The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 Part Three applies to all "services Providers"?that is, anyone who provides goods or services to the public, whether for profit or not. Accordingly, the scope?of the DDA is enormous, covering for example churches, retailers, schools,?leisure facilities & hospitals.
DID YOU KNOW?
On 2nd December 1996 it became unlawful for service providers to treat a disabled person less favourably than a non-disabled person for a reason relating to their disability.
ARE YOU AWARE?
Since 1st October 1999 Service Providers have been obliged to:
- Alter practices, policies or procedures that make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for a disabled person to use their services; and
- Provide Auxiliary Aids or services to assist a disabled person to access their services.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
Since 1st October 2004 Service Providers are obliged to have made reasonable adjustments to any physical features of their premises which present a barrier to access for disabled people. This must be done by altering, removing or adjusting building features, or by providing a reasonable means of avoiding a feature which presents the barrier to access.
If you are unsure whether the DDA 1995 affects you and your business and need further information then you can contact us at www.centralsafetyconsultancy.co.uk and someone will more than happy to help.
About The Author
David Cant is Qualified DDA access auditor who owns his own consultancy practice Central Safety consultancy Service Limited operating throughtout the UK. if you have any questions regarding health and safety you can drop him an email if you so wish at david@centralsafetyconsultancy.co.uk.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Accident Injury Claims Done Right
When dealing with a car accident, finding and hiring a qualified attorney can help you a great deal. They will help ease your mind through dealing with all the legal aspects of your situation while you focus on coping with the pain and suffering of such a traumatic event. There are lawyers out there ready and willing to make sure that you are compensated for being hurt in a situation that you may not have had any control over.
Never hesitate after an accident when seeking medical and legal help. Many people don?t know until much later that they even have an injury after a car accident. They are usually so scared and rattled that if they feel okay enough, they go home and sleep it off and try to reestablish normal activities the next day. Or, if they are in pain, they might seek the advice of family and friends who may tell them not to worry, that it is just neck pain and it will go away with time. This is all really bad a dvice. There could be internal injuries that over time could become major or even life threatening problems.
A very serious problem that is often overlooked is an internal head injury. Just because a car crash victims head is not bleeding, does not mean that they are okay. Closed head injuries often occur some time after the accident and can go unnoticed and often occur when a car crash victim?s head is sudden thrust into a hard surface (steering wheel, dashboard, back of the front seat) at rapid speeds. These types of injuries often do not penetrate the skull and can be overlooked at first. These types of collisions result in internal injuries within the brain.
Even whiplash can cause a closed head injury. Other types of closed head injuries include bleeding from the head or face, confusion, lethargy, loss of hearing or fluid drainage from the nose or ears.
Another, more traumatic injury caused by car accidents is permanent or temporary paralysis. Paralysis occurs when the vital nerves that control various body parts are damaged or severed. This happens when there is a traumatic impact to the neck or spinal cord resulting in parts of the body not being able to retain the same mobility or sensations that they once had.
When paralysis occurs, it can be an extremely difficult time for the victim and his/her family. They are faced with life long challenges and may need constant round-the-clock care for the rest of their lives. Temporary paralysis occurs when a nerve is pinched or inflamed. In any case, seek help quickly. Don?t hesitate. You may be entitled to seek compensation for your injuries. It is important that you contact a qualified car accident attorney today and get a case review.
About The Author
Ashley Green - Accident Attorney at http://accident-attornies.info
More useful free info....
Never hesitate after an accident when seeking medical and legal help. Many people don?t know until much later that they even have an injury after a car accident. They are usually so scared and rattled that if they feel okay enough, they go home and sleep it off and try to reestablish normal activities the next day. Or, if they are in pain, they might seek the advice of family and friends who may tell them not to worry, that it is just neck pain and it will go away with time. This is all really bad a dvice. There could be internal injuries that over time could become major or even life threatening problems.
