3 Laws That Every Business Entity Should Follow in 2023

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Launching your brand in the commercial space needs plenty of preparation. One of them is knowing the business laws to comply with state, federal and local regulations. Companies unfamiliar with the legal essentials are susceptible to failure and losing big money in lawsuit. Studies found that 36% to 53% of small businesses are sued annually and about 45% of small businesses are currently involved in litigation as of 2022. The average liability suit costs at least $54,000. More than 75% of small business owners live in fear that they might be targeted for a lawsuit.

Kellogg launched a new ad campaign in 2009 for its Rice Krispies cereal claiming that it boosts children’s immunity. Various private individuals along with The Oregon attorney general and the FTC had issues due to a lack of scientific evidence. Multiple allegations were rolled into one and the company settled for $5 million as per Lexology report. McDonald’s, Apple and Red Bull also faced major financial setbacks with class-action settlements. So, below are a few legal necessities to stay compliant and protect your brand. Knowing these will keep you from getting caught off guard.

1. Pay-to-Play Law

Pay-to-play is the unethical act of money exchange with government officials to enjoy certain favors, privileges or benefits. It can be in areas like politics, entertainment, sports and business. New Jersey’s Pay-to-play law seeks to ensure open and fair public contracting that must be free of the sway of political interests. Section 84308 prohibits a party from looking for a permit, license and similar entitlements in return for political contributions.
Entities holding contracts worth more than $250,000 are banned from pay-to-play disclosure. As of February 2022, 15 states and the District of Columbia have pay-to-play laws of general jurisdiction and several other states have industry-specific pay-to-play laws. Make sure your company is in compliance with state contracts for a customized plan.

2. Privacy Laws

There is no single US law for the privacy of data but a mix of GLBA, FCRA, COPPA, VPPA and FERPA. These give consumers the right to control their data and businesses must strive to create a better world with a safe internet presence. Companies that store and process information are required to stay updated on the latest regulations even if there is a lack of a comprehensive privacy framework. This helps to ensure compliance with the data collection laws that regulate the collection, use and disclosure of personal data while setting standards regarding how to take care of sensitive details.

The US Privacy Act of 1974 establishes rules and regulations regarding US government agencies’ use, collection and disclosure of personal information. One of the is the right to access data based on an employee’s role in a company. Three states like California, Virginia and Colorado have comprehensive consumer privacy laws which applies to the residents. It is a good idea work with your lawyer and learn about the size of the income level of businesses the laws apply to, cure periods and whether you may use tools or authorized agents.

3.      Tax Laws

Businesses must file and pay federal taxes on income earned annually. This will need you to get an employer identification number. The nominal federal corporate tax rate in the US is a flat 21% since January 2018 due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts of 2017. Not being able to pay the amount leads to Failure to Pay Penalty is 0.5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or a part of the month the tax remains unpaid. Take some time to review the social security, Medicare, federal tax and federal unemployment tax needs.

You may also have to collect and pay state sales and state and federal excise taxes on specific business activities and property taxes on assets. Income taxes are also applicable for Sole Proprietors, Multiple-Member LLCs, Partners and Single-Member LLCs.

Try to protect your personal assets, ensure your workers and be careful not to violate trademarks. Check for licensing needs before opening doors to the public. Know the rules and guidelines about internet advertising to avoid anything that hurts customer sentiments. File for bankruptcy if your business debt is getting out of hand. Following these steps can help your new company run without hassles.

Mike

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory, the best and free online attorney directory. Guest bloggers can also publish their articles here as other bloggers are doing.

What Does Product Liability Insurance Cover?

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Product liability, in general, incorporates insurance, a knowledgeable legal team, and constant evaluations of product components, manufacturing process, and so on. The reality is that literally any product has the potential to cause harm or property damage, and the resulting claims can be complicated.

Remember the uproar when McDonald’s got sued for selling coffee that was too hot? Food, for instance, can not only burn people, but it can make them sick. A poorly-designed bunk bed can become a death trap if there is a fire. A blender could overheat and explode. A weed wacker with a poorly-made component can easily hurt the user or someone nearby.

Without product liability insurance, businesses would have to pay for lawsuits out of pocket if their products ever hurt anyone or anything.

What Is Product Liability Insurance?

Product liability insurance is designed for companies that create products and sell them to the public. Product liability insurance protects such companies in case one of their products has a defect, if there is a design flaw that was overlooked, or if one of the product components was damaged or poorly made. This type of insurance also covers businesses if a product causes an injury or damage to someone’s property.

