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Sandy and Nemo are perfect examples for the necessity of commercial property insurance

East Coast businesses have had one curveball after another thrown at them over the last few months. First, Hurricane Sandy devastated residents and companies along the Eastern Seaboard. Then, just last weekend, Winter Storm Nemo dumped up to three feet of snow in some areas. Organizations across the nation should take note of the recovery process, to ensure that if Mother Nature makes her way to their location, they can not only weather the storm ...

Winter storm Nemo wreaks havoc for East Coast businesses

New England was battered last weekend by winter storm Nemo, with many areas receiving close to two feet of snow and thousands left without power through Monday morning. President Barack Obama declared States of Emergency for Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.While snow is often associated with winter for many areas, it's important for business owners to be aware of how Mother Nature can affect their daily operations. Repairs could take months, and companies across ...

Employee's Facebook photos end her FMLA claim

In this digital age with technology changing every day, individuals and businesses are becoming more reliant on computers and mobile devices. Social media is also on the rise, which is something that companies should remain aware of.Advantage Health Physician Network encountered such an issue when an employee posted photos on her Facebook page that were in contradiction with her claims of being unable to work. Back in August 2009, Sara Jaszczyszyn saw her doctor ...

States strive for more detailed workers' compensation laws

Ideally, employees would never become sick or injure themselves while working. However, the unexpected can happen, and as such, it's crucial for businesses to have a comprehensive workers' compensation policy in place. Additionally, remaining up-to-date on any legal changes can keep companies protected for numerous situations.According to The Associated Press, Connecticut officials are pushing for new workers' compensation definitions, to offer better compensation for emergency responders. After the shooting at an elementary school in ...

Businesses have two weeks left to apply for Sandy Disaster Loans

New Jersey residents who were affected by Hurricane Sandy have until January 30 to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). It is also the deadline for individuals to register for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).Those who apply by January 30 could avoid a possible shortfall in rebuilding money should they find out later that the insurance policy does not cover all damages. When it comes to ...

Workers compensation is a necessary protection for businesses

Business owners understand that there are numerous situations they need to prepare for. Everything from natural disasters to slow economic growth could have negative effects on the daily operations of an organization. However, company decision makers must keep themselves protected from unforeseen legal issues as well. For example, a workers compensation policy is a wise investment, as it will guarantee financial protection and prevent legal liability for businesses should an employee injure themselves on the ...

Supreme Court rules that religious group needs workers compensation

Earlier this week, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that a religious colony must purchase workers compensation insurance for its members working in commercial enterprises. The justices were divided in their 4-3 decision in "Big Sky Colony Inc. v. Montana Department of Labor and Industry." According to a Business Insurance article, the Hutterische Church Society live communal lifestyles, similar to the Amish and Mennonites. Traditionally, the Hutterites specialize in agricultural work, but have expanded into construction, ...

Fire and vandalism affect Arizona businesses

Organizations of all kinds need to make sure that they are prepared for a multitude of situations. While this blog has previously discussed the impact severe weather can have on a business, there are other scenarios that must be accounted for. Otherwise, returning to daily operations can be difficult and any cleanup process can be particularly expensive. Two Arizona businesses that closed in 2011 - The Red Room and The Grill - caught fire early ...

California court to rule on amusement park injuries

Amusement parks are meant to be places where customers can kick back and have a little fun. However, accidents can happen and even when the utmost care is taken, injuries are still a possibility. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, the California Supreme Court will decide today, Monday, December 31, on whether amusement parks can be held liable for injuries suffered on bumper cars and other thrill rides. A woman filed a lawsuit after suffering ...

The environment, business insurance and your company: How are they connected?

As Hurricane Sandy chugged up the East Coast in late October, company owners with inadequate business insurance policies held their collective breath and hoped that the superstorm did not strike their region directly. Those in New York and New Jersey suffered the brunt of the damage, with more than $80 billion in losses. Whether those losses came from rising sea levels, extreme wind or fires caused by damages to electrical systems, many area businesses had ...