A very serious problem that is often overlooked is an internal head injury. Just because a car crash victims head is not bleeding, does not mean that they are okay. Closed head injuries often occur some time after the accident and can go unnoticed and often occur when a car crash victim?s head is sudden thrust into a hard surface (steering wheel, dashboard, back of the front seat) at rapid speeds. These types of injuries often do not penetrate the skull and can be overlooked at first. These types of collisions result in internal injuries within the brain.
Even whiplash can cause a closed head injury. Other types of closed head injuries include bleeding from the head or face, confusion, lethargy, loss of hearing or fluid drainage from the nose or ears.
Another, more traumatic injury caused by car accidents is permanent or temporary paralysis. Paralysis occurs when the vital nerves that control various body parts are damaged or severed. This happens when there is a traumatic impact to the neck or spinal cord resulting in parts of the body not being able to retain the same mobility or sensations that they once had.
When paralysis occurs, it can be an extremely difficult time for the victim and his/her family. They are faced with life long challenges and may need constant round-the-clock care for the rest of their lives. Temporary paralysis occurs when a nerve is pinched or inflamed. In any case, seek help quickly. Don?t hesitate. You may be entitled to seek compensation for your injuries. It is important that you contact a qualified car accident attorney today and get a case review.
About The Author
Ashley Green - Accident Attorney at http://accident-attornies.info
More useful free info....
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Accident Claims Advice
Legal Claim UK is a network of specialist personal injury solicitors operating nationwide throughout the United Kingdom who offer free accident claims advice. Our lawyers are all members the Law Society panel of personal injury experts? and deal with cases using no win no fee. Compensation in full with absolutely no deductions? and win or lose there is no charge. Our no win no fee scheme is completely risk free and you will not be asked to pay anythi ng at all as the case proceeds.
It is estimated that over 11 million accidents causing personal injury occur in Britain every year and over two million of those are caused by the negligence of another person. The law entitles those who have been the victim of an accident caused by someone else's negligence to claim compensation for personal injury and loss. The civil courts are an essential resource for people who have been injured and ensure that they have the power to claim damages for pain and suffering and to cover the costs of me dical treatment, loss of earnings and other expenses incurred.
Our specialist personal injury solicitors begin by carrying out a thorough investigation of the case before agreeing to take it on. They will discuss the matter with you in detail and consider all of the circumstances of the accident . If they believe that the claim has a reasonable chance of success and is likely to succeed they will then outline a winning strategy and begin collecting evidence.
A number of factors affect the likelihood of the claims success:
Timescale: It is unlikely that a solicitor will be willing to deal with the case if the incident occurred more than three years ago. The limitation period for most personal injury claims is three years and if the case is not settled or proceedings have not been issued in a court of law prior to that time then the matter becomes statute barred. There are exceptions to this rule the most important one being that time does not begin to run until a person reaches the age of 18 years. There are other excepti ons and accident claims advice should always be sought in regards to matters relating to limitation.
Injuries: The doctor who originally treated the injury will hold medical details, which are of paramount importance when making a claim. The solicitor will use this record as evidence of the type and cause of the injury and if necessary will obtain other specialist medical opinion as the case proceeds. It is therefore extremely important that medical advice is obtained as soon as possible after any accident either from a General Practitioner or from the local hospital Accident and Emergency department.
The Police: A specialist accident claims advice solicitor will liaise with any police officers who witnessed the accident or the occurrences shortly after the accident and will usually obtain a copy of the police accident report which will be made available as soon as any relevant criminal prosecutions are completed. A policeman may be called to give evidence in any civil court case for damages if necessary.
Witnesses: Sometimes there are witnesses and it helps if their statements are collected immediately. Witness statements greatly support the claimant?s case however these statements should never be obtained personally by the injured person. A solicitor or a private enquiry agent employed on the clients behalf will usually obtain signed statements which will verify the clients version of events.
Evidence: The more evidence and information gathered, the greater the success rate and clients are recommended to take detailed photographs of the location and any injuries. A daily diary charting the recovery from injury is also useful in assessing any compensation payable for pain and suffering. All receipts for expenses incurred should be retained.
