Workers comp law

Legal Traps to Avoid When Dealing with Family Medical & Leave Act Requests

Workers comp law

If you are confused about navigating the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, here’s a handy list of mistakes to avoid.

Firing – It would be a bad idea to fire an employee if they’re unable to return to work following the end of FMLA leave that is due to their serious health condition. Better to find out if the employee is entitled to any additional time off under employment laws or through company policies.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may consider granting of additional leave “reasonable accommodation,” in legal terms.

That definition comes from determining whether the employee’s condition is a disability. Under the ADA, most serious health conditions as defined by the FMLA are considered disabilities. If you’re in doubt, ask your legal counsel for advice.

Then you have to figure out whether the requested time off is legally considered “reasonable.” Under the ADA, you as an employer don’t have to grant leave as an accommodation if it poses “hardship” or “undue hardship.”

Miscalculation – You are able to calculate FMLA leave by either calendar year, any fixed 12-month period, or the 12 months measured forward from when an employee’s FMLA leave begins. It can also be calculated backward from a 12-month period from the date an employee uses the leave.

Deadlines – Meeting FMLA deadlines for processing requests for leave under its guidelines is critical. Within five business days of learning an employee needs FMLA leave, you must provide them with the “Notice of Eligibility Rights and Responsibilities Form,” or something similar that your company has prepared.

Next, if you require the employee to file a certification form, you must allow them 15 calendar days to do so. Then, within five business days of receiving the certification form, you must provide the employee with an FMLA designation form that tells them whether the request has been approved.

But if the certification form is incomplete or insufficient, you then must allow the worker seven calendar days to make necessary corrections in the form. You must give a written notice to employees of all deadlines, and the consequences of failing to meet them.

Bonuses – Some confusion has arisen over how to determine an employee’s bonus eligibility when they haven’t been able to meet bonus objectives due to FMLA leave. You can disqualify an employee for failing to meet bonus objectives even if they are on FMLA, as long as employees on similar leave are treated the same.

So, an employee who used vacation leave during an FMLA leave should be treated the same as one who used vacation while not on FMLA leave, be it paid or unpaid.

Reassignment – If you want to reassign an employee on FMLA leave for better efficiency, you can only do so for employees who need intermittent or reduced schedule leave.

Reassignments can be done for the employee, family or covered service member if such leaves are a planned medical treatment, a period of recovery from a serious health condition, or due to the birth of a child or placement of a child into adoption or foster care. Beyond that, the reassignment is to be only as long as is required by the leave period.

You are also prohibited from transferring employees to a position to discourage them from taking FMLA leave. That means you can’t demote them from accounting to janitor, even if their pay and benefits remain the same at the reassigned position.

You must make sure, however, that benefits and pay stay the same in the reassigned position. Otherwise, you may be seen as interfering with the individual’s FMLA rights.

Meanwhile, you may not require a transfer to another job when the employee’s need for an intermittent or reduced schedule is unforeseeable.

The takeaway

As you can see, the FMLA is a veritable minefield for employers and, if an employee requests leave under the law, you must make sure you don’t do anything to infringe on their rights, lest you open your organization to being sued.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWFmjYirlkw[/embedyt]

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Funding for the Construction Industry, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance and Personal lines.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;   9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 50+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages.  We help contractors set up proper risk transfer mechanisms.  If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer mechanisms, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs that lower them.

New Jersey and Connecticut Contractors:  We have a fiercely competitively priced (savings up to 50%)  General Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Workers Compensation program.  Want to lower these costs?  Get a quote today!

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.   
     
http://www.bgesgroup.com or http://www.workerscomp.store

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

© – Copyright – BGES Group

Rain and insurance

Protecting Your Workers in the Rain

Rain and insurance

Employees working in the rain face specific hazards, such as poor visibility and wet, slippery surfaces.

When it’s wet and windy, potential hazards at a worksite can be exacerbated. Working in the rain can cause slippery surfaces and limited visibility. It’s also riskier to use heavy equipment in the rain, particularly when moving heavy loads, putting workers on the ground – and even the public – in danger.

However, steps can be taken to mitigate such hazards.

