Other Legal Insights
5 Things Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know
Unless you have been in an accident, you’ve probably had little opportunity to deal with an insurance adjuster. As long as you pay your premiums on time, you feel you have a good working relationship with your insurance company. That can change drastically, however, when it comes time to make
Managing Risk in the Construction Industry
In a way, the construction industry is a lot like the healthcare industry. Many patients wait until they are seriously ill to see a doctor. Insurance policies may have something to do with that tendency – most health insurance companies are more likely to pay for emergency care than they
Andrew Speicher: An Attorney with Heart
Andrew always knew his calling was to help people. After all, this path started for him long ago. There are few experiences more formative than growing up as “the Pastor’s kid.” Andrew would watch his father and maternal grandfather work to provide support and leadership to their local church congregations.
How much do you know about Rick Morefield?
You probably know he’s passionate about his clients. You probably know he loves practicing law. But there is a lot you don’t know about Rick. Rick’s journey to becoming a personal injury attorney started way back in high school when he competed in debate. But it wasn’t always a straight
MSB ALERT: New Ordinance on Employer’s use of Criminal Records
MSB ALERT: The City Council for Kansas City, Missouri recently passed restrictions on the ability of employers to inquire about and use a job applicant’s criminal history. Taking effect June 9, 2018, the city ordinance limits an employer’s ability to use criminal record information. Under this ordinance, employers will no
Safety Meetings and Toolbox-Talks: Are you doing these?
We strongly believe worker safety should be one of your top priorities as a construction firm. Do you have policies in place to ensure you are conducting safety meetings and toolbox talks? These need to be done regularly and the best way to ensure that is to have a formal
Substance Use in the Construction Industry: Are you addressing it?
The opioid crisis seems to be in the news a lot lately. Construction firms may be faced with the difficult tension of helping employees stay drug-free and maintaining a safe work environment. Drug use is more prevalent in high-risk industries and construction is typically considered a high-risk profession. This is
Addressing the Construction Worker Shortage Across the U.S.
According to a recent survey which questioned 1,000 firms nationwide, the construction industry is decidedly on an upswing. Firms appear to be optimistic and the demand for all types of construction services continues to increase. This overall optimism is seen in both public and private sectors which may be due
5 Tips When Dealing with Construction Contracts
Whether you are a general contractor or a subcontractor, it is important to have a complete understanding of your construction contract before starting the project. Often in the negotiation stage, the primary focus is on the client. You, of course, want to secure the job and give them what they
Driving in Winter Weather
Driving in winter weather can come with all sorts of unexpected dangers – slick roads, stranded vehicles, limited visibility and more. Keep these 5 tips in mind and share with your loved ones to be prepared for the unexpected this winter. Stay informed. Before heading out, make sure you are
Protecting Your Business During the Cold Weather Months
As the weather changes, different safety issues arise. In the summer, there are warm weather hazards to be aware of such as heat stroke and dehydration. Now that we are moving into the colder months, you should stay aware of how this change affects your employee’s safety and your bottom
From the Road to the Kitchen: Thanksgiving Safety Tips
Millions of Americans gather with loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving. The includes road trips to family who live in other states and lots of cooks in the kitchen. Did you know that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home fires as a result of cooking? Take a few minutes with
Creating a Company Culture of Safety
It’s no secret that construction work is dangerous. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 1 in every 5 fatalities in private industry is in the construction sector. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction site fatalities have been consistently on the rise. In 2015 alone, there
New Law Provides Payment Protection for Kansas Subcontractors and Suppliers
In April, important payment protections were put in place for subcontractors and suppliers for public work projects that were financed by public-private partnerships. This new law provides that a contractor with a prime contract for over $100,000 on a public-private project must provide both payment and performance bonds. This law
AIA Contract Revised for 2017
AIA has been an industry leader in providing form contracts to the construction industry for over 100 years. Every ten years their documents are revised to keep up with changes in the law. In 2017, a significant amount of their documents were updated. One frequently used AIA contract form that underwent