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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“What Do I Do if I Get Hit by a Car on My Bike?”
Whether you live in a small town or you reside in a more urban setting, chances are, now that summer is in full-swing, you’ll be breaking out the bike regularly to go for a ride around your way. Not only is bicycling great exercise, it also provides you with a chance to escape the confines of your office or your home and hit the open road, welcoming the feeling of a comforting, warm breeze at your back.
As with any form of transportation, though, there can be some risk involved. Since only two percent of all automobile deaths and only two percent of all injured parties from automobile crashes are cyclists, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, biking is generally safe. You can proactively help avoid an accident by signaling your turns, wearing reflective clothing, obeying traffic rules, and bypassing busy streets when possible. […]
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Summer boaters are encouraged to be safe and responsible
Recreational boating activity soars in the summer months, and so do boating accidents. In 2013, the U.S. Coast Guard counted 4,062 accidents that resulted in 560 deaths, 2,620 injuries, and approximately $39 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents.
In a 2013 Recreational Boating Statistics report released by the Coast Guard, it was found that where the cause of death was known in boating accidents, 77% was a result of drowning. Of those drowning victims, 84% were not wearing a life jacket. The report also found that eight out of every ten boaters who drowned were using vessels less than 21 feet in length. 46% were open motorboats, 18% personal watercraft, and 17% cabin motorboats. Canoes, kayaks and pontoon boats also accounted for many accidents.
Alcohol use was the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating accidents where the primary cause was known. […]
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Graduation time dangerous for teen drivers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) graduation time is one of the most dangerous times for teens on the road. Texting, underage drinking, and other distractions lead to tragedies that can be avoided through communication and education.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in our country and about a third of those are alcohol related, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Interestingly, more than one-third of the year’s alcohol-related teen car fatalities occur around prom and graduation time.
In addition to an increase in teen drinking around these events, there is also an increase in nerves and excitement. It has been determined that the crash rate for teens goes up with additional passengers in the car, as this causes added distractions. A 2012 study by AAA concluded that the risk increases by almost half when a 16- or 17-year-old driver has one teenage passenger, […]
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Workers’ Compensation Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Workers’ Compensation Questions
Q: I’ve Been in an Accident at Work. What’s the First Thing I Should Do?
A: Right after a job-related accident, no matter how minor it may seem, you should immediately report your injury to your supervisor and make sure that a written record is made. Once you report the injury, seek medical assistance as soon as possible to learn how severe the injury is and get treatment. Both these two steps are crucial for your claim. If you fail to report the accident to your supervisor as soon as possible, your claim may be denied.
Q: Is There a Statute of Limitations for Workers’ Compensation Cases?
A: Under Pennsylvania law, a notice of any injury suffered while on the job must be provided to a supervisor at your place of employment within 120 days of the date of injury. […]
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Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer warns spring is a dangerous time for dog bites
Spring is finally here, and after a long, cold winter in Northeast Pa, that means going outside to enjoy the warmer weather. The warm-up will also bring more dog owners outside to walk their pets, which may be why the incidence of dog bites always seem to increase in the spring.
According to the American Humane Society (AHS), an estimated 4.7 million dog bites occur in the U.S. each year. Nearly 800,000 of those bites require medical attention. The AHS also reported that at least 25 different breeds of dogs have been involved in 238 dog-bite-related fatalities in the U.S.
The American Pet Products Association found that pet ownership is at an all-time high. There are currently 83.3 million dogs in the U.S., which are kept by 56.7 million households. The number of dog bites, as well as their severity, has risen dramatically since the 1980’s. […]
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