It’s imperative that you as an employer ensure your employees’ safety, especially during this heavy year for rain. When working in the rain, train your employees to:

* Move cautiously – While workers may be tempted to move fast in the rain to avoid getting wet, this can be dangerous, especially on slippery surfaces. If anything, they should work more slowly and deliberately in all of their tasks.

* Use the correct equipment – If workers must use electrical tools or equipment, they need to check that they are specifically rated for outdoors. Also, the tools should have textured, no-slip grips and handles.

* Don proper footwear – Workers should wear footwear with heavy treads that can reduce the chances of slipping.

* Remember rain gear – Proper rain gear includes rain pants and a raincoat. The best clothing is ventilated to help your workers stay comfortable. If it’s cold and rainy, they should also wear wool or synthetic materials that can stay warm even when wet.

* Wear non-slip gloves – Workers should wear gloves that provide a sticky grip even when wet. Gloves should be snug and long enough for a jacket sleeve to prevent water from entering.

* Keep vision clear – Workers who wear glasses (if they must wear goggles for certain jobs) should apply anti-fog spray to them. It’s also advisable to wear a hat to keep rain from their eyes. They shouldn’t use headgear that narrows their field of vision.

* Work in proper lighting – When working at night, workers should make sure lighting is adequate and the lights used are rated for outdoor use.

* Ensure visibility – When it’s raining, visibility decreases and it’s easy for motorists and machine operators to have trouble seeing properly. Workers should wear high-visibility clothing, especially in areas with vehicle traffic and heavy machinery. Don’t wear rain gear or vests that have become dull or are no longer reflective.

Cold stress

When it rains, it’s often cold, too – and wet clothing can exacerbate the cold.

Employees working outdoors for prolonged periods of time when it’s cold must be protected from cold stress. Cold stress can cause frostbite, hypothermia and trench foot.

OSHA advises that cold stress is not limited to freezing temperatures, but can occur in outdoor temperatures in the 50-degree Fahrenheit range when rain and wind are present.

OSHA requires addressing this hazard by using protective clothing, in particular the use of layers with an outer material that protects against wind and rain. Although OSHA generally requires employers to pay for their workers’ protective equipment, employers are not required to pay for ordinary clothing such as raincoats.

Heavy-work dangers

Rain makes operating cranes, derricks and hoists more dangerous as well, particularly when moving large and heavy objects. Heavy rain combined with wind speed can make loads difficult to control.

Also, if a rainstorm is accompanied by lightning, equipment such as a crane can become a lightning rod.

If you feel you cannot adequately protect your workers during a storm, you should not conduct operations in the rain.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWFmjYirlkw[/embedyt]

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Funding for the Construction Industry, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance and Personal lines.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;   9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 50+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages.  We help contractors set up proper risk transfer mechanisms.  If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer mechanisms, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs that lower them.

New Jersey and Connecticut Contractors:  We have a fiercely competitively priced (savings up to 50%)  General Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Workers Compensation program.  Want to lower these costs?  Get a quote today!

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.   
     
http://www.bgesgroup.com or http://www.workerscomp.store

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

© – Copyright – BGES Group

BGES Group Insurance

Top 10 Workplace Injuries, and How to Reduce Accidents

BGES Group Insurance

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.’s “2019 Workplace Safety Index” reports on the causes and costs of the most common injuries across eight major industries. The list can be a good guide for employers, helping them understand the kinds of injuries which are most likely to occur on their worksites.

With the information in hand, you can review your current workplace safety programs to make sure you are focusing your efforts in the right area.

According to Liberty Mutual, the 10 costliest causes of workplace injury and illness are:

  1. Overexertion involving outside sources ($13.1 billion)

  2. Falls on same level ($10.4 billion)

  3. Struck by object or equipment ($5.2 billion)

  4. Falls to lower level ($4.9 billion)

  5. Other exertions or bodily reactions ($3.7 billion)

  6. Roadway incidents involving a motorized vehicle ($2.7 billion)

  7. Slip or trip without falling ($2.2 billion)

  8. Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects ($1.9 billion)

  9. Repetitive motions involving micro-tasks ($1.6 billion)

  10. Struck against object or equipment ($1.2 billion)

The total cost of the above workplace injuries was $46.9 billion in 2016 – the source year for the data used by Liberty Mutual in compiling its latest annual report. These top 10 injuries accounted for 85% of all workers’ comp claims in eight industries.

