Blog

Insight & advice from the experts at Marshall & Sterling

 
Filter
Are You Prepared for Flooding?
What would you do if your property were flooded? Are you prepared?
Read more
Is Captive Insurance Right for You?
As insurance rates rise and options shrink, many businesses are considering captive insurance to meet their unique needs. Is this approach right for your business?
Read more
Commercial Property Insights: The Importance of Adequate Roof Drainage
Effective roof drainage is vital for maintaining the structural integrity of a commercial building. Drainage systems play a pivotal role in efficiently eliminating water and debris from a roof, as well as directing the water away from the building. Despite their importance, proper upkeep of these systems is often ignored.
Read more
Health Plan Eligibility: Do's & Don'ts to Avoiding Penalties
Employers sponsoring group health plans have some flexibility when deciding which groups of employees and dependents will be eligible for coverage. However, there are several crucial eligibility requirements employers should adhere to for health coverage. These rules can be categorized into important eligibility “do’s” and “don’ts” for employers to follow.
Read more
U.S. Supreme Court Cases for Employers to Watch in 2024
In 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide several cases—it has already decided one case—that may have a significant impact on employers. It is important that employers are aware of the issues presented in these cases and the potential implications the Supreme Court’s decisions could have on the workplace.
Read more
Legal Update: NYC Requires Employers to Provide Notice of Workers’ Rights
New York City (NYC) has enacted a new law, Local Law 161, that requires every employer in the city to post and provide each of their employees with a “Workers’ Bill of Rights” by July 1, 2024.
Read more
Compliance Overview: Independent Contractor Rule
Worker classification directly impacts employee eligibility for benefits, legal protections (such as minimum wage and overtime rights) and taxation. Employee misclassification is a growing concern for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). While several tests exist to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor, the DOL uses the economic reality test (ERT), which examines whether a worker is economically dependent on the employer or engaged in business for themselves. Under this test, if a worker is economically dependent on the employer, they are an employee and should be protected by employment laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The DOL released a final rule, effective March 11, 2024, revising the agency’s guidance on how to analyze who is an employee or independent contractor under the FLSA. This final rule rescinds the 2021 Independent Contractor Rule.
Read more
Risk Management: Quarterly Compliance Updates
Keeping up with compliance developments can be difficult and time-consuming. This quarterly update highlights recent legal developments to help your organization stay on top of new requirements and minimize its compliance risks.

For more information on these topics, please contact Marshall & Sterling
Read more
How New Drivers Can Lower Car Insurance Premiums
Car insurance rates typically decrease as drivers get older, with the most significant decrease occurring between 18 and 19. This decline in premiums is due to insurance companies’ perceived risk reduction between these ages.
Read more
The Most Common Hazard in the U.S.: Is Your Business Protected from Flood Risks?
A study published in the Nature Climate Change journal predicts that the annual cost of flood damage in the United States will increase by more than 25% by 2050—from $32 billion to $40.6 billion.

The impact of floods on businesses can be devasting, resulting in lost production, sales, income and labor time; transportation costs; decreased tourist activity; and utility disruptions. In fact, 40% of small businesses never reopen following a natural disaster, according to FEMA and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Read more