Who Should Get Product Liability Insurance?

Manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and distributors that sell a product to the public, to other businesses, or that have a supply chain would be well-advised to secure product liability insurance. It doesn’t matter if it is a tiny cottage industry selling just a few units of an all-natural, seemingly harmless item or a worldwide mega-conglomerate corporation.

In a product liability lawsuit, the plaintiff has the ability to sue the companies involved in producing the product that caused them injury—whether it’s a widget factory in Indonesia that only makes one part of a product or the design team who laid it out the specs. Many companies might not have the funds to cover all of an injured plaintiff’s losses every time a product-related accident happens. This is where the corporation’s product liability coverage comes in.

What Occurrences Are Covered by Product Liability Insurance?

A general business liability policy can cover products in some cases, but each insurance policy is different. Here is a general list of the types of things product liability insurance helps with:

  • Defective parts or components
  • Incomplete or inaccurate warning label
  • Manufacturing defects, production inconsistencies
  • Incorrect or inaccurate product instructions
  • Design flaws
  • General liability (meaning a product was not in any way defective but still caused an injury property damage)

Common Losses of Product Liability Victims

The reality is that product liability claims can have high dollar amounts. A defective or dangerous product can result in severe injuries and losses, and victims can seek total compensation for their losses by filing an insurance claim. Companies should have enough coverage to pay for the losses of injury victims, so they do not have to dig into the business’s own pockets or – in some cases – file for bankruptcy.

Some losses that an injured victim might seek include:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Past and future lost income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent impairments or disfigurement
  • Wrongful death

Some products can cause catastrophic injuries that change a victim’s life forever, and their lifelong losses can easily reach the millions. Sometimes, a product can cause injuries to many people, who all file a class action or mass tort case. The right insurance coverage is critical in such situations.

Varcadipane & Pinnisi Are New York Product Liability, Lawyers

Product liability laws in New York can be complicated to navigate—you need someone with experience to help. Varcadipane & Pinnisi, PC has a solid track record of litigating all aspects of product liability cases for injury victims. As New York personal Injury attorneys, we can help you if you have an issue with a defective product that has caused injuries and losses. Contact us now for a no-cost review of your product liability case.

 

Author Bio

Dawn M. Pinnisi predominantly handles injury claims in New York and New Jersey on behalf of victims of products liability, professional malpractice, and negligence. She has twenty years of litigation experience advocating for injured clients and has recovered millions of dollars in jury verdicts, settlements, arbitrations, and mediations.

Mike

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory, the best and free online attorney directory. Guest bloggers can also publish their articles here as other bloggers are doing.

3 Benefits of Working with a Business Lawyer

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There are many reasons you should think about working with a business lawyer. You can set a new business up for success and make formation changes with a lawyer. An attorney can also help you create new contracts and protect your business. These are the three main benefits you will get when working with a lawyer for your business.

Lawyers that work in business law can work with businesses of all sizes. They can help new businesses as well as established businesses. Don’t wait until you need a lawyer before you begin looking for one that can help with your business needs. It is a good idea to have a working relationship before any business issues come up.

Set Your Business Up for Success

You should first think about hiring a lawyer for your new business when you form the company. Your business needs to be set up correctly for financial, legal, and tax purposes. Your attorney will also be able to assist you if you need to make any changes to how your business formation was set up.

Forming a New Business

There are some new business owners who choose to form their business on their own. To do this, the business owner must complete and file the paperwork required to open a legal business. Mistakes made when doing paperwork without the help of an attorney can be difficult to change.

While there is nothing wrong with filing the documents on your own, a lawyer can help you if needed. A business attorney can offer you advice on the best formation options for your business needs.

They may suggest that you choose one of the following business formation options:

  • Limited Liability Company (LLC)
  • S Corporation (S-Corp)
  • C Corporation (C-Corp)
  • Partnership
  • Sole Proprietorship

The organizational structure that you decide on will have an impact on your business operations. This includes how you get paid, how the business is taxed, and what your personal liability is.

Adjusting Formation Agreements

After your business has been formed, you should work with an attorney to make any changes to how the company was formed. This includes a change in partnership, a need to change the legal structure of the business, and selling the business. It can be financially and legally harmful if any of those changes are done incorrectly. Using an attorney to make any changes will help protect you.

Get Assistance with Legal Documents

Getting help with your business’s legal documents is another benefit of working with a business lawyer. There are many different types of documents that lawyers create, review, and carry out. This includes everything from business forms to contracts to permits and more. It is important to use correctly written legal documents.

