Workers’ compensation claims have a variety of different costs associated with them. Some of these costs are expected costs, while others are unexpected. Here’s the difference between these terms: Expected costs are those that are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Such expenses are commonly referred to as direct costs. Unexpected costs are those that workers’...
Along with providing financial relief for individuals, state and local governments, schools, businesses and for other purposes, the relief bill passed by Congress on March 10, 2021, contains measures of special interest to employers. Specifically, the bill—known as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021—includes the following items particularly relevant to employers and their employees:...
In the event that a fire occurs at your commercial property, having measures in place to slow the spread of the flames and minimize potential damages is crucial. That’s where fire doors can help. These doors are specifically designed to withstand the extreme heat of a fire for a period of time, temporarily blocking flames...
The most common environmental and regulatory exposures encountered by real estate entities include: Contaminants from known and unknown historical usage/operations or neighboring properties. Investigation and defense due to local and regional soil and groundwater contamination. Air emissions from ammonia-based refrigeration systems. Construction debris containing hazardous materials (e.g. paint cans, tars, etc.) Sick Building Syndrome (i.e....
On Feb. 18, 2021, the IRS released Notice 2021-15 to clarify the application of temporary special rules for health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) and dependent care assistance programs (DCAPs) provided under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). The Notice responds to unanticipated changes in the availability of certain medical and dependent care as a result...
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout offers significant promise in the ongoing effort to curb the pandemic. However, even in the midst of this rollout, it’s vital for employers to promote workplace health and safety measures to protect their staff from COVID-19 exposures. The construction industry is no exception to these protective measures, especially considering that most...
By the end of 2021, some people will have returned to work on-site, but many others will never return. The pandemic has permanently changed how and where millions of people will work in the future. The change is expected to have a significant impact on real estate markets nationwide. Although some people, myself included, have...
The damage caused by wildfires can be devastating, gutting structures and driving out people who live and work nearby. And researchers say the smoke from the annually recurring blazes also delivers economic damage to areas that were never touched by the flames. Beyond the toll wildfire smoke can have on the health of those in...
COVID-19, low interest rates and higher claim severity due in part to an aging workforce are among the factors that have reversed a years’ long trend of flat or lower renewals for workers compensation coverage, experts say. “In the rate environment we are starting to see it tick up from a flat renewal to the...
On Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, President Donald Trump signed into law an emergency stimulus package designed to deliver approximately $900 billion in COVID-19-related aid. This bill was passed by Congress after months of negotiation, and was attached to a $1.4 trillion spending package that will keep the government open for the fiscal year. Notably, this...