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New Hampshire Storm Recovery: Is it Safe to go Back to the Office?

The year 2012 was not kind to the Northeast. Many buildings were damaged by severe weather, leaving property owners with the task of clearing up damage from wind and water. Hurricane Sandy brought flying debris, shattered windows, and flooded buildings, causing clear structural damage. Some of the damage is less obvious; flood-waters can introduce mold and other contaminants into buildings and cause electrical issues. If a damaged building is not fully repaired before work resumes, employees can get hurt.

Property Owners and Premises Liability

New Hampshire closely follows other jurisdictions in setting the liability that property owners have to individuals on their land. In New Hampshire, property owners have a general duty to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. This duty includes a duty to warn persons about hazardous conditions on the land and take action to protect them from reasonably foreseeable harm. A failure to warn about the defect, remedy the defect, or act reasonably will render the property owner liable for any injuries that result. Unlike other states, New Hampshire does not distinguish between invitees, licensees, and trespassers.

This distinction largely applies to guests, first responders, and other people who are not employees. If a non-employee is injured as a result of a condition on the land, injury lawyers NH can guide them as the above test applies. If the owner did not provide an adequate warning to the non-employee about the hazard and if the owner did not repair the harm, the property owner will be liable for the non-employee’s injuries. Injuries to employees are different; they are not normally handled through the tort system.

Workers’ Compensation

When an employee is injured at work, the employee will be compensated for his or her injuries through the state’s workers’ compensation program. This applies whether the injury was a cut from broken glass, electrical shock from a shorting outlet, blunt force trauma from a physically collapsing structure, or a long-term illness arising from exposure to mold. The nature of the injury matters little; if it was incurred while acting within the course and scope of one’s employment, it will be covered.

Workers’ compensation in New Hampshire offers injured parties a variety of benefits. In all cases, the employer will pay the employee’s medical costs including hospital care and rehabilitative costs. Employees are entitled to 60 percent of their wages if they are unable to perform any work. If the injured claimant can perform some light work, the injured claimant will be entitled to 60 percent of the difference between his or her old salary and his or her new salary. Claimants receiving full disability benefits, no Social Security Benefits and less than 60 percent of New Hampshire’s average wage are also entitled to a cost of living adjustment after three years.

Not all workers’ compensation claims are paid immediately. If the insurer believes that more documentation will be necessary, the insurer may delay payment until it is satisfied or deny an otherwise legitimate claim. If a legitimate claim is denied or if the insurer is making frivolous requests, contacting the state’s Department of Labor and lodging a complaint may resolve the situation. Those employees not covered under workers’ compensation should consult with a personal injury attorney to discuss options for recovering compensation. A lawsuit for negligence may be possible.

Ann Bailey has formerly reported for daily news outlets and offers these distinctions to help anyone injured while at an office in New Hampshire. Tenn And Tenn, PA are injury lawyers NH that represent clients for maximum recovery of their wages and benefits lost because of their office and other work injuries.

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Business Delivery Service: What Happens When there’s an Accident?

Home delivery is a convenient feature for consumers and a competitive advantage for businesses. Many small businesses offer home delivery to make consumption easier for customers. Unfortunately, time on the roads results in greater exposure to severe weather, poor drivers, and other traffic hazards. When an accident occurs on one of the deliveries, businesses should take preventative action to avoid liability. This is the case regardless of whether the employee was at fault. Failure to do so may lead to a frivolous claim.

Determine Whether the Employee Is Injured

Avoiding liability is important, but the health and safety of all employees comes first. Money and company vehicles can be replaced; life cannot be easily replaced. If the accident was sufficient to disable or severely damage the vehicle, the employee may be injured. If the employee is injured, he or she will probably be receiving medical attention by the time the restaurant owner is notified of the incident; if not, encourage the employee to visit a doctor for an examination.

If an employee is injured, determine whether the employee is able to come back to work relatively soon. If the employee will be unable to return to work at his or her full capacity, provide the employee with the appropriate paperwork to file for workers’ compensation. The forms will provide the employer with legal notice of the injury and an application for workers’ compensation. The employer will need to fill out its own workers’ compensation form, OWC-8, and submit it to the Department of Employment Services no longer than 10 days after receiving knowledge of the employee’s injury.

Collect As Much Documentation As Possible

In any accident in which the worker was not at fault, it is still possible that the other driver will attempt to file a lawsuit of some type. In these cases, documentation will be key to thwarting the plaintiff. Collect police reports, the employee’s driving history, and any other documentation relevant to the collision. The insurance company will want a copy of the police report unless the at-fault party admits liability.

Repair Or Replace The Damaged Vehicle

If the accident involved a delivery vehicle owned by the restaurant, replacing the vehicle in a timely manner is important. The vehicle is an important revenue generating asset. Begin the claims process as soon as is practical. Alternatively, contact the business’ insurance provider and file a claim with them; this may result in a quicker replacement of the vehicle, but may also result in increased rates. Discuss the matter thoroughly with the business’ insurance provider before filing a claim with them. Do not admit fault to either insurer.

