Intellectual Property Rights and Contractors

When it comes to intellectual property and independent contractors, the lines can get blurry. Many people are surprised to find out that if their company does hire an independent contractor to create something for them–a book, a painting, a logo, or other types of graphics–that the company does not necessarily own the creative work that the contractor created. This is usually confused because when a business hires someone as an employee to do the same job, it is usually clearly stated in the contract that the business owns any creative ideas that the employee designed related to the job. An intellectual property attorney can understand that this is a confusing area of law and we are here to help. If you have legal questions or problems regarding intellectual property, please give a patent attorney, a call. 

What about copyright?

When you are wondering what creative works fall under copyright law, they are some of the items as follows:

  • Photographs
  • Paintings
  • Plays
  • Poems
  • Films
  • Music

If you own the copyright to any of the items above, that means that you can control how the work is used and distributed. Thus, if you hired an independent contractor and they retained the power of copyright over the works they created and you did not, that means that your ability to reproduce and distribute that item may be quite limited. Just because you paid for it does not mean you own the rights to it. 

How can I own the copyright?

This should be done with the help of your intellectual property attorney when you draft up a contract with the independent contractor. You should clearly state in writing that you will be the one (considered by law) to be the author of the work they produce. Depending on the type of work created, you may not be able to do this, though. Some of the types of work that you can legally say you authored if an independent contractor created it are:

  • A test and the answers to the test
  • An atlas
  • A translation of a text
  • Any contribution to part of literature
  • An instructional text

Although not comprehensive, you can see that this list is fairly limited. If you have any other questions about intellectual property and owning the copyright for it, please reach out to a trusted intellectual property attorney now.

What if my worker’s compensation settlement offer isn’t enough?

If you suffered a terrible injury at work, you may be in need of a significant amount of costly medical treatment. Until you completely recover, you may not be able to go to work. If the injury is permanent, you may not be able to continue in your career. The subsequent loss in income could have a catastrophic impact on your life and the security of your family members. As a result, if the worker’s compensation settlement offer you received is far less than your injury related damages, it can cause a great deal of anxiety and fear for your future. A worker’s compensation attorney focuses on cases like the above scenario, and assists injured employees in getting the settlements that they deserve. If your offer was less than it should be, call an attorney today. They provide injured employees with a complimentary, no-obligation case review. This can be especially helpful as our worker’s compensation attorney can provide you with the clarity that you and your family need during this difficult chapter in your lives.

How do I know if the worker’s compensation settlement offer will be sufficient?

Every injury is different, and everyone’s ability to recover from a serious injury is different and depends on a number of factors. If they are in relatively good health and their immune system is strong, they may recover faster than someone who is already challenged with other serious health issues. If the injury requires one or more surgeries, recovery time may be longer than someone whose injury did not require surgery. When determining the full extent of damages associated with a workplace injury, hiring a worker’s compensation attorney can make all the difference. With the years of experience and insight offered by our attorney, your claim may be worth far more than if you were to file it on your own.

Can I get another settlement if I need more medical treatment later?

No. Once you accept a settlement, you will not be eligible to receive any additional compensation no matter your eventual circumstances. This is why it’s important to identify all of your past, present, and future damages associated with your workplace injury. A worker’s compensation attorney will help you with this. Most law firms belong to a professional network that include medical experts and others who will provide the critical information that is needed in order to file a claim that is inclusive of all damages. In this way, clients can receive the compensation they need in order to fully recover from their workplace injury, and the income they cannot earn while they are healing.

What should I do if I was injured at work?

After receiving proper medical care and a diagnosis about the nature and severity of your injury, consider consulting legal guidance. If your injury is particularly serious and will require costly medical treatment, hiring a workers compensation lawyer, like from the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt, may be in your best interest—call today to learn more about how they can help you.

What Is The Average Divorce Cost?

Determining the cost of a divorce isn’t easy. The average divorce cost could range from $500 for an uncontested divorce to $15,000 or more. There isn’t a checklist that can tell you what your divorce will cost, but you can think about what expenses you will have.

What Factors Influence the Cost of Your Divorce? 