What you can do

To ensure you keep your workplace as safe as possible, make sure you have safety protocols for the most likely injury types. Training and management buy-in is the key to a better safety environment. We’ll look at how to prevent the top three injuries here:

Overexertion – An overexertion injury happens when a worker becomes fatigued or performs a job where the body’s capacity to complete the task was not sufficiently considered.

Both can cause a mismatch between the physical capacity of workers and the physical demands of their jobs. These types of injuries are difficult to address since everyone has different physical strengths and stamina.

First determine what types of strains and sprains are occurring among your workforce. Are there obvious jobs that demand high levels of strength, such as those requiring lifting? If so, consider using engineering controls such as mechanical lift assists, overhead hoists and other controls to improve the positioning of products.

Another step would be to reduce the amount of weight lifted.

If high-strength jobs are not the problem, try to determine whether fatigue is a factor by talking to your workers about their daily duties and how often they take breaks. Short, more frequent breaks help prevent fatigue better than longer, less frequent ones.

Struck by object – To avoid struck-by injuries, require that your workers:

  • Wear hard hats to avoid falling objects.

  • Stack materials properly to prevent sliding, falling or collapse.

  • Always wear proper PPE (hard hats, safety glasses, goggles and face shields).

  • Never walk around and use mobile phones while working.

  • Don’t carry something in a way that will obstruct their view.

  • Make sure drawers and cabinets are always closed when not in use.

  • Only open one drawer at a time to prevent a tip-over.

Falls on same level – To reduce the chances of your workers injuring themselves from trips and falls, you should focus on:

  • Good housekeeping: A clean workplace is a safer workplace.

  • If you have a spill, rope it off, clean it up and workers should alert co-workers and supervisors of the spill.

  • Workers should always use cable covers or tape to prevent co-workers from tripping over cords.

  • Train your workers not to rush, and to be aware of their surroundings. They should not be distracted by their smartphones while walking, and not carry too much at once.

  • Train your workers not to work in dimly lit areas.

  • Your workers should wear shoes that are in good condition and tightly tied every shift.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWFmjYirlkw[/embedyt]

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Funding for the Construction Industry, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance and Personal lines.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;   9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 50+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages.  We help contractors set up proper risk transfer mechanisms.  If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer mechanisms, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs that lower them.

New Jersey and Connecticut Contractors:  We have a fiercely competitively priced (savings up to 50%)  General Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Workers Compensation program.  Want to lower these costs?  Get a quote today!

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.   
     
http://www.bgesgroup.com or http://www.workerscomp.store

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

© – Copyright – BGES Group

BGES Group Insurance

Protecting Your Firm as an Additional Insured

BGES Group Insurance

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We have 50 insurance companies to market your General Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Workers Compensation, Bid & Performance Bonds and Group Health coverages to.  We have special discounted contractor programs…pricing can be unbeatable (we have a program for NJ and CT contractors whose coverage is excellent and pricing can be up to 50% less), have extensive knowledge about policy forms, exclusions, risk transfer, sub contractor screening and whenever you call you’ll get us on the phone immediately.  If you are looking for better coverage &/or lower pricing contact Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 TODAY.

Article:

IN THE course of doing business, you may sometimes find yourself entering into contracts requiring that your firm be named as an additional insured on another party’s insurance policies.

This is often done to make sure that your own insurance is not depleted by defense and indemnification costs for losses for which you may be legally liable as a result of the business relationship you have with the other party, but that are not due to your own firm’s direct negligence.

Definition: An individual or entity that is not automatically included as an insured under the policy of another, but for whom the named insured’s policy provides a certain degree of protection.

When to Be an Additional Insured

There are many times when you may want your firm included as an additional insured on another’s policy. Here are just a few examples:

  • If you are a building owner, you want to be an additional insured on the property and general liability insurance of your tenants in case one of them damages your building or in case a visitor to the property is injured.

  • If you are the owner or a contractor on a construction project, you want to be an additional insured on the general liability insurance of your contractors and subcontractors in case there is an injury to one of their employees.

  • If you are a distributor or a retailer, you may want to be an additional insured on the insurance programs of the manufacturers of the products that you sell.

