice for the decedent’s family.

DUI-Related Rear-End Collision

In this matter involving a high-speed rear-end collision caused by a driver operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, our firm represents [The Targeted Motorist] in seeking justice for severe physical and psychological harm. We issued a comprehensive settlement demand that highlights the defendant's egregious violation of multiple traffic safety laws, including speeding and following too closely while impaired. By meticulously documenting our client’s medical journey, ranging from emergency intervention to specialized pain management for spinal and nerve trauma, we are demanding a recovery that acknowledges the indisputable liability of the intoxicated driver and the substantial physical and emotional toll the incident has taken on our client.

Multi-Plaintiff Family Injury & Emotional Distress

Our firm represents [The Affected Family] in a multi-plaintiff claim arising from a violent rear-end collision that occurred while the family was lawfully stopped at a traffic light. The impact resulted in physical injuries to all four family members, including minor children, and prompted significant claims for the negligent infliction of emotional distress. We initiated a strategic, global settlement demand that addresses the unique damages suffered by each family member, emphasizing the defendant’s clear breach of the duty of care. By consolidating medical records and documenting the psychological impact on the children, our firm is advocating for a comprehensive resolution that covers both immediate medical needs and the long-term emotional recovery of the entire family unit.

Commercial Vehicle Liability & Negligence Per Se

This case involves a T-bone collision where a large commercial construction vehicle negligently reversed into the flow of traffic, causing severe spinal injuries to [The Impacted Commuter]. Our firm is pursuing a claim based on negligence per se, arguing that the commercial operator’s failure to maintain a proper lookout and adhere to professional safety protocols constituted an inherent breach of duty. We are aggressively targeting the commercial insurance policy to secure maximum recovery for our client’s specialized medical care and diagnostic imaging costs, highlighting the heightened responsibility of commercial entities when operating heavy equipment on public roadways and the devastating impact such negligence has on private motorists.

Surgical Medical Malpractice & Recovery

In a significant medical malpractice matter, our firm represents [The Injured Patient], who sustained second and third-degree thermal burns during a routine surgical biopsy. The injuries occurred because a surgical instrument was not properly cooled following sterilization in an autoclave, a clear breach of the standard of professional care. Although the facility initially admitted fault, they failed to provide adequate compensation, prompting our firm to step in and document the extensive wound care and professional time missed by our client. We are focused on securing a settlement that fully accounts for the client’s physical pain, the nearly year-long healing process, and the significant impact this preventable surgical error had on their personal well-being and retirement planning.

Meet the People Behind the Results

A focused team of attorneys and legal professionals dedicated to guiding victims and their families through the complexities of injury lawsuits and insurance claims. We deliver strategic advocacy, personalized attention, and meaningful results across a wide range of cases, from motor vehicle accidents to elder abuse, slip-and-falls, and wrongful death. With diverse backgrounds in fields such as firefighting, social work, and emergency medicine, our team takes a collaborative, case-by-case approach—carefully evaluating each situation to provide the insight, support, and representation you need.

Managing attorney

D.L. Rencher, Esq.

Trial attorney focused on complex injury litigation. He represents individuals and families in high-stakes cases involving serious harm, wrongful death, and insurance misconduct, approaching each matter with disciplined preparation and strategic focus.

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Senior Associate

Kai Thordarson Esq.

Our Team Works Together To Fight For You Kai Thordarson Email me kthordarson@rencherlawgroup.com (415) 900-1566 Biography Kai Thordarson, Esq. is from Camarillo, California, where he grew up on an avocado farm and attended Adolfo Camarillo High School.Mr. Thordarson attended University of California, Santa Cruz, where he attained magna cum laude honors and got his degree

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Case Manager/Paralegal

Krystal Chan

Krystal Chan is an experienced Paralegal with a little over 10 years in the legal field.

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Office Manager

Rica Sian

Rica Sian serves as the Office Manager at Rencher Law Group, P.C., where she oversees the firm’s day-to-day operations, accounting, bookkeeping, human resources, and administrative functions. With over 10 years of office management experience and more than 5 years as an HR Director, she plays an integral role in maintaining the efficiency and organization of the firm.

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Legal Intern

Kate Le

Kate Le is a dedicated legal intern who has been with our firm since her sophomore year of high school. Currently a junior, she continues to expand her knowledge of the legal field while gaining hands-on experience.

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Legal Assistant

Vanessa Cardenas

Vanessa Cardenas is a bilingual Legal Assistant with a background in education, unlawful detainer matters, and client support. She speaks Spanish and English and also knows American Sign Language.

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If you or a loved one has been affected by an accident or negligence, our team is ready to listen, evaluate your case, and guide you through your next steps with clarity and confidence.