An uncontested divorce is probably the least expensive way to become single again. This means that you agree with your spouse on everything, all that’s left is to have a judge sign off on your divorce. If you don’t have many assets and there are no children, this may be an option. Usually, divorces are contested. There are many things to work out. If your marriage is breaking down, deciding child custody and support is usually a contentious process. If you and your spouse can’t agree through the process using mediation or through your lawyers, a trial will be costly.

What Are Some of the Financial Costs of Divorce? 

The first cost that most people think about with a divorce is the lawyer’s fees. An attorney will be a big part of the expense of the divorce, but you will also have court costs and outside experts. You may also have to refinance loans to get the other spouse off the loan. Your housing costs will likely increase because the rent or mortgage isn’t being shared between the two of you. Some of your insurance policies may increase when you separate. Sometimes, it can be better to pay off debt than to divide it up, so you may need to consider those costs.

Have You Considered the Indirect Costs? 

Divorce is a stressful process, whether you and your spouse agree or not. You may have expenses that aren’t necessarily financial, but they will impact your finances. Don’t forget to factor in time off work for court or lawyer appointments. Many people attend therapy sessions during and after their divorce to heal. If you have kids, you’ll want to make sure they feel comfortable. You may have to be more available while they process their own feelings.

Divorce Can Be Expensive. What Are the Alternatives? 

There are ways to save money on your divorce. The more you and your spouse agree on, the less expensive your divorce can be. However, that isn’t always realistic. You should speak to an attorney, like a family attorney about your options and situation to make sure you get the divorce done right to start your life in the best way possible.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Construction Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured on the job, you may not have to turn to your health insurance company for medical coverage. Your employer should have a workers’ compensation policy to cover on-the-job incidents. The insurance will pay for your medical care and treatment. It can also pay a portion of your salary for any time you miss at work. If you are considering filing a claim, you need to know the proper process so things go smoothly.

Report Your Injury

Before you do anything about the incident, you should report it to your direct supervisor or to human resources immediately. Even minor injuries should be reported so they’re on record. Waiting too long could result in a denial of your workers’ compensation claim. For example, if you cut your hand on a piece of machinery, it could lead to an infection. However, if you didn’t report the initial injury, you won’t likely be able to file a workers’ compensation claim for the infection.

Work with Your Employer to Get Workers’ Compensation Coverage

Your employer’s human resources representative should help you file a workers’ compensation claim for your injury. This person or team should walk you through each step in the process, including filing the right paperwork.

The Time Frame

It’s in your best interest to file your claim as quickly as possible. Every state has different guidelines on how long you have to make your claim. In some places, the timeline is as short as one year, while in other states you may have three years or longer. If you don’t comply with these regulations, you won’t get the coverage you need.

Exceptions

You may, however, have a special circumstance that allows you to extend your filing. If your injuries were so severe that you were physically unable to go through the filing process, you may be able to have additional time to make your claim. Also, if you were in a coma, you might not have been able to file right away. Workers’ compensation may make an exception for you in this case. Another example would be if you didn’t discover a workplace ailment until later, and the deadline had already expired. This happens when a worker is exposed to a hazardous chemical or substance but symptoms didn’t manifest until years later.

If you are injured at work, speak with your employer and a lawyer, like a workers compensation lawyers from Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt, as soon as possible. Follow these rules and you should be able to get the financial help you need.

 

Claim Workers’ Compensation

Most employees are eligible to claim workers’ compensation from their employers when they become ill or injured due to their jobs. However, not all workers are employees, and there are even some employees who do not qualify for compensation.

The question of whether you qualify for workers’ compensation is not necessarily straightforward because the requirements vary by state. If you fall into one of the following categories, there may be a question about your eligibility for workers’ compensation at the very least.

Undocumented Workers

Some people come to the United States from another country without going through official immigration channels. They get jobs without providing evidence of eligibility to work in the United States. These people are undocumented workers, and different states have different rules governing whether they are eligible for compensation when they get hurt on the job. Some states specifically require that workers’ compensation cover immigrant workers who are undocumented. These include states along the Mexican border, such as Texas, California, and Arizona. Other states, including Wyoming and Idaho, do not require that workers’ compensation cover undocumented workers.

Non-Employees

Not everyone who works for a company is an employee. Some employers outsource certain types of jobs to independent contractors. These are people who provide services to other companies on a contract basis. In the eyes of the law, independent contractors are self-employed, which means that they cannot claim workers’ compensation.