  • If a contractor comes onto your property to perform work of any type, including erecting displays or maintenance or structural work, you will want to be named as an additional insured on their policy in case the display falls on someone, or someone is injured due to the work they are performing. You don’t want to be held responsible for any dangers or injuries created by their work.

If you are to become an additional insured on another company’s policy, confirm that the other party has indeed named your company as such with their insurance company.

You should ask for a copy of the policy that explicitly lists your company as an additional insured. You want to see a copy of the policy and the certificate of insurance, although the latter is not sufficient proof that your company has been added.

Additional insured status is effectively conferred through an additional insured endorsement to the other party’s original insurance policy.

An endorsement serves as an amendment to the terms of the policy that is incorporated into the relevant insurance policy. These amendments can take the form of an endorsement that specifically names a particular additional insured, or a general endorsement that identifies some class of parties as additional insureds.

If there is a dispute about your company’s status as an additional insured, you will want to have in hand not only the other party’s certificate of insurance, but also a copy of the policy itself and the endorsement that makes your company an additional insured.

There are a few best practices that you can implement to help make certain your firm’s status as an additional insured has been properly secured:

  • At a minimum, always insist on receiving a copy of the relevant additional insured endorsement, as this is the instrument that establishes additional insured status;

  • An additional insured endorsement does not, however, state an insurance policy’s terms and conditions. In order to avoid being surprised by unexpected policy terms (such as strict notice requirement or unfavorable notice of cancellation provisions), you should ask for and receive a copy of the entire insurance policy under which you are an additional insured, and be sure to read it;

  • Retain additional insured endorsements and the relevant insurance policies for as long as there is any potential that claims triggering those policies might be made.

Gary Wallach Call 914-806-5853 or email: bgesgroup@gmail.com

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWFmjYirlkw[/embedyt]

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Funding for the Construction Industry, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance and Personal lines.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;   9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 50+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages.  We help contractors set up proper risk transfer mechanisms.  If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer mechanisms, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs that lower them.

New Jersey and Connecticut Contractors:  We have a fiercely competitively priced (savings up to 50%)  General Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Workers Compensation program.  Want to lower these costs?  Get a quote today!

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.   
     
http://www.bgesgroup.com or http://www.workerscomp.store

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

© – Copyright – BGES Group

BGES Group Video

If You are a NY, NJ, CT Contractor Who Is Unhappy With Their Workers Comp Pricing, Company, Service Try Ours and Save Up To 40%

BGES Group Video

(We are NOT a State or Assigned Risk Plan)

About Our Program

 1. Pricing can be up to 40% less than what you now pay.

                      

 2. Our program has been in business for 22 years.  It offers long-term coverage stability again at competitive pricing.

 3. We cover most contractors including carpenters, drywall, masonry, tiling, painters, elevator contractors, interior demolition, roofers, etc.  Usually the only contractors we cannot cover are asbestos or ones that work on the exterior of buildings at heights in excess of 3 stories.  We also cover limousine services, auto services, local truckers, manufacturers and under separate programs staffing agencies.

 4. Our program is designed so you never over or under pay.  When business is slow your premium is lowered.  The good news is you usually will not owe anything at time of audit.

 5. Binding coverage requires a low deposit.  No renewal deposits are required though.

 6. We can cover your operations in NY, NJ and CT.  Please note state plans usually cover only that states operations.  If you work out of state weeks at a time, you are exposed to uncovered medical and loss of wage claims.

7. Our services are FIRST CLASS.  When you call you get us on the phone immediately.  When you request a certificate it’s done immediately (or you can issue your own certificates using our on-line service).  When you have a problem we deal with it immediately and take the worry away from you.  We have a medical network your employees can use if injured (in NY it’s optional).  This way we help you avoid fraudulent claims and mitigate claim reserves and amounts paid.

8. Person who will be servicing your account has 37 years experience, is professional, pleasant, helpful and knows the ins and outs of the workers compensation system and how to get you great rates and the right coverage.

To Speak With Us Call 914-806-5853, click here to email or click here to visit our website .

Problems We Can Help You With 

1. Rates too high?  We have programs whose rates can be up to 40% lower than what you now pay.
2. In the middle of an audit dispute?   Being told pay or be cancelled?  Company charging you for uninsured subcontractors?  We can help you with audit disputes as well as give you a back-up plan just in case you need one.

