Killers and Con Artists Among Your Job Applicants? You Won’t Find Out Until You Decide to Interview Them In Minnesota.
November 6, 2013 | Scott M. LepakLooking for a good bookkeeper? Want to make sure Tom Petters and Bernie Madoff don’t apply? In Minnesota starting next year, the answer may be too bad for the employer. Effective January 1, 2014, employers in Minnesota may not inquire into, consider or require disclosure of the criminal record or criminal history of any applicant for employment until the applicant has been selected for an interview by the employer. In the event that the employer does not interview applicants, the employer may not require disclosure before a conditional offer of employment is made to the applicant. This “ban the box” legislation prohibits the common employment application form from including a question asking an individual to identify if they have ever been convicted of a crime, have a criminal record or history. Given this change to the law in Minnesota, employers should review current job application and remove this question. While this law represents an expansion of an existing state law that applies to public employers into private business, there remain differences between what private and public employers may find out about and consider. Interestingly, there is a section of the law that prohibits the State and political subdivisions from using, distributing or disseminating records of arrests not followed by a valid conviction, annulled…
Read MoreWhat Should I Do If I’m Injured in a Plane Crash?
November 4, 2013 | Adriel B. VillarrealNot all plane crashes involve large commercial airlines, and not all plane crashes end in death. It is possible to sustain significant injuries during a crash. Even if you are killed in a plane crash your loved ones may still be able to pursue a wrongful death suit on your behalf. However, plane crash personal injury suits can get complex fast. Responsibility for a crash can ultimately lie with many different parties. For example, the problem could have been pilot error, failure to maintain the plane, or a defective mechanical component. Each of those situations assigns the responsibility to very different parties. In some cases the responsibility could be spread out between a number of different parties. It’s vital to have an experienced attorney on your side during any plane crash personal injury case. As with car accidents and boating accidents, plane accidents can result in pain, disfigurement, high medical bills, and lost wages. A personal injury case can help you recoup some or all of these losses. Take the following steps immediately after the crash: Seek immediate medical attention. Document anything and everything you can about the crash. Avoid signing anything for any reason. Contact a qualified personal injury attorney as soon as possible. BGS has over 75 years of experience serving…
Read MoreHow Does a Product Recall Impact a Personal Injury Case?
October 30, 2013 | Adriel B. VillarrealIf you’re facing a personal injury case because of a defective product you may be wondering whether a company’s decision to recall that product has any bearing on your case. Don’t worry! A product recall is certainly not going to hurt your case. A product recall cannot, for example, simply make your case go away. The product has already hurt you. The recall simply helps to reduce the number of injuries that the product may cause to other people in the future. If anything, if the recall notice may be treated as an admission of responsibility on the part of the manufacturer, though they aren’t always admissible in court. Your personal injury attorney can advise you on whether or not the recall will have a positive impact on your case. Of course, if you’re injured after a product has already been recalled the situation changes quite a bit. If you keep using a recalled product after the notice has gone out then you are assuming the risks associated with using it. This is a good reason for keeping your eye out for recall notices for any products you use on a regular basis. If you’ve been injured by a defective product you may be entitled to compensation. Don’t face high medical bills, lost…
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