If you have been injured in an accident within the last three years that wasn?t your fault you should contact us. You will receive a complete professional service from lawyers who specialise in claiming compensation for personal injury caused as a result of an accident.
About The Author
John Eastwood provides our specialist personal injury solicitors begin by carrying out a thorough investigation of the cse before agreeing to take it on.
claim_legal@yahoo.com
More and useful free info...
It is estimated that over 11 million accidents causing personal injury occur in Britain every year and over two million of those are caused by the negligence of another person. The law entitles those who have been the victim of an accident caused by someone else's negligence to claim compensation for personal injury and loss. The civil courts are an essential resource for people who have been injured and ensure that they have the power to claim damages for pain and suffering and to cover the costs of me dical treatment, loss of earnings and other expenses incurred.
Our specialist personal injury solicitors begin by carrying out a thorough investigation of the case before agreeing to take it on. They will discuss the matter with you in detail and consider all of the circumstances of the accident . If they believe that the claim has a reasonable chance of success and is likely to succeed they will then outline a winning strategy and begin collecting evidence.
A number of factors affect the likelihood of the claims success:
Timescale: It is unlikely that a solicitor will be willing to deal with the case if the incident occurred more than three years ago. The limitation period for most personal injury claims is three years and if the case is not settled or proceedings have not been issued in a court of law prior to that time then the matter becomes statute barred. There are exceptions to this rule the most important one being that time does not begin to run until a person reaches the age of 18 years. There are other excepti ons and accident claims advice should always be sought in regards to matters relating to limitation.
Injuries: The doctor who originally treated the injury will hold medical details, which are of paramount importance when making a claim. The solicitor will use this record as evidence of the type and cause of the injury and if necessary will obtain other specialist medical opinion as the case proceeds. It is therefore extremely important that medical advice is obtained as soon as possible after any accident either from a General Practitioner or from the local hospital Accident and Emergency department.
The Police: A specialist accident claims advice solicitor will liaise with any police officers who witnessed the accident or the occurrences shortly after the accident and will usually obtain a copy of the police accident report which will be made available as soon as any relevant criminal prosecutions are completed. A policeman may be called to give evidence in any civil court case for damages if necessary.
Witnesses: Sometimes there are witnesses and it helps if their statements are collected immediately. Witness statements greatly support the claimant?s case however these statements should never be obtained personally by the injured person. A solicitor or a private enquiry agent employed on the clients behalf will usually obtain signed statements which will verify the clients version of events.
Evidence: The more evidence and information gathered, the greater the success rate and clients are recommended to take detailed photographs of the location and any injuries. A daily diary charting the recovery from injury is also useful in assessing any compensation payable for pain and suffering. All receipts for expenses incurred should be retained.
If you have been injured in an accident within the last three years that wasn?t your fault you should contact us. You will receive a complete professional service from lawyers who specialise in claiming compensation for personal injury caused as a result of an accident.
About The Author
John Eastwood provides our specialist personal injury solicitors begin by carrying out a thorough investigation of the cse before agreeing to take it on.
claim_legal@yahoo.com
More and useful free info...
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
5 Tips on How to Avoid a False DUI Breathalyzer Result
Let's say you had a drink or two but don't feel you are under the influence of alcohol. However, you are arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and offered the choice of taking a breath or blood test (or, in some states, urine). Most DUI suspects choose the breath test -- a choice which could doom your chances to prove your innocence. Consider the following advice when deciding which test to take:
1. If you smoke cigarettes, you may want to pass on that Breathalyzer mouthpiece the officer is handing you. Scientific research has shown that smoking can raise the test result considerably -- enough to get you charged and convicted of drunk driving. This is because most breath analyzing devices will falsely report acetaldehyde as alcohol. Acetaldehyde is a compound produced in the liver in small amounts as a by-product in the metabolism of alcohol. However, scientists have found acetaldehyde concentra tions in the lungs of smokers are far greater than for non-smokers. ("Origin of Breath Acetaldehyde During Ethanol Oxidation: Effect of Long-Term Cigarette Smoking", 100 Journal of Laboratory Clinical Medicine 908). Translated: because breathalyzers can?t tell the difference between alcohol and acetaldehyde, cigarette smokers will have a higher blood-alcohol reading.