3. Now without coverage?  We can help you get worker’s compensation even if you’ve been without coverage for months.

4. Classified incorrectly? – In a higher rated class code and your company wont budge? There are some companies that if your i’s are not dotted and t’s crossed will take all your payroll and throw it into the highest rated category. They have no interest in showing you what to do. They want you to pay as much as possible. With us, we know the rules and will help you properly classify payrolls so you don’t overpay.

5. Working in multiple states?  If you’ are with a company that can only cover your home state (usually state or assigned risks plans) yet you work in other states, you may have a big uncovered financial exposure.  Our programs can cover you in multiple states.

6. Poor loss experience? – Had some bad luck lately? We’ve helped accounts with claims totaling $500,000, $1,300,000 and over $2,000,000 obtain coverage. These days we are seeing more questionable claims. If you need help, give us a call.

7. Is your Agency’s service poor? Can you get someone on the phone when you need to? Do you speak to a different person every time you call?  When you send an email does it take days before you hear back? Is your agency charging you a 10% service fee yet doing nothing?  With us you’ll speak to one person who will immediately answer your call. We do not charge service fees.

8. Have your Worker’s Compensation with a payroll service who is NOT transparent with their rates?  This should not be the case.  Some companies charge you for everything so if you’re not scrutinizing your bills you could be paying a lot more than you think.  Let us help figure what you are paying so you’re not overpaying.

9. High Experience Modification Factor?- Let us do an analysis and try to lower it.   Won’t cost you anything.  Maybe we can get you money back, thousands, tens of thousands.

10. Whatever your issue we can help. Even though we have not mentioned the issue of concern know we can help.    For 37 years we have specialized at Worker’s Compensation. Helping you is our #1 priority.  We are frugal when it comes to YOUR money. We do not charge service fees (unless the insurance company we use does not pay us a commission).  We want to understand your needs, your issues, and work together to help.

Gary Wallach Call 914-806-5853 or email: bgesgroup@gmail.com

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWFmjYirlkw[/embedyt]

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Funding for the Construction Industry, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance and Personal lines.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;   9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 50+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages.  We help contractors set up proper risk transfer mechanisms.  If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer mechanisms, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs that lower them.

New Jersey and Connecticut Contractors:  We have a fiercely competitively priced (savings up to 50%)  General Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Workers Compensation program.  Want to lower these costs?  Get a quote today!

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.   
     
http://www.bgesgroup.com or http://www.workerscomp.store

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

© – Copyright – BGES Group

BGES Group Insurance

Documenting Small Safety Incidents Key to Preventing Major Ones

BGES Group Insurance

Studies show that for every major workplace injury or fatality, there are nearly 10 minor injuries – and more than 30 accidents that lead to property damage.

Capturing data even on minor incidents that may seem trivial in isolation can be critical in informing efforts to prevent much greater dangers in the future. A big part of that effort involves ensuring businesses maintain a complete set of data.

Managers at all levels should focus on solid and thorough documentation. Here is where management’s main effort should be concentrated:

Don’t ignore minor incidents. Document all of them. Even if you have avoided injuries and severe property damage so far, keeping careful records may provide critical risk management insights – and enable managers to take action to prevent accidents before they occur.

Identify patterns. Do minor incidents seem to happen in the same area? Involve the same or similar machinery? Are they in the same department or under the same manager? Careful record-keeping is a valuable tool for identifying patterns.

Discourage presenteeism. Workers who come to work sick may be taking medications that increase the risk of incidents. Workers are not robots: Sick or distracted workers may make serious or deadly mistakes. To prevent this, have a sustainable sick day policy and encourage workers to take time off when needed – especially in dangerous occupations.

Encourage reporting. Studies have shown that the vast majority of minor incidents are not properly reported or recorded.

One study found that 85% of workers told researchers they had experienced work-related symptoms, 50% had experienced persistent work-related medical symptoms and 30% reported they had lost time from an incident or from a repetitive motion injury – yet only 5% of workers told researchers they had formally reported any of these incidents.

When asked why they didn’t report safety incidents, workers cited a number of reasons:

  • Fear of reprisal

  • Poor management response to prior reports

  • Fear of losing their job or being transferred to a less desirable position

  • Belief that pain or another medical symptom was a normal consequence of work activity or ageing.

