Ordinarily, a ruling handed down by the Supreme Court of Florida will find its way into the law books with little fanfare and in relative anonymity. Such a fate was not in store for Olmstead v. FTC, wherein the Court held that a person who...
If you have ever elected to purchase uninsured (or underinsured) motorist (UM) coverage with your automobile insurance policy, you were likely asked if you would like to “stack” the coverage. In many instances, after hearing a brief explanation, many insureds answer the question even though...
In a move aimed at combating abuse and neglect in the nation’s long-term care facilities, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded more than $13 million on October 6, 2010, to six states to design comprehensive applicant criminal background check programs for jobs...
When it comes to personal insurance, some people are content with their standard automobile and homeowners’ (or renters’) insurance policies. Others, however, believe additional insurance is necessary to adequately protect their interests. Whether these people are naturally more risk averse, or they understand that an...
The halls have been decked, and employees have donned their gay apparel; everyone appears to be in good cheer at the office holiday party, held on a Saturday night at an off-site location. But there's a problem: some employees are passing around "gag" gifts, items...
Do employers have seven days to notify the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of a work-related incident that has resulted in the death of an employee? No. All employers covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 are required to notify the Occupational Safety...
One of my employees, after alleging that a popular supervisor sexually harassed her, has also claimed to have been repeatedly harassed by several coworkers angry at her for filing a complaint against this supervisor, with whom they are friends. Could the coworkers' actions lead to...
If an employer has 13 full-time employees, each of whom works 40 hours per week, and 10 part-time employees, each of whom works 20 hours per week, can this employer qualify as a “small-employer plan” under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)? Yes. After a...
What is the difference between directors and officers of a small condominium association and those of a million dollar company? Oftentimes, the differences are found in levels of experience and expertise, and in the large salaries and stock options. In the eyes of the law,...
Is lawyers' professional liability insurance necessary for a small law firm? Professional liability insurance is vital for all law firms, no matter the size or the nature of the law firm’s practice. Lawyers’ professional liability insurance covers direct loss and expense to a lawyer or law...