Business Asset Protection

Once the business has been established and using the correct legal documents, your lawyer’s work isn’t finished. A business lawyer will help you keep your business’s assets protected. Hopefully, you will never need an attorney for business problems. If something does come up, having a working relationship with an attorney will be helpful.

Your business attorney will help with asset protection in a few different ways. They can act on behalf of the business if you are ever required to go to court. Lawyers are also good to work with because they can set up the safekeeping of any intellectual property that the business owns.

Intellectual property can be protected through the set-up of trademarks and copyrights—types of intellectual property range from your business logo, trade secrets, product development, and more.

Establish a Successful Business with a Business Lawyer

When you work with a business lawyer, you will be able to benefit from the different services that they provide business owners. You will not only set your business up for success, but you can get assistance with contracts and protect your assets from potential harm.

Mike

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory, the best and free online attorney directory. Guest bloggers can also publish their articles here as other bloggers are doing.

How to Find the Best Litigation Lawyers in Sydney for Your Case

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The legal system can be a very confusing and scary process. There are many different types of lawyers, and it is hard to know how to find the right one for your needs. One type that you might not have considered is a litigation lawyer. Litigation lawyers work on trials and other court proceedings dealing with lawsuits or criminal cases. This can be a complicated process, so here’s how to find the best litigation lawyer in Sydney for your case!

Litigation lawyers are different from other lawyers because they focus specifically on representing clients in the courtroom. They take cases to court rather than deal with everything outside of it. Litigation lawyers are typically used for business or criminal law cases. However, litigation may not be the best choice for you if you need help dealing with a divorce or separation. Below are ways of finding the best litigation lawyer in Sydney for your case.

Experience

One of the most important things to look at is the litigation lawyer’s experience. Experienced lawyers can be helpful if you are dealing with a complicated case that requires a lot of time and attention. Be sure to look for experienced lawyers that primarily focus on representing clients in court rather than those who primarily focus on other types of cases. This ensures that your lawyer will be able to take the time and attention needed with your case.

Service Terms

Another important aspect to look at is the service terms. Find out the exact services that the litigation lawyer offers and what they are willing to do for you. Some lawyers will offer a flat fee, while others bill hourly. Make sure to ask about these things before signing any type of contract with them. This will help you determine what services you can expect from your lawyer and how much it will cost!

Location

If you are looking for litigation lawyers in Sydney, look for one who is located near you. This makes it easier to meet with your attorney about upcoming cases or other legal issues. You might also need them to go to court with you if something comes up, so being close by can make things easier on both of you. If possible, look for a litigator located near where your process took place as well – this ensures they are familiar with the case and the area.

Credentials

Your next step is checking out their credentials. The best way to do this is by asking what type of education the litigation lawyer has. For example, did they go to law school? Do they have any specific certifications or accreditations in the field of litigation? You can also look at some of their previous cases to see how well they do in court.

Cost

The last thing you will want to consider is cost. Litigation lawyers tend to be more expensive than other types of lawyers because of the time and attention required for their jobs. However, this does not mean that all litigators are automatically more expensive – it just depends on the individual attorney who takes your case! Make sure to discuss with them what type of budget you can offer, and if you need help finding an affordable legal service, check out this list of law firms in Sydney.

Now that you know how to find the best litigation lawyers in Sydney for your case go ahead and book a consultation with them! You can schedule an appointment at any time by calling their office or stopping by. Be sure to ask them questions about their experience, location, credentials, and cost to see if they are a good fit for your needs! Finally, make sure to keep their information on hand so you can contact them again when necessary.

Mike

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory, the best and free online attorney directory. Guest bloggers can also publish their articles here as other bloggers are doing.

How To Win a Lemon Law Case? 5 Helpful Tips of Winning Lemon Law

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Lemon law cases are mainly related to vehicle relative legal events. There is the possibility of vehicle damage, theft, crashes, or defects. There is a need for an expert who can handle things well and sort it all perfectly to handle such cases.

To win any such case, there is no doubt to do hard work and collect evidence, but more than that it requires professionals that are available in the form of California lemon law attorney who can look into your case and help you get the perfect solution.

Similarly, in case of a Nissan vehicle issue or defect, you can consider a California Nissan lemon law lawyer and discuss your options. This way, legally, you will be in a much better position by their support and gaining proper legal solutions.

Before you plan to have the best lawyers or are thinking that there are possibilities to win, you need to clear few things that may include: 

  • What is the condition of your legal case?
  • In what legal perception or interest the lemon law case has risen?
  • How long have your legal experts worked in cases like yours?
  • Are there any critical angles that define your case?