Maintain OSHA-required injury logs. By federal law, most employers must maintain the following safety documents:

  • OSHA Form 300 –  Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses

  • OSHA Form 300A – Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses

  • OSHA Form 301 – Injury and Illness Incident Report

Employers with 10 or fewer employees at all times during the preceding calendar year are exempt from the federal requirement, though many states may impose more stringent requirements.

Record near misses. Often, near misses – in which property damage, injury or fatality were narrowly avoided – can provide data that’s just as valuable as for incidents resulting in actual damages or injuries. This information can prove vital to informing prevention efforts.

Perhaps most importantly, carefully documenting all safety incidents and near misses, however minor, may help establish a culture of safety throughout the organization.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWFmjYirlkw[/embedyt]

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Funding for the Construction Industry, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance and Personal lines.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;   9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 50+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages.  We help contractors set up proper risk transfer mechanisms.  If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer mechanisms, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs that lower them.

New Jersey and Connecticut Contractors:  We have a fiercely competitively priced (savings up to 50%)  General Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Workers Compensation program.  Want to lower these costs?  Get a quote today!

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.   
     
http://www.bgesgroup.com or http://www.workerscomp.store

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

© – Copyright – BGES Group

BGES Group Insurance

Can your Business Survive with the Loss of a Key Employee?

BGES Group Insurance

In today’s economy, this is becoming the most important question a small business can ask. And they may need to determine the answer to this question sooner rather than later.

“Take away all my factories and my equipment. Take away my wealth. But leave me with my key people and in a short time I’ll have it all back again.” – Attributed to Andrew Carnegie

Many business owners define “key” people based on:

  • High Salary – High value put on employee

  • Decision-making power – Control business direction

  • Frequent direct client contact – Substantial power base: the relationships that business success depends on.

  • Crucial position – Product development, production, technology or sales.

  • Special talents – Difficult to replace.

  • And of course, in the vast majority of businesses, the owner who is involved in day to day operations may be the most important employee of all.

What impact would their loss have on the business?  What would be the economic impact if key Employees suffer a disability?

Employees that offer unique contributions desire unique rewards.  However, individual benefits will have an even greater impact on the high performer. The truth is that bonuses are expected, and when paid are quickly spent and forgotten.  Benefits, on the other hand, can last a lifetime.

These benefits can be accomplished by using strategies that are not directly regulated by the federal government and fall outside the auspices of ERISA.  Unlike IRAs or 401k programs, these strategies don’t limit the level of funding.

Disability Benefit Plan 

This type of plan allows the small business owner to pay a bonus to an employee that is used to fund valuable insurance coverage for them and their family, and is a tax deduction for their business.

  • Your key employee receives much-needed disability insurance coverage at little or no cost

  • You can pick and choose to whom this benefit would be offered and at what level

  • No administrative or government reporting costs

The employer pays a bonus to the employee.  The bonus is deductible to the employer and taxable to the employee.  The employee maintains all the rights associated with owning a disability benefit.

What will happen to the business if the partner becomes disabled?

Today, there are cost effective ways to protect a business from these events that threaten their long-term profitability.

What will happen to the business if one of the small business owners were to become disabled?

If a business owner is unable fulfill their management responsibilities…The remaining disabled owner’s family, or partners and shareholders, arrive at a serious crossroads in the life of the business.

What is the next step?

You will need to acquire some additional details to begin designing a custom plan that does the best job of solving the unique needs of your small business. Talk to your trusted advisor today so you can protect tomorrow’s business.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWFmjYirlkw[/embedyt]

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Funding for the Construction Industry, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance and Personal lines.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;   9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 50+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages.  We help contractors set up proper risk transfer mechanisms.  If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer mechanisms, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs that lower them.

New Jersey and Connecticut Contractors:  We have a fiercely competitively priced (savings up to 50%)  General Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Workers Compensation program.  Want to lower these costs?  Get a quote today!

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.   
     
http://www.bgesgroup.com or http://www.workerscomp.store

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

© – Copyright – BGES Group

BGES Group Insurance

Workers Compensation – Violating Workers’ Comp Laws can be Costly for Employers

BGES Group InsuranceWorkers’ Compensation insurance can be a large cost for employers. This is especially true in the construction industry. Construction workers face all manner of dangerous hazards. Injuries on construction sites can be frequent and severe. As a result, Workers’ Compensation costs contractors a lot of money.