Protect Yourself with Legal Counsel

If the other driver was at fault, a car accident lawyer will be useful in warding off frivolous claims. Automobile accidents involving commercial drivers can involve claims against the business, regardless of whether the business or the driver was actually at fault. Plaintiffs will sue the driver and the business, arguing that the business is vicariously liable for the driver’s perceived negligence. Additionally, plaintiffs will allege negligence on the part of the business, usually under the theory that the business owner failed to train the employee in proper driving procedures, failed to supervise the employee while driving, failed to verify the driver’s record, or other numerous theories of liability.

If an employee is involved in a collision while acting within the course and scope of his or her employment, businesses should prepare for a workers’ compensation claim and even a civil lawsuit. If the other driver feels that he or she was not at fault or if the other driver simply believes that he or she can get quick money with a frivolous claim, mounting a legal defense may be necessary. If an accident occurs, ensure that the employee is well, document the incident, and seek advice from legal counsel.

With small business owners in mind, Ann Bailey shares these helpful steps for coping with an employee work-related traffic accident. The Virginia car accident lawyer group at Price Benowitz LLP is on hand in the greater D.C. area to assist any client’s delivery business against frivolous claims in the event of a driver collision.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/therichbrooks/4090669986/

When Office Conditions Are Hazardous: Who Protects the Boss?

Lawsuits and liabilities definitely aren’t the first things that a person considers when they dream of owning their own business and being their own boss. Unfortunately, it’s a reality that they must face. Whether from an employee or customer, small business owners often face liability when injuries occur in their place of business. There are times, however, when simply being in an office building can be dangerous, even for the boss. It’s important for all who own businesses to recognize these risks and respond accordingly.

Dangers that Business Owners Face

The only negligent parties people usually think about in office building environments are employers and workers, but the owner of the property can also cause injuries through their negligence. It is the duty of those who own and manage the property to ensure a safe environment for those who occupy offices in their building, and when they don’t, everyone, including the resident shop keeper, can suffer consequences.

Fire Hazards Fire hazards can be especially disastrous. If a business property is set up in any way that blocks exits, prevents early detection or creates a fire hazard, the landlord can be liable for any injuries caused by the incident.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that can cause illness or worse in human beings. This gas can come from furnaces, gas powered engines and even refrigerators. The effects of this gas are deadly, and this applies to anyone, employee and management alike, who works in the building.
Undisclosed Dangers Any hazard in an office building that a property manager should have knowledge of is their direct responsibility to fix. A landlord who should’ve known that mold was growing in the duct system, for instance, could be held liable for illness related injuries that were caused due to the negligent act of not fixing the issue.

Preventing Injuries

Being proactive is the most promising way of avoiding injuries. Even though property locations are required to be safe, it never hurts for a tenant business to be vigilant in ensuring the safety of themselves and their workers. They should start by ensuring there are no fire hazards in the office.

-Check that all fire detectors are functioning properly

–Ensure that any windows that are supposed to open actually do

-Make sure that no exits are blocked or sealed

-Report any electrical problem to building management immediately

There are also ways to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning or death. The easiest is to invest in a CO detector. Also, if everyone in an office starts experiencing flu-like symptoms, a carbon monoxide leak may be the culprit. It’s important to report this or any other strange occurrence or danger that exists in an office to the premises manager.

Responding to Hazards

Whether you listen to a Santa Barbara or a Syracuse personal injury lawyer, you will hear that the critically important thing to do is report any possible hazards as soon as you notice them. Unfortunately, sometimes these hazards don’t become apparent until an injury actually takes place. In these cases it’s important to find an attorney who can help with the issue since medical and office bills can quickly add up.

Business bosses have the same rights as anyone else; when they’re injured due to another’s negligence, in this case the landlord’s, they’re likely to lose considerable money and have the right to compensation. It’s sometimes difficult to prove, however, that the property owner should’ve known about the danger. This is why it’s so imperative to have an injury attorney go over the situation and figure out exactly how the claim should be handled.

Accidents can happen anywhere, and unfortunately, even when shop keepers follow all safety guidelines, injuries can occur. Many of these injuries can affect workers, clients and even the owner themselves. It’s important for them to know their rights in these situations, particularly when the injury was caused by a malfunction in office space they are leasing. Being proactive and responding accordingly are a small business boss’s best methods of protection.

A prior TV news host, Ann Bailey shares these sympathetic tips for business owners who suffer from landlord negligence. The Syracuse personal injury lawyer firm, Bottar Leone PLLC, fights strenuously for compensation and maximum support for their clients injured in office buildings or other work locations in the upstate New York area.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/benhusmann/4620235686/

Hosting Your New Business: How to Buy More for Less

When it comes to starting a business, your online presence is a key factor in determining your success. While there are a variety of options available to business owners to have presences on the web, one of the most important is having a dedicated website. Unfortunately, many business owners who are starting out don’t understand what it takes to create and keep a website in cyberspace. Many think that they can simply build a site and then it will magically appear on the Internet. The truth is, however, that after a site is built, it must be hosted.

