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How do you handle litigation risks as a construction company?
Litigation is a risk in any industry, and construction is no different. While you can never guarantee it will not happen to you, there are things you can do to reduce that probability.
The first thing is to understand where it might come from. The short answer is almost anywhere. Clients, suppliers, sub-contractors, employees, the general public or governmental agencies could all find a reason to sue.
Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself:
Maintain high safety standards
You are less likely to face an injury lawsuit when you prioritize safety. Remember, your duty is not just to those working on your site. You must also consider those who pass by, have reason to visit, or even in some cases, trespass. Your liability does not stop once your work is finished either. If something you build later injures someone, that too could land you in court.
3 times drivers are likely to get arrested for drunk driving
There are multiple situations that could result in someone's arrest for impaired driving. If you get behind the wheel after having too much to drink, police officers might stop you, arrest you and then charge you with a crime.
Police officers identify drunk drivers through several different approaches. Drivers in Virginia and Maryland can find themselves caught up in the criminal justice system after they experience one of the three police encounters below.
Getting into a car crash
Everyone involved in a car crash will be at risk of arrest afterward if there is evidence that they broke the law. You don't have to cause the accident to be subject to a police officer's scrutiny after a collision.
Many police officers will automatically require testing of those involved in a crash to determine if impairment played a role. Even if you are not at fault, if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is over the legal limit, then a police officer can arrest you at the same time that they issue a ticket to the driver who caused the accident.
How do theft laws differ between Maryland and Virginia?
If you live close to state lines, you probably cross them frequently. Hence, if accused of stealing something, it is crucial to understand the rules applicable to where the alleged event took place.
States generally determine the crime based on the value of the property taken, although the use of weapons or violence could make your situation much worse.
Maryland has five categories of theft
The least serious is petty theft, where the value does not exceed $100. The punishment will not exceed a $500 fine and 90 days in prison. The most serious category is felony theft, where the value exceeds $100,000. It could lead to 25 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. In addition, you may have to compensate any merchant you are judged to have stolen from – up to twice the property value in some cases.
Virginia calls theft larceny
The least serious crime is petit larceny which is a misdemeanor. This applies when less than $5 was stolen directly from a person or less than $200 was stolen indirectly. It can lead to up to 12 months in jail and up to $2,500 of fines.