Difficulties can arise when there is uncertainty over whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. A worker may believe he or she is an employee only to find out that the employer has inappropriately categorized him or her as an independent contractor. Sometimes this is a genuine mistake, but there have been instances in which employers purposely misclassified employees as independent contractors specifically to avoid paying benefits like workers’ compensation. If you have been misclassified as an independent contractor, you may need to provide evidence to prove your status as an employee.

Other Workers

People who work on a temporary or seasonal basis are often not eligible to receive workers’ compensation. Agricultural workers are sometimes not included, even if they work full time. Workers’ compensation may not cover people like babysitters, housekeepers, and nannies who work domestic jobs.

Contact our office if you believe you have been denied workers’ compensation unfairly or if you have questions about your eligibility.  

How to deal with a car accident during COVID-19

According to experts, traffic in the United States has been down 38 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic, which means that car accidents have also been reduced thanks to fewer cars on the road (Researchers at AutoInsuranceEZ.com report that fatal crashes in the Seattle area are down 100 percent).

Despite quarantines and sheltering in place, there are essential workers headed to job sites, so there are still cars on the road, making anxiety-inducing crashes a real possibility. While you may think that COVID-19 has brought enough anxiety into your world, knowing what to do after a crash before one occurs is an important way to ease stress in the event that one should occur.

If you should find yourself in an accident with another vehicle, following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as best as you can is the first step.

Following social distancing or donning a mask before exiting your vehicle are both important elements during the pandemic, even though they can be tricky to remember in the midst of a traumatic event.

Staying calm can help you process the accident and prevent the potential spread of coronavirus in the aftermath of an accident.

Here’s what to do:

  • Contact 911 to ensure the safety of everyone involved. There will also be police on hand to communicate safely with the other driver if you don’t feel comfortable doing so yourself or the other driver fails to take social distancing or other safety measures seriously.
  •   Practice social distancing (that’s six feet away from the other driver) and wear a mask to collect information, including the driver’s name, insurance information, plate number, license number and contact information. For safety, collect information to input into your cell phone rather than accepting a piece of paper, which according to experts, could carry the coronavirus for four or five days after handling.
  • Take photographs of the scene. Photos are important pieces of evidence, and along with a police report can tell a complete story of an accident scene.
  • Seek medical attention. We understand that visiting a medical facility can be nerve-wracking during the COVID-19 pandemic, and if your injuries aren’t serious, you might be able to set up an appointment by videoconference to reduce anxiety levels. Still, if you are experiencing any kind of pain, medical treatment is necessary. Because of rising wait times at emergency rooms, however, you might be better off visiting an urgent care facility to seek treatment.
  • Contact your insurance company. It’s important to report an accident as soon as possible to begin the claims process, if the accident was your fault. If it was not your fault, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will contact you.
  • Consider calling an attorney. If you expect to have medical bills, physical therapy, or extensive car repairs, an attorney can help ensure that the other driver’s insurance company doesn’t try to offer you less than you need to cover your expenses, including lost wages and pain and suffering if your injuries are severe.

Preparation is key

In order to ensure your safety in the event of a car accident, keep masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer in your vehicle at all times so you won’t find yourself at risk if you do have an accident.

A card with your personal information on it should also be kept in your car in case you are knocked unconscious in a crash and are unable to share such information.

Regulations on E-scooters

With today’s younger generations, climate change and sustainability has become a hot button issue. A charge led by the millennials and generation Z, they want to encourage greener practices and to alter the slippery slope of increasingly negative effects that result from climate change before it’s too late.

 

One innovation that’s becoming more popular with the masses is the usage of e-bikes and e-scooters. Being solar powered, you’ll never have to worry about it running out of energy as the solar panel is built into it. The concept is that you open the corresponding app, open a map to show available e-scooters in your area, pay a small fine to unlock it and you have a greener way to travel at your disposal.

 

But unfortunately its greatest benefit is also its greatest caveat. E-scooters are faster than regular bike while being slower than a motorcycle. Motorists have already managed maintaining a rocky relationship with those on regular bikes so that relationship becomes even more precarious with the integration of e-scooters which are even less easy to track in one’s peripheral vision while keeping an eye on the road. All it takes is one hairpin turn by either person to cause a collision and with the technology still being newly integrated into society, the laws and guidelines regarding e-scooters are still murky and a tad difficult to interpret.