Trying to skip out on paying Workers’ Comp benefits can cost even more. A California employer found that out the hard way.

One of the contractor’s employees suffered a puncture wound to a foot while on a job site. He reported the injury to his employer. The employer refused to submit a claim, and he did not pay any Workers’ Comp benefits on his own. Consequently, the employee’s wound went untreated and it became infected. When he finally did see a doctor, the infection was too serious for antibiotics to treat. Surgeons had to amputate his leg below the knee. He filed a claim with the insurance company on his own. The insurer awarded him benefits as a permanently disabled worker.

An investigation of the contractor revealed that this was not the first time he’d declined to report a worker’s injury. He also owed thousands of dollars in back Workers’ Comp insurance premiums. Worse, he misclassified some employees as independent contractors. This meant that he wasn’t withholding and paying payroll and Social Security taxes for them.

The result? The contractor was arrested and charged with multiple felony counts of Workers’ Compensation fraud. He faces up to five years behind bars.

This story has several morals for business owners:

  • Classify and report all payroll properly. If an employer misclassifies employees, the authorities will eventually find out. They deal with fraud often enough that they can easily recognize the signs. Some states have enacted laws specifically designed to root out worker classification fraud. New York enacted such a law in 2010, with stiff penalties for employers who misclassify. Maryland fines employers who deliberately misclassify up to $5,000 for a first offense and double that for subsequent violations.

  • If a worker gets hurt on the job, report it to the insurance company promptly. Delaying an injury report or not reporting at all are very bad ideas. The penalties employers face for violating state Workers’ Comp laws can be significant. In Colorado, violating employers can be fined up to $1,000 per day for each violation. A long-delayed report can easily result in a six-figure penalty.

  • If your business cannot afford to self-insure, buy a Workers’ Comp policy.State authorities are not gentle with employers who violate this requirement. Florida law allows the Workers’ Comp Division to issue stop-work orders within 72 hours of determining that an employer is in violation, with $1,000 daily fines for violating the order. Minnesota assesses fines of up to $1,000 per week per employee for noncompliance. Businesses that break these laws may soon find themselves out of business.

The Workers’ Comp system exists to give injured workers reliable and prompt benefits while shielding employers from lawsuits. Employers who try to skirt the system will find themselves in the same position that this contractor did. That’s a position they do not want to be in.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWFmjYirlkw[/embedyt]

BGES Group’s office, located in Larchmont, NY is a full service insurance agency offering, Property, Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Bid & Performance Bonds, Inland Marine, Funding for the Construction Industry, Worker’s Compensation, New York State Disability, Group Health, Life insurance and Personal lines.

BGES Group are Worker’s Compensation Specialists for the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – Issues we address: 1) Lowering pricing – we have specialty programs that can save you up to 40%; 2) Finding a new company; 3) Being cancelled or non renewed; 4) Audit disputes; 5) Company creating fictitious payroll at audit time; 6) Lowering high experience modifications factors; 7) Misclassification of payrolls; 8) Lowering or eliminating renewal deposits;   9) Getting coverage when you’ve been without for a few months; 10) Covering multiple states under one policy; 11) Eliminating 10% service or policy fees; 12) Timely issuance of certificates; 13) Always being able to get someone on the phone or by email when you need to.

Special Contractor Insurance Programs (NY, NJ, CT) – We we have 50+ insurance companies to market your general liability, umbrella liability, business auto, workers compensation, bid & performance bonds and group health coverages.  We help contractors set up proper risk transfer mechanisms.  If you’re a contractor we offer extensive information about insurance markets, coverages, risk transfer mechanisms, subcontractor screening, ways to lower your insurance costs that lower them.

New Jersey and Connecticut Contractors:  We have a fiercely competitively priced (savings up to 50%)  General Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Auto, Workers Compensation program.  Want to lower these costs?  Get a quote today!

If you would like to speak with us call Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853 or click here to email or click here to visit our website.   
     
http://www.bgesgroup.com or http://www.workerscomp.store

Company: BGES Group, 216A Larchmont Acres West, Larchmont, NY 10538

e-mail: bgesgroup@gmail.com

© – Copyright – BGES Group