The South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association, Young Lawyers Division, has enjoyed an active and productive Spring and Summer. In May 2016, many SCDTTA Young Lawyers from across the state participated in, and volunteered for, the SCDTAA Trial Academy. Young Lawyers volunteered as witnesses or jurors in the mock trials of the Trial Academy. Those generous volunteers… Continue Reading
Employee Exclusion Applies to Independent Contractor Truck Driver
An auto insurer had no duty to defend a trucking company against an injured driver’s claim because the insurance policy excluded claims by “employees,” notwithstanding that the driver was technically an independent contractor. Progressive Mountain Ins. v. Madd Transp. LLC, No. 15-11668 (11th Cir. Dec. 8, 2015). Madd is an interstate trucking company based in… Continue Reading
Better Safe Than Sorry: Keeping Up With Your Employees
Employee turnover is unavoidable for most businesses. Although almost no industry is immune from losing employees for any number of reasons in a free market economy, turnover is particularly prevalent in the highly seasonal retail and hospitality industries. In addition, cyclical and structural changes to the market are also catalysts for employees changing jobs. From… Continue Reading
Cell Phone Defense
Cell phones are used everywhere. Whether it is an old school flip phone, smartphone or tablet, Americans are devoted to, and engrossed with, their electronic gadgets. A piece of web art I ran across depicts a crowd of people walking in the street all staring down at their smartphones. The caption under the piece reads something… Continue Reading
Your Company Can Have Religious Views and Opt Out of an Affordable Care Act Provision
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly referred to as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Health Care Reform Law, has been and continues to be the target of much debate since the federal statute was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. Most recently, for-profit corporations with religious… Continue Reading
Goodwill: Good for jobs, good for business and good for Joy!
Joy Boitnott Tonight, Collins & Lacy will be a sponsor for the 5th Annual Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina Champions Tribute dinner. This is an organization that I am very passionate about. Goodwill is a company everyone can get behind because it supports employment, businesses and, yes, even fashion (just check out its Facebook… Continue Reading
First Significant Increase in Infrastructure Funding since 1987
Guest blog by South Carolina Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Otis Rawl outlines the efforts to improve Palmetto State roads. Infrastructure funding took a front seat throughout the 2013 legislative session, with a united business community driving the debate. In January, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and 14 allied organizations released the Road Map… Continue Reading
Urban Kayaking in South Carolina: What Tour Operators Need to Know
*Hurricane Isaac underscores the important considerations all businesses must make to protect their customers, especially those in the water sports and entertainment industry.* South Carolina is known for its abundance of natural resources including lakes, rivers and streams that flow from the Upstate to the coastal estuaries of the Lowcountry. South Carolinians and tourists have… Continue Reading