And these are few things that need a smart understanding before you think to have an attorney and become hopeful to win a lemon law case.

Show valid documents

It is one of the most essential steps to consider, as if you have valid documents, evidence of proof, and you can present them, then the case is surely going to turn your way considering the terms of lemon law.

Take care of your vehicle

Also, it is analyzed in the process of such litigation that how you have taken care of your vehicle, are there any insurance coverage made, or any official financial cover for damage, and these things also matter to help you win a lemon law case in concern to your vehicle considering its condition too.

Cover your vehicle’s financial bills

Again, documents play a vital role, and if you have managed to save financial payments, bills of receipts, and have all such payment bills perfectly covered, then presenting them as strong evidence in court would count and help you prepare a stronger case to defend your vehicle’s possession in a much better way.

Adjust according to state

However, rules may change in different locations, every state has some different law codes and legal procedures, and hence it will become essential how you adjust or adapt if such lemon law case on the vehicle has risen in a different state where you not belong and you have to adapt legally soon to have cover and settle for planning to win a lemon law case.

Arrange an expert with legal terms

Lastly more than anything to look for, to litigate and fight a case and also to win it you would require experts, and for that, you want lemon law experts who can do it, so you can feel safe and can look for all perfect possibilities of solution and it would be settled easily too.

Conclusion

Still, if you have doubt relative to lemon law, are in a more critical situation related to a vehicle, or have faced challenges or problems at different conditions, it’s better to connect California lemon law attorneys, where you will find an expert, your things will be arranged and they are experts of lemon law so they would give you perfect advice and shall solve your problems.

Also if its a case of Nissan vehicle, there are any defects found, or you have had strife with owners or manufacturers, there are legal experts available to handle it and you can consider California Nissan lemon law lawyer to build your case, to help things get settled and they will look into it and make a strong case to help you come out of all challenges for which you can prefer them and settle your responses.

Mike

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory, the best and free online attorney directory. Guest bloggers can also publish their articles here as other bloggers are doing.

Settled Status | How to Safeguard Your Rights

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When the UK leaves the European Union the rights of citizens of both the EU and the UK will change. Especially the residents of the EU who live and work in the UK. As part of the withdrawal preparations, the British government has implemented the EU Settlement Scheme.

This means that all EU citizens and any non-EU family members who want to stay in the UK will need to apply for settled status or pre-settled status under this scheme. Including the people who already have permanent residence documents. Citizens of Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Norway (countries that have agreements with the EU) will also have to apply under the scheme.

Am I Eligible for Settled Status?

To be eligible to obtain settled status you need to have lived in the UK for a sustained five-year period. Settled status allows you to spend five years continuously outside of the UK without losing the right to live and work in the UK. It allows you to live and work in the UK indefinitely.

You’re entitled to apply for settled status if you move to the UK by the 31st of December 2020. This is the date the UK is set to leave the EU, with or without a deal. If you’re an EU citizen you can apply for pre-settled status without having to live in the UK for five years continuously.

Pre-settled status allows you to live and work in the UK and allow you to reach the five-year residency threshold needed to apply for settled status. If you spend six months a year outside the UK, you will lose your right to remain. This means you won’t be allowed to apply for settled status. However, there are some exceptions, but this is rare.

Who Can Apply?

As mentioned above, the EU settlement scheme is open to applications from the family of EU citizens. But who is allowed to apply:

  • Spouses & civil partners.
  • Durable partners (A partner whom you’ve cohabited for two years).
  • Dependent children below the age of 21.
  • Parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.
  • Any dependent relatives currently benefitting from freedom of movement and who have a document issued under EEA Regulations when you have applied for this before the 31st of December 2020.
  • Family members who retain rights after a relationship ends, either through death or divorce

You can make an application through the EU Exit: Document ID Check app.

To confirm your settled status or pre-settled status, you will also need to be deemed “suitable” by the British government. The home office must be satisfied that you’re not a threat to public policy, security or health. There isn’t a high threshold for this test, but it’s worth mentioning. That’s why it’s important to declare any criminal convictions during the application process. If you don’t, this can mean your application is rejected.

If you need help applying for either pre-settled or settled status in High Wycombe, contact BP Collins Solicitors. Their team can help to apply and guide you through the process if any complications arise.

Mike

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory, the best and free online attorney directory. Guest bloggers can also publish their articles here as other bloggers are doing.