2. If you are a diabetic with possible low blood sugar, you should also avoid the breath test. A well-documented by-product of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a state called ketoacidosis, which causes the production of acetone -- and acetone, like acetaldehyde, will be reported by the Brethalyzer as alcohol. In other words, the Breathalyzer will read significant levels of alcohol on a diabetic?s breath where there may be little or none. See "Diabetes, Breath Acetone and Breathalyzer Accuracy: A Case S tudy", 9(1) Alcohol, Drugs and Driving (1993). To make matters worse, the reactions of a person in the early stages of a diabetic attack include dizziness, blurred vision, slurred speech, weakness, loss of coordination and confusion -- the same symptoms which the patrol officer is looking for: the clear signs of a person under the influence of alcohol. And the officer's observations are quickly followed by a failing performance on DUI field sobriety tests.
3. Are you on a low-carb diet? Or had nothing to eat in quite awhile? Avoid the Breathalyzer in a DUI investigation -- for the same reasons stated in number 2. Perfectly normal, healthy individuals can experience temporary conditions of low blood sugar after consuming small amounts of alcohol, resulting in exaggerated but false symptoms of intoxication. Fasting glycemia can exist where a person has not eaten in 24 hours or has been on a low-carbohydrate diet. Production of glucose in the liver is stoppe d while the alcohol is broken down. Result: the blood sugar level will drop, affecting the central nervous system -- and producing symptoms of a person under the influence of alcohol and a higher breath test result.
4. If you have acid reflux or have burped or belched before taking the Breathalyzer, offer to provide a blood sample instead. The reason is that you will be breathing alcohol from your stomach into your throat and oral cavity, where it will stay for 20 minutes or so -- to be breathed directly into the breath machine. This is not a good thing. The machine's computer is multiplying the amount of alcohol in the breath sample by 2100 times to provide a reading of the alcohol in the blood. This is because it assumes the sample came from the lungs, not the stomach, and the average person has 2100 units of alcohol in his blood for every unit of alcohol in his breath (called the partition ratio). The Breathalyzer does not "know" that your breath sample is not from your lungs and that it should not multiply the alcohol level by anything. Result: false high readings -- and a DUI conviction.
5. When you see that officer in the rear-view mirror, don't reach for the mouthwash or breath spray to disguise the drink or two you've had. Most of them contain significant levels of alcohol (Listerine, for example is 27% alcohol) and create a mouth alcohol effect: they remain in the oral cavity for 20 minutes or so -- just long enough to be breathed into the Breathalyzer, with the same results mentioned in number 4. Some breath machines have a mouth alcohol detector, but these are highly unreliable.
About The Author
Lawrence Taylor is the senior member of an AV-rated law firm of Las Vegas DUI lawyers practicing drunk driving defense exclusively. See http://www.duilasvegas.com/ for more information.
More useful and free info..
1. If you smoke cigarettes, you may want to pass on that Breathalyzer mouthpiece the officer is handing you. Scientific research has shown that smoking can raise the test result considerably -- enough to get you charged and convicted of drunk driving. This is because most breath analyzing devices will falsely report acetaldehyde as alcohol. Acetaldehyde is a compound produced in the liver in small amounts as a by-product in the metabolism of alcohol. However, scientists have found acetaldehyde concentra tions in the lungs of smokers are far greater than for non-smokers. ("Origin of Breath Acetaldehyde During Ethanol Oxidation: Effect of Long-Term Cigarette Smoking", 100 Journal of Laboratory Clinical Medicine 908). Translated: because breathalyzers can?t tell the difference between alcohol and acetaldehyde, cigarette smokers will have a higher blood-alcohol reading.
