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On Feb. 12, 2024, the IRS released updated penalty amounts for 2025 related to the employer shared responsibility (pay-or-play) rules under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For calendar year 2025, the adjusted $2,000 penalty amount is $2,900, and the adjusted $3,000 penalty amount is $4,350. This is a decrease from the penalty amounts for the 2024 calendar year, which are $2,970 and $4,460, respectively.

Personal injury protection (PIP) is a type of auto coverage that can help pay for your medical bills and passengers’ medical bills if you’re in a vehicular accident, regardless of fault. In some states, PIP can even offer coverage if you’re injured by a vehicle as a pedestrian, cyclist, or passenger involved in an accident. Also known as no-fault insurance, this coverage is required in certain states and optional or not offered in others. Learn more about PIP coverage below.

Most people understand that insurance companies have a duty to reimburse insureds for commercial property damage not excluded by their policies. What’s lesser known is that if a loss does occur, insureds also have duties they owe to their insurance company. Many commercial property insurance policies include language detailing steps that must be taken following a loss. Failure to fulfill these responsibilities can potentially lead to a claim being denied, a delay in claim payments, nonrenewal or even cancellation of the policy.

When an employee experiences an occupational illness or injury, their eventual return to the workplace can create considerable challenges, putting significant stress on both the individual and their employer. Nevertheless, return-to-work (RTW) programs can help alleviate these concerns by supporting staff as they reintegrate into the workforce. These programs may entail having an injured employee return to work with shortened hours, lighter workloads or different tasks (also known as transitional duties) as they continue to recover from their occupational ailment.

You operate heavy machinery on a regular basis, so you know many of the hazards you face. But you may not realize that letting an extra person ride on equipment intended to transport only one person is asking for an accident.
It is important that everyone on the job site is familiar with the dangers of extra riders on equipment, so that we can ensure everyone’s safety and protection.

According to the National Safety Council, a worker gets hurt on the job every seven seconds. And when an employee experiences an occupational illness or injury, their eventual return to the workplace can create numerous challenges, putting significant stress on both the individual and their employer.

Failing to update employment policies and handbooks regularly can make employers vulnerable to legal risks and liabilities, resulting in costly fines, penalties and attorneys’ fees. See the top 5 concerns for 2024.

On Jan. 29, 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) launched the REACH initiative, enhancing the agency’s outreach to vulnerable workers and underserved communities. This multiyear initiative builds on the EEOC’s existing actions to ensure outreach and education efforts reach workers who are least likely to seek the agency’s assistance. EEOC Commissioner Kalpana Kotagal is leading the REACH initiative.

Winter months present additional hazards that are typically not factors for employees during warmer weather – specifically, slip and fall concerns. With snow and ice-covered conditions, you run the risk of taking major falls, which can lead to serious injuries.

Toyota recently issued a “Do Not Drive” advisory for certain 2003-2005 car models. The recall concerns approximately 50,000 vehicles.