What is Insurance?
Insurance is, “a contract whereby, for a stipulated consideration, one party undertakes to compensate the other for loss on a specified subject by specified perils. The party agreeing to make the compensation is usually called the “insurer” or “underwriter;” the other, the “insured” or “assured;” the agreed consideration, the “premium;” the written contract, a “policy;” the events insured against, “risks” or “perils;” and the subject, right, or interest to be protected, the “insurable interest.” (Black’s Law Dictionary 946. 4th Ed. Rev. 1968)
An insurance policy is a contract in which an individual or entity (the policyholder) pays an insurance company (the insurer) in regular payments in exchange for financial protection over specific risks or losses. For example, medical insurance helps to cover medical costs, such as hospital visits, hospital stays, and medications. Similarly, auto insurance helps to cover damages incurred from car accidents. Insurance payments are known as premiums. Insurance contracts typically limit the amount of costs that an insurance provider may be required to pay.
The McCarran-Ferguson Act (15 U.S.C. § 1011) grants many aspects of insurance regulation to individual state governments. However, federal laws like federal taxes do apply to insurance, and must be acknowledged. Insurance is important to the legal system, as it helps protect individuals, those who cause harm to individuals through negligence, and any third party that is faced with the burden of compensating for an injury.
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Construction workers say productivity trumps safety
In America’s deadliest industry, construction workers say safety takes a back seat
A recent National Safety Council survey found that more than half of construction workers (58%) perceive that safety takes a back seat to productivity on their job sites.
To gauge employee perceptions about workplace safety, the NSC interviewed 2,000 American workers across 14 industries.
Of construction workers surveyed, 51% say management does the bare minimum when it comes to safety; 47% say they’d feel afraid to report a safety issue. These numbers are alarming, especially considering the fact that construction has more workplace fatalities than any other industry in the U.S.
No worker should feel stuck between losing their job, or losing their life. Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, co-executive director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health said,“When workers can’t speak up, […]
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Hazleton Premises Liability Lawyer
If you’ve been injured at someone else’s home or a place of business in Hazleton, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Property owners have a responsibility to keep their properties free from hazards. But if you suffer an injury on someone else’s property caused by hazardous conditions, the homeowner, landlord, or proprietor may be held accountable. Not sure if you have a case? Contact a Hazleton premises liability lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation to get the answers you need.
The premises liability lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys work diligently on behalf of our clients in the Hazleton area to investigate and document the negligence of a property owner and seek maximum compensation for the injured. Our board-certified attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for slip and fall, dog bite, and accident victims. Our record of success and exceptional client services have earned us the highest possible ratings from our clients and our fellow attorneys. […]
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Pennsylvania Among the U.S. States with the Most Dog Bites
Dog Bite Prevention Week
April 9-15 is Dog Bite Prevention Week. The American Humane Association, the U.S. Postal Service, and other groups observe this week each year in an effort to help reduce the number of dog bites nationwide.
This year, multiple reports have come out indicating that dog bites increased in 2016. According to the USPS, More than 6,700 postal workers suffered a dog bite last year. That’s 200 more than in 2015. Some researchers connect this increase with the growing popularity of online shopping and home delivery services.
The Insurance Information Institute and State Farm also report that dog bites increased by as much as 18% overall last year. Note that this number may other types of include dog-related incidents – not just bites.
Which states experience the most dog bites? Pennsylvania ranks #4 in the country, […]
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New tech solutions for truck safety
As truck accident lawyers, we don’t just handle truck accident cases, we also strive to improve safety on our nation’s highways. We regularly join with other advocates across the country in support of better safety laws and regulations. Sometimes, working toward change can feel like an uphill battle. So, it’s especially gratifying to see trucking companies and researchers voluntarily investing in safety technology that will save lives.
Artificial Daylight to Improve Trucker Health, Safety
One exciting tech solution to a serious truck safety issue is the use of artificial daylight in truck cabs.
Logging 10+ hour days and making long overnight trips can take a toll on truck drivers’ physical and mental health. It also presents a safety hazard – a drowsy driver behind the wheel of an 80,000lb vehicle can spell disaster. So, researchers in Germany sought to counteract the effects of darkness on the brain. […]
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How Much Will I Be Paid for Lost Wages?
As Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyers, we often find that one of the most common problems related to workers’ comp is how little people know about it. If you’ve never been hurt at work before, the claims process can be confusing. You’ll probably have lots of questions about how and when you can recover your lost wages.
One of the most common ones is: How much will I be paid for my lost wages?
If you suffer an injury on the job that prevents you from being able to work, workers’ compensation insurance exists to cover your medical bills and your wages until you can work again. In this way, workers can recover their losses without resorting to a lawsuit. Just how much you will receive, however, can vary.
Typically, you’ll receive compensation benefits for 2/3 (or 66.6%) of your average weekly wage. […]
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