Being a business without workers’ compensation insurance in California is a serious matter. If an employee is injured during the course of business duties and the business is not insured, it does not mean that the business is absolved of its responsibilities. The Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund was established to ensure that employees are still compensated for their medical expenses even if the business did not comply with the law. Using the power vested in this entity, it can pursue many avenues to ensure that the injured employee is compensated, including placing a lien on the business, imposing a stop order so that the business can no longer legally and delivering fines, penalties and jail time.
If you should decide that you do not want to carry workers’ compensation insurance on your employees and one of them becomes injured or sick while on the job, you will be responsible for paying 100% of the cost of their bills. Without obtaining adequate workers’ compensation insurance, an injured or sickened employee can sue your company to obtain the funds necessary to cover their medical bills. In addition, there is the potential that your business will be fined, penalized and even more for not meeting its obligations to its employees.
The California state labor board, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, is responsible for ensuring that businesses comply with a range of labor standards, including having an adequate amount of workers’ compensation insurance. If the Division determine that the business was lacking in this regard, in addition to fines and penalties, it is possible that you will serve a jail sentence in the county jail. A stop order is also likely to be issued that prohibits the business from using the labor of those employees who are not covered. It is a misdemeanor to not comply with such an order.
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As a homeowner you have a responsibility to those people who visit your home. Not only do you have to ensure that invited guests are safe, but, when Halloween comes around, you need to be aware of the potential dangers to young trick-or-treaters and the hazards outside your home. In addition, you also need to ensure your family stays safe.
Hidden dangers in decorations
We all love to make sure our home puts on a show for are trick-or-treaters. This often means decorations that you probably have not used since last year. Before you start decorating your home keep some things in mind:
- Open flame hazards – it is fun for children to see a jack-o-lantern all lit up on the porch of a home they are visiting. Often, we use candles in these to provide a spooky welcome to children. Instead of using traditional candles, consider the battery-operated type to avoid potential burns to visiting children.
- Electrical hazards – strings of orange lights may look great outside or inside your home but if you have not used these lights since last year you may want to carefully inspect all cords. Worn cords should be thrown away to avoid a fire hazard.
- The little things – you may not think about dog toys, children’s toys or garden tools laying around your yard. However, these all can pose a risk to visitors who are unfamiliar with your home. Keep everyone save by carefully checking all walkways and surrounding areas for items that could cause falls.
Adults and children alike can enjoy the fun and excitement of Halloween if proper safety precautions are taken. Taking the proper precautions such as making sure your home is well lit, making sure your family pets are indoors where they cannot be hurt or frightened by trick-or-treaters and making sure you have prepared for your visitors will help make sure everyone has a safe and happy experience.
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It’s the beginning of fall and apple picking season is in full effect. And the place to be is Clearview Orchards.
Organic Fuji and Gala apples are specialties of Clearview Orchards, although they also offer a number of other apple varieties.
Bring your family and your picnic basket. Once you are done enjoying a picnic on our lawn, feel free to pick your own apples. Other delicious items you can pick up at Clearview:
- Honey.
- Pumpkins (we have red, white, or pink)
- Dried lavender
- Apple cider
- Apple pops
Want a getaway? We can do that too. We offer a luxury yurt that boasts such amenities such as a queen bed, a full kitchen, sofa, and full bath with shower. The yurt is centrally located amongst lavender fields, flower gardens, avocado, and Fuji trees. An array of wildlife including deer, coyotes, raccoons, and hawks can be viewed from the yurt. This would be a perfect getaway for you and your partner looking for a romantic country getaway.
What: Clearview Orchards for picnicking and apple picking
Where: 646 Trabing Road in Watsonville
When: Saturday and Sundays from 10:00 am-5:00 pm through Sunday, October 26th.
Cost: $2 a pound for apples
Who: Everyone!
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
Sources: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3111208?s=QpQT and http://www.clearvieworchards.com/index.html
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Are you looking for something to do and a way to break out of your comfort zone? Look no further than Specialized Aviation.
Specialized Aviation offers a multitude of tours that you can choose from including wine tasting tours, coastal tours, and air charters. Take a look:
Coastal Tours
Leaving from Watsonville Airport this charter offers four tours to choose from. Head up the Santa Cruz coast line. Want to venture further out? You can also choose from the Big Sur Coast, Carmel Coast, or an airplane charter. Pricing ranges from $99/per person to $299/per person and runs from 20-60 minutes. You will enjoy breathtaking views that you normally would not be able to see anywhere else.
Wine Tasting Tours
This tour is like no other. Head up in the helicopter and enjoy. The wineries that we tour include Wrath Winery, Talbott Winery, Heller estate tour, or the Scheid Vineyard. Pricing ranges from $350/per person-$475/per person.
Air charters can range from $700-$995/per hour and can host up to 4 passengers.
The next time you are looking for something fun to do and you are ready to do something unexpected, contact Specialized Aviation.
Specialized Aviation also offers training on helicopters and airplanes. Go on and live life!
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
Source: http://www.specializedheli.com/
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Now that you know what damage not cleaning your gutter can do to your home, we wanted to share some tips with you on cleaning that gutter out.
Keep that ladder out and clean out all the debris that has been left in the gutter. One way to do that is to use a pressure washer. Keep that debris though, it could be used for mulch.- Check all your spikes and make sure that the spikes are properly placed throughout the gutter. You may need to consider getting some new ones, if warranted.
- Use bead silicon sealing to close up any leaks your gutter may have. This sealant will be proven effective against rain, snow, and ice.
- Inspect all the rivets that need to go into your gutter also. It may be time to replace them. Any local hardware store will have the rivets and a rivet gun for you to purchase.
- Before using the pressure washer, make sure your gutter is securely fastened with all the new rivets and spikes.
- If your gutters are rusted out, you may want to consider replacing them with aluminum or vinyl gutters.
Now that your gutters are all taken care of, let’s move onto the next in our home improvement series, chimney repair.
Scurich Insurance Services can help you with all of your homeowners’ insurance needs. Give them a call today.
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
Source: http://www.diynetwork.com/remodeling/tips-for-cleaning-and-repairing-gutters/index.html
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If you believe you don’t need Workers Compensation insurance, here’s a reality check:
Myth. I only have a few employees, or mostly part-time employees.
Reality: Workers Comp makes sense no matter how many employees you have. It helps cover medical expenses and lost wages for employees with job-related injuries and protects against lawsuits from injured workers if you’re found negligent. What’s more, some customers and clients may require you to carry it.
Myth: My employees won’t sue me.
Reality: Never say never. Injured workers might well sue to pay medical bills that could run into millions – not to mention pain and suffering or punitive damages. Workers Comp provides legal defenses that can slash your liability.
Myth: Workers Comp is too expensive. If one of my employees is injured, I’ll just pay out-of-pocket.
Reality: Weigh the cost of coverage against potential losses from an injury, especially if the employee sues. The longer a worker is off the job, the more it costs to cover lost wages and productivity. Severe injuries can take weeks or months to heal– or even lead to permanent impairment.
Myth: I provide a safe workplace. My employees won’t get injured.
Reality: Mistakes happen even in the “safest” workplace. Many companies post signs proclaiming the number of days without an injury on the job, but rarely do they read “365 days” Even the most minor mishaps can cause major damages.
Myth: Medical costs in the Workers Comp system are too high.
According to the National Council of Compensation Insurance, the medical cost inflation rate for Comp has been similar to that for Group Health insurance during the past several years. Legislation and regulations have led to the expansion of cost-containment programs.
To make sure you have this essential protection, at an affordable cost, just give us a call.
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