5 Things You Need to Know About Privacy Law Before Installing Cameras
Keeping your place of business secure is very important. One way that you can make your place of business more security is by installing ADT cameras around the location. While this can help you to monitor activity, and potentially prevent crime or poor behavior, there are situations when it could violate privacy laws. There are several privacy law factors that need to be taken into consideration when you are installing security cameras.
Never Place in a Private Place
The most important tip to follow is to never place cameras in a place where employees have what lawyers call a “reasonable expectation of privacy.” For example, cameras should never be placed in a bathroom or locker room. Doing this could violate privacy laws and a variety of other harassment laws as well.
Make Employees and Visitors Aware
When you have new monitoring devices installed, you should also make all employees and visitors aware of their presence. The devices should be placed strategically around your place of business and should be clearly visible to people when they enter the property. It would also be a good idea to have signs up in monitored room providing further clarification that all people are being monitored.
Have an Open Monitoring Policy
Once you decide to have them installed, you should also make it clear to employees that they are being monitored. Ideally, you should have a reason for having the higher security setting in the place of business. To ensure you are protected, you should have all employees acknowledge on a written form that they are aware of the new policy .
Limit Secret Recordings
In some cases it may make sense for you to secretly record employees. This may occur when you suspect misconduct or illegal activity by an employee. You should always do your best to limit the situations when secret recordings are utilized and be sure that you properly document when and why the recordings took place.
Consult With Legal Counsel
Finally, you should be sure that you are able to consult with your legal counsel before installing any new monitoring system. Your legal counsel will be able to provide you with further insight that could help you to avoid local or state privacy laws. They may also help you to draft paperwork that will better formalize a monitoring policy.
In conclusion, installing security devices can be a great way to protect your business. When you are doing this, there are five tips to follow to ensure that you do not violate privacy laws.
4 Ways Bankruptcy May Affect Your Future
Bankruptcy is a federal court procedure that provides a second chance for individuals or businesses who find themselves unable to pay off their financial debts. Financial assets and liabilities are brought before the court so that a judge can determine whether or not to discharge the debt due to an inability to repay the accounts now or in the near future.
While bankruptcy may offer you a way to clear their debt, is it not without its consequences and should be entered into only after careful consideration. Here are 4 ways bankruptcy may affect your future:
Debt Forgiveness Does Not Apply to All Debt
There are several bankruptcy options, so you will want to learn about each type to determine which one will best suit your needs. Bankruptcy is well-known for eliminating credit card and other unsecured debt as well as putting a stop to collection attempts from creditors. Depending on the type of bankruptcy you file, however, most student loans and tax debt will not be included in the discharge. In most cases, payments such as alimony and child support will not be rescinded.
Bankruptcy Will Harm Your Credit
Depending on the type of bankruptcy you file, it will remain on your credit report for 7 to 10 years. As a result, your credit score may suffer a loss of 200 points or more. This decreased credit score may make securing a loan in the future more challenging and more expensive. A low credit score can also affect your ability to rent an apartment or get a credit card with a good interest rate. That being said, after a bankruptcy, there are steps you can take to ensure that your credit score can recover in as little as 4 to 5 years.
You Could Lose Property
While a Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows debt cancellation without repayment, you may be required to relinquish property that is not deemed exempt according to the laws of your state. The courts may require that some of your property is sold and used toward debt repayment. Retirement accounts, home equity, your vehicle, and some personal property are usually protected. On the other hand, Chapter 13 bankruptcy provides protection for some additional property and assets.
A Lack of Privacy
Filing for bankruptcy means that your name and other personal information is made part of the public record. As a result, banks, businesses, clients, and prospective employers have access to any information you filed with the court. For most, the benefits of a fresh start outweigh the risks, but information security may be an issue for some.
While bankruptcy is an option that provides freedom from past debt, one must carefully consider the ramifications it has with regard to future finances. Considering that each situation is unique, you should consult with a lawyer who has experience with bankruptcy before you make any decisions. They can go over the different kinds of bankruptcy, the specific rules of your state, and help you find the best options for you and your family.
