Latest post

Insurance

MSHA Offering Dust Monitor Certification Courses

Beginning Feb. 1, 2016, mine operators must use Continuous Personal Dust Monitors to sample for respirable coal mine dust on working sections of underground coal mines. The courses are required for personnel who sample, maintain or calibrate CPDMs.

headlines

Set Sail with Safety First

According to the statistics, the number one contributing factor in boating accidents is operator inattention. The second most important factor is operator inexperience. National Safe Boating Month, serves as an important time to remind everyone to make safety a priority, whether you own a vessel, personal watercraft such as a jet ski or wave runner, or […]

Mascio v. Colvin: Disability Benefits Appeals

Mascio v. Colvin, an appeal from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, involved claimant who applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the Social Security Administration (SSA) denied her claim for benefits. Claimant based her request for disability benefits on the fact she suffers from a degenerative disc disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and an adjustment disorder. Adjustment disorder is a psychological illness related to stress that makes it difficult for patients to engage in normal social situations or workplace situations. She had a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), who determined claimant was not disabled. Claimant timely appealed this decision, and the appellate court reversed ALJ’s decision and remanded the case for a new hearing before a different ALJ.

Personal Injury

Insurers’ proposals for further reform to the PI sector

The Association of British Insurers’ website recently set out its top 10 insurance and savings priorities for the next parliamentary session. The most striking of these for personal injury lawyers is the proposal for “Modernising the civil justice system to get compensation to claimants rather than lawyers.” The ABI fleshes this out by suggesting increasing the small claims track limit for PI claims, considering a reduction in the current 3-year limitation period and using fixed legal fees to address the rise in industrial deafness claims and ensuring people suffering from asbestos related conditions get compensation quicker. Another of the ABI proposals which would also affect the PI sector is a proposal for “Cracking down on the behaviour of Claims Management Companies” by requiring them to…

High Court weighs excessive force against accused not yet convicted of crimes

04/29/2015 // West Palm Beach, Florida, US // JusticeNewsFlash // Justice News Flash // (press release) Washington – The Supreme Court is hearing a case that calls into question the limits on the use of excessive force for inmates who are awaiting trial, and have not been convicted of any crime. The Associated Press (AP) states the issue at hand in the case is whether individuals who file legal claims against jail guards based on alleged mistreatment are required to show there was intentional or reckless use of excessive force, as opposed to simply being unreasonable. The case pertains to an incident involving a man who says two jail officers used excessive force when transferring him to another cell. The man, Michael Kingsley, was jailed on drug charges and awaiting trial at…

Stark & Stark Attorney Elected to the Board of Directors of One Simple Wish

Stark & Stark is proud to announce that Bryan M. Roberts, Esq. has been elected to the Board of Directors of One Simple Wish. “To me, there is nothing greater than giving an innocent child hope, help and happiness.” Mr. Roberts said of his appointment. “One Simple Wish is an extraordinary organization that has given hope, help and happiness to the most vulnerable members of our local, state and national communities. I am very proud to join One Simple Wish and further their mission.” The not-for-profit is active in 48 states and provides small wishes to children who are in foster care or have been abused and neglected. Stark & Stark is a presenting sponsor of the Mercer County Park’s Spring…

Insurance

DOL Provides $150 Million for Expanded Job Training

The money is available through the new Sector Partnerships National Emergency Grant program.

headlines

Inspections Expose Unsafe Product Imports

The United States Department of Justice recently filed a product liability lawsuit in federal court against Toys Distribution Inc., BLI Apparel Inc., All Seasons Sales Inc. and S&J Merchandise Inc., as well as six of the owners and managers of the…By: Howard Ankin

headlines

Understanding Employee Rights in Colorado

Colorado has a lot going for its citizens including ranking fourth in 2014 for being a great place to work based on factors like employment rate, average salary, cost of living and workplace conditions. So what other factors should you be concerned about if you work in the Centennial State? Employee rights come to mind because no matter how good your job, being prepared with the right information regarding workplace laws is a smart idea. Listed below are some areas to consider about Colorado work laws and their impact on your rights and job expectations. Non-Discrimination Hiring, Firing and Harassment Laws, and Job Termination Employers cannot use information about place of birth, age, race, disability, sex, marital status, sexual orientation or family-planning decisions to conduct the …

Social Security

Camp on centre’s social security schemes in Bidar – The Hindu

Camp on centre's social security schemes in BidarThe HinduBhagwant Khuba, MP, will inaugurate a mega camp to create awareness about Union government's social security measures in the Rang Mandir in Bidar on May 9 at 4 p.m.. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech will be beamed on the screen. Information …

Insurance

Hotel Soap and Shampoo Manufacturer Cited for Chemical and Fire Hazards

OSHA found that Marietta Corp. and its staffing agency violated safety standards.

headlines

Freehand Line-Drawing in Affirmance of Huge Verdict in Children’s Motrin/TEN Case

A couple of days ago, we watched the lovely “St. Vincent.” The film stars a spot-on Bill Murray as Vincent, an unemployed curmudgeon living alone in an otherwise tidy residential neighborhood. Disrepair has turned Vincent’s house into an eyesore….By: Reed Smith