 

While there’s no federal mandate regarding e-scooters, nearly every state has its own guidelines regarding e-scooters, as an attorney, like a Personal Injury Attorney at Patterson Bray, can attest. Each of these guidelines are seemingly tailored to the infrastructure in the state’s most populous cities as well as the landscape and their ability to accommodate e-scooters with the least amount of risk to motorists and other pedestrians.

 

For instance in the state of Nevada, the mandate is that one needs to be 16 years of age or older and that you can only ride them on a sidewalk. An interesting detail considering that slower bikes are allowed on the street. Meanwhile, in Oregon, the usage of e-scooters on sidewalks is prohibited and can only be used in the street. These guidelines can be expected considering that sidewalks in Nevada are larger, wider, and better kept up by local city governments compared to Oregon’s. Also, Oregon has invested more state finances into the development of bike paths and multiuse lanes compared to Nevada.

 

There are some states like New Mexico that increases the age limit to 18 and others like Rhode Island where you need a driver’s license just to use one even though the mechanics of using one is immensely different than that of a car. On the opposite hand, in Hawaii, e-scooters are treated in the same manner as bicycles and in New York, e-scooters aren’t legal for anyone to use altogether.

 

No matter where you happen to be traveling, make sure you keep up with the regulations and guidelines regarding e-scooters. Though federal laws are still murky, what guidelines that do exist were put up for the safety and well-being of everyone.

 

 

 

5 Police Mistakes That May Lead to DUI Dismissal

Facing a DUI charge can be stressful and overwhelming. However, you’ve got to keep in mind that being arrested for a DUI doesn’t automatically lead to a conviction, especially if the officers involved made any mistakes when handling your arrest. With the guidance of your DUI lawyer, you can increase your chances of the best possible outcome in your case and possibly even get your case dismissed because of one of the five common police errors in DUI cases below.

DUI Checkpoint that Doesn’t Meet Requirements

Sometimes, police officers fail to follow the rules required for DUI sobriety checkpoints. If the police violate multiple guidelines, the checkpoint could be labeled unconstitutional. Checkpoints must be publicized in advance, supervised, have adequate staffing, have an unbiased procedure in place for stopping cars, have a drug recognition expert on site and have safe procedures in place to prevent the creation of a traffic hazard.

Failure to Show Probable Cause for an Arrest

Outside of a DUI checkpoint, officers must have what is known as probable cause before stopping a driver and arresting them. This means the officers must have a valid reason to suspect you before they pull you over. If they do not, evidence gathered at the time you were arrested could be tossed out of court.

Mistakes with the Breathalyzer Test

A field breathalyzer has an error rate from .005 to .02 percent, and officers can also make mistakes when they are administering them. It’s usually advisable to take this test if you are asked to do so–refusal could lead to more serious penalties down the road–but your breathalyzer could also yield results that are not consistent with your true blood alcohol levels as shown by more reliable tests, resulting in the breathalyzer results being thrown out of court.

Not Able to Show You Were Driving While Intoxicated

As odd as it may sound, it’s not always easy for police to prove to the prosecutor that you were actually driving while intoxicated. If you were in an accident with others and no one saw you driving, for example, you could have been simply a passenger and never had physical control over the car.

Ketosis Test Inaccuracies

Both the popular Keto diet and ketosis stemming from having diabetes can lead to trouble with the breathalyzer results. The metabolic process during which your body burns stored fat for fuel can cause ketones, and they are similar in makeup to isopropyl alcohol. When you take a breathalyzer, the ketones can be emitted via your breath and cause a false positive.

As noted above, there are several mistakes that police can make in your DUI case. Even if these missteps were unintentional, they could allow for key evidence to be removed from consideration in your case. Speak to a lawyer in Denver, CO about your case as soon as possible to see if any of the above mistakes could be factors in your defense.

Thanks to Richard J. Banta, P.C. for their insight into criminal law and breathalyzer tests.

First Time Offender? Here’s What You Need to Know

Personal Injury Lawyer

If this is your first time being arrested for a crime, it’s only natural to be concerned about what is to come. Luckily, you do have options to protect your future, so consult with a criminal lawyer for assistance and guidance during this time.

What happens after I am arrested or charged?

