Resources

The ADA: 25 Years Later

On July 26, 1990, President George W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. The ADA makes it illegal for an employer…

Common Questions about the GAWDA Health Insurance Program

Can I join the GAWDA program at any time? Yes, with appropriate notice to your current carrier (typically 30 days), you can move into the…

What is Buffer Liability Insurance?

Buffer Liability Insurance is a useful risk transfer tool as the P&C insurance cycle transitions from a soft to hard market. A “soft” market is…

5 Ways to Avoid Contracting the Flu

Although flu season traditionally peaks in winter, it can start as early as October and put employees out of work for an extended period of…

Cleaning Your Gutters + Ladder Safety Tips

Gutters divert rain away from your home and are its first line of defense against water damage. However, as autumn progresses, leaves, twigs and other…

Text Messaging: R U Aware?

Pauline Jakubiec, MS, CPHRM / Risk Management Consultant The intended effect of utilizing hand-held devices and laptop computers is improved communication and streamlined work flow.…

Lawsuits are Just Part of the Risk

Business owners are aware they risk the financial consequences of an accident. These are generally insurable events such as automobile accidents, injuries to customers or…

COBRA Qualifying Events

Key Areas: Overview Important Definitions including plans subject to COBRA, qualified beneficiaries, maximum coverage period and qualifying events Chart of Qualifying Events Overview The…

Driver Qualifications And Driver Shortage

A Moving & Storage Industry Dilemma Have you heard this one recently from your insurance provider, “sorry…….this driver does not meet our qualification standards”. “They…

Higher Education Student Safety and Liability

Since universities could potentially be held liable for harm to students due to negligence, it is crucial to acknowledge risk and take steps to prevent…

The unrecognized danger lurking new hire employment testing

Many employers know that screening employees before they start work is essential for the safety of the company, employee and their co-workers. Unfortunately, many employers…

Are you hiring your next workers comp claim?

Many injuries occur because the employee hired to perform the work is not physically capable of performing the essential functions of the job. The inability…

Protect Against Used Auto Fraud

If you’re looking to buy a used vehicle, you need to make sure that the vehicle is actually in good condition. After extended rainstorms or…

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit

Effective Jan. 1, 2006, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) added a voluntary outpatient prescription drug benefit to the Medicare…

Confined Space Entry in Construction

OSHA has recently instituted a new regulation concerning confined spaces in the construction industry, which will come into effect on August 3, 2015. Understanding the…

Heat-Related Illnesses

Please visit https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html for more information on Heat-Related Illness. Overview Heat and humidity can cause several different types of heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps,…

Health Reform Questions – Applying Employment Breaks for Schools

Question: A local school district hires Mary, a long-time substitute, to be a substitute for Jane during Jane’s six week maternity leave and, during that period,…

OSHA Injury & Illness Recordkeeping Overview

Overview of Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) / OSHA Injury & Illness Recordkeeping The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970…

HPID Requirement Delayed Indefinitely

The Health Plan Identifier (HPID) is a standard, unique health plan identifier required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The…

COBRA Common Questions: Administration

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) requires that covered employers provide former employees and dependents who lose group health benefits with an…

Understanding the Claims-Made Policy

A critical concept any advisor must understand when dealing with medical professional liability is the claims-made policy. Vastly different from a traditional occurrence policy (i.e.…

Client Spotlight: Easter Seals Joliet Region

Every day, here at Easter Seals Joliet Region, a child works to accomplish a new goal. And no matter the size of that achievement, each…

“Pay or Play” Penalty – Coverage for Substantially All Full-time Employees and Dependents

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes a penalty on large employers that do not offer minimum essential coverage to full-time employees and their dependents. Large…

Garage Keepers Liability Coverage

Companies in the business of storing customer vehicles need to be protected. Picture this scenario: you are a tow truck driver who is called to…