2. If you are a diabetic with possible low blood sugar, you should also avoid the breath test. A well-documented by-product of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a state called ketoacidosis, which causes the production of acetone -- and acetone, like acetaldehyde, will be reported by the Brethalyzer as alcohol. In other words, the Breathalyzer will read significant levels of alcohol on a diabetic?s breath where there may be little or none. See "Diabetes, Breath Acetone and Breathalyzer Accuracy: A Case S tudy", 9(1) Alcohol, Drugs and Driving (1993). To make matters worse, the reactions of a person in the early stages of a diabetic attack include dizziness, blurred vision, slurred speech, weakness, loss of coordination and confusion -- the same symptoms which the patrol officer is looking for: the clear signs of a person under the influence of alcohol. And the officer's observations are quickly followed by a failing performance on DUI field sobriety tests.
3. Are you on a low-carb diet? Or had nothing to eat in quite awhile? Avoid the Breathalyzer in a DUI investigation -- for the same reasons stated in number 2. Perfectly normal, healthy individuals can experience temporary conditions of low blood sugar after consuming small amounts of alcohol, resulting in exaggerated but false symptoms of intoxication. Fasting glycemia can exist where a person has not eaten in 24 hours or has been on a low-carbohydrate diet. Production of glucose in the liver is stoppe d while the alcohol is broken down. Result: the blood sugar level will drop, affecting the central nervous system -- and producing symptoms of a person under the influence of alcohol and a higher breath test result.
4. If you have acid reflux or have burped or belched before taking the Breathalyzer, offer to provide a blood sample instead. The reason is that you will be breathing alcohol from your stomach into your throat and oral cavity, where it will stay for 20 minutes or so -- to be breathed directly into the breath machine. This is not a good thing. The machine's computer is multiplying the amount of alcohol in the breath sample by 2100 times to provide a reading of the alcohol in the blood. This is because it assumes the sample came from the lungs, not the stomach, and the average person has 2100 units of alcohol in his blood for every unit of alcohol in his breath (called the partition ratio). The Breathalyzer does not "know" that your breath sample is not from your lungs and that it should not multiply the alcohol level by anything. Result: false high readings -- and a DUI conviction.
5. When you see that officer in the rear-view mirror, don't reach for the mouthwash or breath spray to disguise the drink or two you've had. Most of them contain significant levels of alcohol (Listerine, for example is 27% alcohol) and create a mouth alcohol effect: they remain in the oral cavity for 20 minutes or so -- just long enough to be breathed into the Breathalyzer, with the same results mentioned in number 4. Some breath machines have a mouth alcohol detector, but these are highly unreliable.
About The Author
Lawrence Taylor is the senior member of an AV-rated law firm of Las Vegas DUI lawyers practicing drunk driving defense exclusively. See http://www.duilasvegas.com/ for more information.
More useful and free info..
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
3 Keys To Keeping Your Company Out Of Court
Recently, there has been a huge upsurge in the number of sexual harassment lawsuits. It started with Anita Hill?s televised testimony at the Clarence Thomas Senate Confirmation hearing to become a Supreme Court Justice in 1991. Then Paula Jones? lawsuit against President Bill Clinton and several multi-million dollar verdicts have caused a wave of litigation. In 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down two important decisions that put the ball in t he employer?s court in sexual harassment lawsuits. Basically, they gave employers what we call an ?affirmative defense,? provided that they have a policy in place that makes it clear the company does not tolerate sexual harassment. This article will briefly summarize 3 keys to keeping your company out of court.
? KEY #1 - Have A Written Sexual Harassment Policy
All employers should have a written sexual harassment policy, which at a minimum provides: What sexual harassment is; sets forth a mechanism for reporting it; states that all complaints will be promptly and thoroughly investigated, and that if a violation is found, that prompt and effective remedial action will be taken.
