Yearly Archives: 2006
Latin Lovers VI
De Minimis non curat lex – literally, the law does not care for or take notice of very small or trifling matters. This is one of the oldest concepts in the law – that immaterial discrepancies or disputes will not be allowed to interfere with… Continue reading
What is Strict Liability?
Our legal system typically imposes liability for money damages only upon a showing that a person was negligent (i.e., failed to use due care) or somehow intended to bring about an injury or damage to another. There are cases, however, where an actor can be… Continue reading
Watch Out For Limited Tort Option
Several years ago the Pennsylvania Legislature amended the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law to provide drivers with the choice of full or limited tort options in their automobile insurance coverage. Things haven’t been quite the same since.Full tort coverage is pretty much what we… Continue reading
The Queen’s English – Should There Be A Their There?
We hear it all the time (a teacher to his class): “Everyone should take their gloves with them because it is cold.” The rule is simple and easy to understand; application, however is another kettle of fish! Every pronoun makes reference to an express or… Continue reading
Corporate Signatures
The primary reason most people elect to do business in the corporate form is to obtain limited liability for the activities of the business. Generally speaking, liability for contractual obligations and damage claims is limited to the net asset value of the corporation, thus shielding… Continue reading
Negligent Hiring and Supervision: Do You Know Who Your Employees Are and What They Are Doing?
Pennsylvania courts have in recent cases recognized causes of action against employers for negligent hiring and supervision of employees. These cases emphasize the importance of conducting background checks before hiring — especially for employees having unsupervised one-on-one interaction with the public, patients, and customers and… Continue reading
Negotiating Commercial Leases
One of the more common tasks we perform for clients involves the negotiation and preparation of commercial leases, including leases for office space, retail stores, warehouse space, manufacturing locations, and similar properties. The process involves communication with real estate brokers and direct contact with property… Continue reading
The Queen’s English – Would We Lie to You? (Part II)
It may be the most abused verb of them all: to lie (recline). We hear people order their dogs to “lay down”; or “I am laying on the couch”; or “yesterday, I laid down for a ten minute nap”. All wrong!The dog should lie down,… Continue reading
Year End Tax Planning Tips
As we approach the end of 1998, a few days still remain for taxpayers to make adjustments in their tax picture to reduce the pain experienced on April 15, 1999. For many taxpayers as much as one-third of every dollar goes to pay income taxes.… Continue reading
Steak Wit, por favor?
Steak Wit, por favor? Something is cooking down at 9th and Passyunk in South Philadelphia, and it is not just the cheese steaks. At Geno’s “world famous“ cheese steaks the demand for “Wiz wit” (i.e., cheese wiz and onions) remains high… Continue reading