About Lisa Stickler
Articles written by Lisa Stickler
A Lawyer Can Help Assess Fault and Compensation After a Car Accident
In the moments following a car accident, reactions vary depending on the individual. In the face of traumatic stress, some people feel detached and dazed, while others may feel fearful, angry, or physically ill, according to the National Center for PTSD. Some become hyperfocused, their minds filling with questions and concerns: How quickly can my car be fixed? Will my medical expenses be covered? What if insurance rejects my claim? Was the accident my fault? Who should I call? The foremost …
What Is the Difference Between a DWAI and DWI in New York?
New York’s impaired driving laws are more complicated than you may think. While those who drive sober are unlikely to run afoul of these laws, it’s important to know how they apply to drivers. New York has three main drunk driving offenses: Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs (DWAI-Drugs) Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI). “DWI and DWAI-Drugs are misdemeanors and more, while DWAI is a traffic infraction and not criminal,” says Jeremy Saland, a …
How Hard Is It to Legally Immigrate to the US?
Immigration is a complex, emotional, and frequently debated topic in the United States, which is home to more immigrants than any other country, making the issue especially contentious and increasingly partisan. One thing that’s stayed the same, however, is the aspirations of today’s immigrants, which mirror those of their predecessors. “The American dream is still the goal,” says Kira Gagarin, an immigration attorney at Gagarin Law in Framingham, Massachusetts. “Immigrants want to …
Legally Protecting Both Sides in a Workers’ Comp Claim
“California is a no-fault workers’ compensation state,” explains Vivian Valdez Saldaña, an attorney at Valdez & Valdez in Fresno who has represented both workers and employers. “It means the employee does not have to prove their injury was caused by the fault or negligence of someone else or themselves.” A No-Fault System for Delivering Benefits when Workplace Injuries Occur The no-fault nature of workers’ comp was born out of something Kelsey Paddock refers to as “the great …
What It Takes to Prove Wrongful Termination
Most workers are at-will employees who can be fired for any reason or no reason at all and without advance notice. While being fired feels rotten, it is not patently improper. Thanks to the doctrine of at-will employment, there are myriad legitimate reasons for termination. “Personality conflicts, poor attendance (that is unrelated to a medical condition or protected leave), and poor performance are the most common lawful reasons for termination,” says Leah VanLandschoot, employment …
Protecting Illinois Workers: Understanding the Workers’ Compensation Act
No matter how many workplace safety measures your company puts in place, you simply cannot prevent every accident from occurring. When a workplace accident does occur, it—and the subsequent injuries—can trigger the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. “The goal of the Workers’ Compensation Act is to protect the workers of Illinois injured as a result of performing their work duties,” says Jason Kolecke, a workers’ compensation attorney at Hennessy & Roach in Chicago. “Under …
The Key Life Events That Demand a Fresh Look at Your Estate Plan
It’s a fact of life: Everyone dies eventually. The smartest way to prepare for this inevitability is to create an estate plan. But here’s the catch: The plan you make at 30, 40, or 50 usually isn’t the plan you’ll need at 70. “Generally, it makes sense to review your estate plan every five years,” says Michele Feinstein, an estate planning attorney at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin in Springfield, Massachusetts. And when should you make changes? “When there is an occurrence that …
Don’t Smoke and Drive
In March 2021, New York became the 15th state to legalize the use of recreational marijuana. Under the new law, when New Yorkers turn 21, they can: Legally consume cannabis; Possess three ounces of it; Smoke it in places where cigarette smoking is permitted; and Even grow a prescribed amount in their homes. But there are limits to the state law. Legalization Doesn’t Mean You Can Smoke With Impunity “When marijuana was recreationally legalized, people thought they were free to smoke with …
Michigan Workers’ Comp Laws: Avoid Adding Insult to Injury
Successful businesses focus on workplace safety, but accidents can happen in even the safest work environment. When they do, the Michigan Workers’ Disability Compensation Act is triggered. “In Michigan, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system designed to provide benefits to injured workers, without regard to the negligence of the injured individual,” says Nick Risko, a workers’ comp attorney at Bleakley, Cypher, Parent, Warren & Quinn in Grand Rapids. “The goal of the …
California’s New Pay Transparency Laws
California’s lawmakers have embraced the so-called “era of transparency.” The state’s recently enacted pay transparency law (Senate Bill No. 1162), which became effective January 1, 2023, requires pay scale disclosures and enhanced pay data reporting—plus a decent amount of additional employer leg work and record-keeping. “The overall intent is to allow for the adjustment of inequities in the workplace—both intentional and stereotypical,” says Richard Rybicki, an employment and …
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