? KEY #2 - Communicate the Policy
It does no good to merely have a sexual harassment policy that is sitting gathering dust in the Human Resources department or in an employee handbook, the policy must be communicated to all of the employees. It should be distributed to employees at the time of hire, explained to them, and have them sign acknowledging receipt and agreeing to abide by it. It should be posted on the wall and where appropriate, translated into Spanish. It should be discussed at meetings. Most important, it should be enf orced and taken seriously whenever a complaint is made, so that employees will feel comfortable using it.
? KEY #3 ? Provide Training For Your Seminars
Under a new law, AB 1825, California now requires all employees with 50 or more employees to provide a minimum of two (2) hours of sexual harassment prevention training to their supervisors.
While it is not required for employers with less than fifty (50) employees, it still is an excellent idea, since it improves employee morale by preventing problems in the first place; teaches supervisors how to nip the problems in the bud; and if an employer is ever sued, the first question that they will be asked is: ?What have you done to train your supervisors about sexual harassment prevention?? The employer can respond by providing the attendance sign-in sheet from the training seminar.
I provide training to bring employers into compliance with the new law, and to protect them from costly lawsuits. First, I check their existing policy to make sure that it is adequate, or I draft a policy for them if they don?t have one. Then I go out and meet with the managers on site. I define sexual harassment for them, and go through some hypothetical scenarios with them, so they understand what is and is not acceptable behavior in the workplace. Then I go over their policy with them, have them sign off that they have read it, understand it, and will be bound by it. I tell them that if they violate the policy, it may cost them their jobs.
I provide additional tips on preventing sexual harassment at my website: www.sexualharassmentprevention.net/sexual.jsp.
For a free evaluation of your existing sexual harassment policy or for scheduling a training seminar, contact:
ELI M. KANTOR
9595 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 405
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 274-8216
dreli173@aol.com
www.sexualharassmentprevention.net
More Free Legal Resouces....
? KEY #1 - Have A Written Sexual Harassment Policy
All employers should have a written sexual harassment policy, which at a minimum provides: What sexual harassment is; sets forth a mechanism for reporting it; states that all complaints will be promptly and thoroughly investigated, and that if a violation is found, that prompt and effective remedial action will be taken.
? KEY #2 - Communicate the Policy
It does no good to merely have a sexual harassment policy that is sitting gathering dust in the Human Resources department or in an employee handbook, the policy must be communicated to all of the employees. It should be distributed to employees at the time of hire, explained to them, and have them sign acknowledging receipt and agreeing to abide by it. It should be posted on the wall and where appropriate, translated into Spanish. It should be discussed at meetings. Most important, it should be enf orced and taken seriously whenever a complaint is made, so that employees will feel comfortable using it.
? KEY #3 ? Provide Training For Your Seminars
Under a new law, AB 1825, California now requires all employees with 50 or more employees to provide a minimum of two (2) hours of sexual harassment prevention training to their supervisors.
While it is not required for employers with less than fifty (50) employees, it still is an excellent idea, since it improves employee morale by preventing problems in the first place; teaches supervisors how to nip the problems in the bud; and if an employer is ever sued, the first question that they will be asked is: ?What have you done to train your supervisors about sexual harassment prevention?? The employer can respond by providing the attendance sign-in sheet from the training seminar.
I provide training to bring employers into compliance with the new law, and to protect them from costly lawsuits. First, I check their existing policy to make sure that it is adequate, or I draft a policy for them if they don?t have one. Then I go out and meet with the managers on site. I define sexual harassment for them, and go through some hypothetical scenarios with them, so they understand what is and is not acceptable behavior in the workplace. Then I go over their policy with them, have them sign off that they have read it, understand it, and will be bound by it. I tell them that if they violate the policy, it may cost them their jobs.
I provide additional tips on preventing sexual harassment at my website: www.sexualharassmentprevention.net/sexual.jsp.
For a free evaluation of your existing sexual harassment policy or for scheduling a training seminar, contact:
ELI M. KANTOR
9595 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 405
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 274-8216
dreli173@aol.com
www.sexualharassmentprevention.net
More Free Legal Resouces....
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