What is Hosting?

Hosting is the process of placing and keeping a website online. A hosting company is one that offers storage space on a server, and the business owner’s website is then hosted from that space. Anytime a visitor accesses the business’ website, a connection is made to the server, and the visitor pulls data from it. These central companies are generally the route that most business owners take when getting their websites online, and most hosting companies offer a variety of options regarding different types of service.

Shared Hosting vs. Dedicated Hosting

When choosing an online service, business owners must also decide whether to go with shared or dedicated options. Shared service allows a business owner’s website to be on a server along with other people’s websites. This type of plan is generally less expensive than other options, but it also has its drawbacks. Because someone using shared hosting is sharing a server with other websites, loading speeds may be affected, especially if another site on the server is bringing in a lot of traffic. Dedicated hosting, on the other hand, allows a website to be stored on its own server. This type of function is generally more expensive than shared, but it also allows websites to have faster loading times, quicker download speeds and less down time.

Costs to Control

No matter what hosting option you choose to use, it’s important to consider the costs involved. Some plans may start out a few dollars per month, while others may cost hundreds of dollars per month or more. Generally, the cost will be determined by the amount of space your site needs, the amount of visitors your site attracts and the amount of bandwidth your site uses. If you’re concerned about Internet costs for your new business site, you might want to do some research about coupons.

Discounts are available through a variety of avenues like www.hostingcoupons.com, and they can ensure savings on all kinds of web services. In fact, many business owners who are just starting out on the web use coupons to try out various hosting solutions until they find the one that’s right for their business.

When looking for a server solution, it’s also important to find one that will be able to grow with your business. As your business expands, the hope is that you will have more consumers visiting your website over time, and this may mean that you will need to change your web plan in the middle of a contract period. As a precaution, always look for a web provider that is willing to allow you to add on services with time and growth.

Ann Bailey has a small business website and shares these tips to help new site owners make decisions about hosting plans. Coupons available at www.hostingcoupons.com can assist smaller web-based businesses with start-up costs, adding to bottom line savings and business survival rates.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bgarry/6132174016/

Scandalous Investment Schemes: Is Your Business at Risk?

Recent economic conditions have made investment fraud a very prominent problem among small businesses. These businesses, often looking to recoup losses they incurred in their investments or to their company retirement accounts are being swayed by con-artist financial advisers that are more interested in their own bottom-line than the security of the investments they are offering. Four of the most common fraudulent schemes out there consist of familiar sounding phrases.

1) Exchange Traded Funds Commonly known as ETF’s, these funds carry a very high risk to any investor. Most ETF’s consist of very volatile and exotic financial products that would not be the first choice of any low-risk investor. Additionally, these brokers or advisers often fail to tell the small business that an ETF is often not able to be liquidated at short notice in the event that the company needs to raise quick cash.c

2) ForEx ForEx is the slang term for Foreign Exchange trading. This type of trading deals with buying and selling foreign currency against each other for a profit. Most people do not understand how ForEx works, including most brokers. This type of investment is classed as very high-risk.

3) Precious Metals As many people know, gold and silver prices have skyrocketed since the beginning of the recession. This has spurred many financial advisers to recommend purchasing gold products. However, most investors are unaware that gold is sold in many different ways and at different values. Gold bullion, for instance, is priced differently than gold coins. Likewise, gold stock certificates in a mine are much different from investing in jewelry grade gold. Most advisers encourage gold investments because they are very high-commissioned sales, not because they are beneficial to the buyer. Additionally, many people believe they “own pure gold,” when in fact they only own gold coins.

4) Energy Schemes Whether it is oil and gas investments or green technologies, most of these schemes are considered very risky. Many of these schemes are for start-up capital or new ventures that have no proven track record.

5) Fraudulent Association Advisement of an investment fraud lawyer is recommended if these situations arise, as they are some of the most common ways fraudulent transactions are committed. Brokers “associate” themselves with a large company, even though there is no connection between the entities. The business owner assumes the investment proposal is valid because of the association.

6) Special Deals Think of a Ponzi scheme and you will understand this ploy. These sellers offer an investment deal that they are only willing to offer to specially selected investors.

7) Off the Books These deals are not only risky, they are illegal. The adviser offers you an investment opportunity that they are “aware of” even though it is not coming through their investment firm.

The best way to avoid fraudulent acts by financial advisers is to do diligent research about the investment, the company offering the deal, and the adviser themselves if necessary. If you find that you have been a victim of one of these schemes, or believe that you are a victim of another type of investment scheme, you are encouraged to seek the professional services of a fraudulent investment attorney.

Ann Bailey contributes business articles relating to investment processes. The preemptive advice of an investment fraud lawyer like Page Perry, an Atlanta based specialist in guiding investors, could help small business owners protect themselves from unscrupulous financiers preying upon sound investment hopes of business owners everywhere.

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