Blog

August 1, 2014

About six years ago, the United States Social Security Administration began an aggressive plan to replace its antiquated computer systems. The office was being overwhelmed with disability claims and sought relief through upgrading its systems. Despite sinking $300 million into the project, the Social Security Administration can’t get it to work, and the agency isn’t sure if or when it will ever be up and running. While the project is stuck in testing, thousands of people filing for disability claims face delays during every step of the process. These delays were supposed to be remedied by the new computer…

July 24, 2014

Few things in recent history have been as polarizing as the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. The decision has been both heralded and condemned, as the nation’s top court was forced to draw a line between women’s rights and the religious rights of a business. While the five male justices who voted in favor of Hobby Lobby have assured the public that the decision is a very narrow one, there’s legitimate reason to believe that this could be an extremely slippery slope, especially for lesbians, gays, bisexuals…

July 23, 2014

The “ban the box” bill, recently modified and approved by the NJ State Legislature, is now awaiting approval by NJ Gov. Chris Christie. If he signs it, New Jersey employers will be prohibited from inquiring about a job applicant’s criminal background until after a first interview – unless the applicant brings it up. However, if you’ve been convicted of serious crimes such as arson, homicide or kidnapping, you will not be covered by this legislation. Further, if you are applying for a job in law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, emergency management or the judiciary, companies will be permitted to…

July 11, 2014

There are currently 23 states that require ignition interlock devices installed in vehicles of first time convicted drunk drivers. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), in conjunction with state Assemblywoman Linda Stender, is hoping to make New Jersey the 24th state to do so. Stender introduced Bill 1368, requiring the use of ignition interlocks for at least three months following an individual’s first DUI conviction, for blood alcohol contents ranging from .08 to .14. Currently, the state requires the devices to be installed for repeat and first time offenders when the BAC is at .15 or higher, or…

July 3, 2014

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed suit against the United Health Programs of America (and its parent company, Cost Containment Group) for violating its employees’ religious and civil rights. The company allegedly forced its workers to pray to thank God for their jobs, and then required they all say “I love you” to managers and co-workers. Anyone who protested was fired, according to the complaint filed by the EEOC. This unusual policy was known as the Onionhead doctrine, and was created by the aunt of the company’s owner. According to the EEOC’s complaint, many…

June 26, 2014

With the amount of time Americans spend at work on a weekly basis, there’s no surprise when office relationships spring up. According a 2013 CareerBuilder.com survey, 39 percent of workers admitted to having an office fling at least once. It would certainly be nice if every office romance ended in a great, fulfilling and long-lasting relationship. However, for myriad reasons, that’s unlikely. In fact, the opposite usually occurs, leaving people hurt and disgruntled. Further, when romance sparks up at the office, there are some legal risks for both employees and employers. We have offices by appointment…

June 20, 2014

Preventing a crash with a truck is the responsibility of both truck drivers and operators of other vehicles. Most of us get a little nervous when we are driving next to a truck going 65 miles per hour on the highway, and rightly so. Being on the wrong side of a truck crash could mean severe personal injuries, extreme damage to property and a potential untimely death. It’s all about defensive driving. Many vehicle operators get stubborn with their driving habits and fail to adjust to the limited maneuverability, performance capabilities and braking of a truck.

June 13, 2014

The summer is officially less than two weeks away and yet there have already been at least nine children who have died after being left alone in a hot car. If you follow the trends set in recent years past, that number is surely to rise, according to the National Safety Council. Since 1998, according to research by San Francisco State University’s Department of Geosciences, there have been an estimated 615 heatstroke deaths suffered by children left in hot cars. That’s an average of 38 deaths per year, with more than half of the children dying under age two.

June 5, 2014

One hundred NJ police departments that bought defective bulletproof vests are about to receive a share of $173,780, stemming from a manufacturer who filed for bankruptcy a decade ago. Many years before Second Chance Body Armor Inc. went out of business and declared bankruptcy, their Zylon-based vests were said to “have the potential to put police officers’ lives at risk,” according to NJ Acting Attorney General John J Hoffman. The divisions of Law and Consumer Affairs obtained an order from U.S. Bankruptcy Court in  August 2013 for the distribution of funds. They have recently received a payment and…

May 29, 2014

When you make the decision to retain an attorney, it’s most likely because you’ve gotten into a legal situation you can’t handle on your own. How do you know that your lawyer performed their duties to the best of their abilities? What do you do if you think they have made your situation worse instead of better? People who hire a lawyer have a right to expect a reasonable standard of care commonly associated with others who practice law. If your lawyer performs at a level lower than that, you may have a case of legal…