After you’ve been charged with or arrested for a crime, there are multiple ways your situation could move forward from there. You could be arrested before charges are even brought–such as at the scene of an accident–booked into jail and then charged. You may be given a notice to appear in court. In either case, at this point, your case is officially in the system and will move forward.

Since the outcome of your case can vary, it’s crucial to work with a criminal lawyer if you think you will be charged and arrested or you have already been charged or arrested. An experienced attorney can explain your options and help build a strategy geared toward getting you the best potential outcome in your case.

It’s vital to keep in mind during this time that you are not automatically guilty just because you were arrested and/or charged. The prosecutor in your case has to prove in court that you are guilty before you receive any penalties. It’s important that you stay calm and allow your criminal lawyer to handle your case.

What penalties will I face?

There are a lot of potential penalties attached to the various criminal charges. Each offense is different and will come with its own set of consequences. However, there are some common penalties that a person convicted of a crime could be subject to, even if they are a first-time offender. These include time in jail, fines in high amounts, misdemeanor or felony convictions that remain on your record, community service time requirements, and probation. Depending on what you are charged with, a conviction could also impact your driver’s license and your ability to get a job in some fields or even in general.

A first-time offender may be subject to the same sorts of penalties as those who have been convicted before, but the law is sometimes forgiving toward people who do not have a criminal background. For example, there is a pre-trial diversion program that allows people charged with their first offense in some areas–such as drugs–to avoid a criminal record by following the terms of an agreement. This agreement may include things like probation, treatment programs and educational classes. A person who has been charged with a drug offense on the federal level may also be able to take part in the federal diversion program.

Preparing your defense

Being arrested for the first time in your life can be a very stressful experience, and it can have severe consequences. Work with an experienced lawyer in Denver, CO from the start of your case so your rights are protected and you have guidance throughout the legal process.

 


 

Thanks to Richard J. Banta, PC for their insight into criminal law and first time offenders.

My Workers’ Compensation Claim was Denied

Going to work is an important part of everyone’s day. Coming home is equally, if not more, important. But not everyone comes home in the same shape they left. Sometimes, we are victims of workplace injuries.

When you suffer a workplace injury, your sole focus should be on your recovery. The best way to do that is to work with a trusted workers’ compensation attorney who can help you maximize your recovery. 

What is workers’ compensation?

Workers’ compensation is insurance coverage carried by your employer. This insurance covers lost wages, medical expenses, and rehabilitation costs for employees who are injured on the job. 

Workers’ compensation insurance is no fault which means that it does not matter who caused the injury, the benefit is owed to you if you were injured on the job. However, there are exceptions. If you intended to injure yourself or someone else and you suffered an injury because of your actions, then you would not be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. There are other exceptions and that’s why it’s important to speak with a lawyer today.

I filed a claim but it was denied. What now?

If your workers’ compensation claim was denied and you have not yet hired a lawyer, now is the time to do so. Waiting any longer could be detrimental to your recovery. 

Your lawyer will help you determine why your claim was denied and what steps you need to take next. But you have to act fast as you only have limited time after your claim was denied to file an appeal. A law firm is ready to help guide you through the process. 

Should I still see my doctor?

Absolutely. Just because your workers’ compensation claim is denied, that does not mean you suddenly get better. You still need to focus on your physical recovery and the best way to do that is to keep seeing your doctor.

Your doctor will also help you determine the best course of action for your recovery. They can chart a course for your recovery while we are working hard to ensure your workers’ compensation appeal is granted and you get the benefits to which you are entitled.

Do I have to go to the insurance company’s doctor?

Yes but that doesn’t mean it’s the only doctor you can see. The workers’ compensation insurance company can and often will require you to see their doctor for an independent medical exam. But you can still see your doctor, especially if you do not think the insurance company doctor is providing the best treatment.

Insurance companies are often pushy. Don’t let them push you around and tell you that you can’t see your own doctor. You can. And we can help make sure your doctor’s report is included in your workers’ compensation claim.

A law firm is here to help.

A lawyer can answer all of the questions above and the countless others you may have. Workers’ compensation is a complex legal process and we want to give you the peace of mind you deserve, knowing that your claim is in good hands. Contact a Milwaukee work injury lawyer today to get started.

Thanks to Hickey & Turim, SC for their insight into workers compensation and denied claims.