4 Tips for Dealing with Teen Driving Accidents
When you have a teenager who is learning how to drive, it can be a stressful time. Teenagers tend to have more accidents than other drivers, whether it is because of overconfidence, inexperience, or just bad luck. It can be a stressful thing to deal with, but there are a few things you can do to help reduce the stress and help your teenager deal with a car accident.
Educate Your Teen
Your teen should fully understand what steps must be taken following an automotive accident because you’ll deal with the situation easier if the teen can handle the early phases without your help. When you talk with your teenager, go over which items should be provided to the police officer and the other driver shortly after the accident happens. In most cases, an officer will need a statement, which will include driver’s license and insurance information and a description of what happened. They should also exchange insurance information and contact information with the other driver.
Implement Practical Procedures
When you arrive at the scene, you shouldn’t stress out, as any tension will impact how your teenager deals with the stress. Take notes so that you can accurately describe the damages when you work with an insurance adjuster. You should also take photos of the damages if the collision caused any damage. The lighting is very important during this process, so you should align each shot so that the damaged portions of the car can be thoroughly and easily inspected by an insurance adjuster.
Set Terms for Paying for Damages
After you have enough photos and notes, you should set terms for the insurance payment process. If your teen was at fault, consider including them in some of the payments to help them learn their lesson. If the accident was the other driver’s fault, you shouldn’t have to pay anything for insurance, so don’t punish your teen for this. In the case of a hit-and-run accident, you may have to pay for some things because you don’t have the other driver’s insurance to pay for damages. In this situation, consider contacting a car accident lawyer who can assist you in getting compensation for extra expenses.
Strive to Prevent Another Accident
After an automotive accident happens, you may be able to prevent another costly situation by equipping the vehicle with beneficial safety and prevention tools once the automotive is repaired. For example, if the accident was caused by sliding in winter weather, new tires with enhanced treads can possibly prevent a second accident in areas that have harsh road conditions. You can also go over specifically what happened during the accident with your teen and develop a plan to deal with similar situations in the future to avoid another accident.
5 Most Litigated Things in America
In many parts of the world, people have no legal recourse when they have been wronged. In the U.S., Americans value their constitutional rights and believe in receiving fair treatment under the law. The five most common reasons for lawsuits are shown below.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are a leading cause of lawsuits. Many accidents are minor and easily settled, but when someone’s negligence results in injuries to another, a just outcome for the victim may not be possible without a lawsuit. Statistics reveal:
- 6 million traffic accidents annually
- 90 car accident deaths daily
- 10 deaths daily caused by distracted driving – common distractions include using the phone, smoking, eating, drinking and talking to passengers
- 2 million drivers left with permanent injuries after an auto accident
- Alcohol involvement in 40% of car crash fatalities
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ Comp was established so injured workers could obtain medical treatment and other compensation without needing to file a lawsuit against the employer. Most employers buy Workers’ Comp insurance. When a worker is injured, the worker deals with the insurance company and/or the state’s Workers’ Comp authorities. Injured workers can be faced with many problems including:
- Inadequate medical care
- Lack of choice of doctor
- Bills piling up
- Being forced to return to work too soon
- Limits on benefits
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can be deadly, especially to the elderly. They are also the leading reason for Workers’ Comp claims. Common causes include wet or too-slippery floors, torn carpeting, items left in walkways and inadequate lighting.
Product Liability
Americans have the right to file a product liability lawsuit after being injured by a defective product. Class action lawsuits represent many consumers similarly injured. The 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and the many auto recalls represent only a fraction of historic product liability cases that have benefited many people.
Drug Recalls
A prescription drug can be recalled voluntarily by the manufacturer or following an FDA order. Patients injured by the defective or contaminated drug can file a lawsuit individually or as part of a class action. The recall of the pain reliever Vioxx was one of the largest drug recalls.
Filing a lawsuit is not usually someone’s first choice after being injured, but may be the only viable option. The law gives Americans the right to seek fair compensation for their injuries. The person or business responsible for the injury should be held accountable for their actions.