- Under the old NYSDOT test, the research had to have intrinsic merit—-This excluded pure and theoretical sciences. In many cases of pure Math, there are no direct impact. For instance, Einstein’s theory of relativity in itself is just purely a theory, and does not have any immediate consequences. Yet, there are so many uses which is based off of this theory. We could not file NIW under NYSDOT, but can do so under Dhanasar
- Local in scope. The other weird thing about NYSDOT was that the impact had to be national and not local. This presented a huge problem for those of us who worked with oil industry geologists. They did research on say, North Texas oil basin. That would lead to discovery of oil in Texas. But although the research did not have direct national consequences, discovery of significant oil reserves would reduce the US dependency of foreign oil, and lead to national economic benefit
Maybe if Mr. Trump restricts Immigration, the courts will step up and make things easier.
For more information visit Banerjee & Associates
The post New National Interest Waiver Test first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>I was wrong.
For the past twelve days, my family has hosted one of the leaders from Liberia as he is in the US to work on those projects. And never have I been more humbled or even embarrassed than this experience.
How do you comfortably take someone to HEB when they come from a country where food is scarce? How do you comfortably explain to someone about watering the lawn when they come from a country where the lack of clean water kills kids daily? I could go on and on.
Needless to say, it has been an eye-opening experience for my family. While we hope to continue our relationship with our visitor, I also hope to look at things through a new eye so that I remember to be grateful for all that we have.
The post I Am Humbled first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>
Michigan Asset Protection Trust | iPug
Asset protection planning is one of the most important aspects of any estate planning or retirement planning these days, especially for Michigan seniors in this economy. A new tool in the estate planning tool box is the Irrevocable Pure Grantor Trust- otherwise known as the, the iPug
.
The iPug is a self-settled asset protection trust that makes sense for regular folks and offers asset protection against going broke in a nursing home while offering control of the assets and access to lifetime income of the assets in the trust. Think of it like a piggy bank, a piggy bank that you hold on to.
iPug Trusts are not just Michigan based, but work in any state across the US and are based in common law. This means that they are more stable in courts and give you the client, more peace of mind that they will hold up in court, which they have.
The iPug is a great planning tool for main street Michigan retirees and seniors who are not concerned about estate taxes, because they don’t have over $10million in assets, but are concerned about asset protection, avoiding probate, and protecting against long-term care.
The most common version of the iPug in Michigan is the iPug where the grantor (you) retains rights to any income the trust accumulates and has full control how the assets are invested inside of the iPug. Typically the assets are invested with an APA (Asset Preservation Annuity).
The advantage of this form of iPug is that the individual who has set up the iPug has protected it against lawsuits, divorces, bankruptcy, trustee problems, children problems, taxes and stock market losses.
The trade-off for these benefits? The grantor (you) cannot have direct access to the principle. Notice it’s direct access, not all access. Think of this form of iPug like a piggy bank. The piggy bank can be accessed any time through the bottom of the piggy bank. Likewise with the iPug.
Asset protection planning in Michigan can be a complicated area of law, it’s important to work with a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) to help with your asset protection and iPug planning.
The post Michigan Asset Protection Planning with the IPUG Trust appeared first on The Elder Care Firm.
The post Michigan Asset Protection Planning with the IPUG Trust first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>The aim of this program is to put the roughly 50,000 homeless veterans to work. In order to do so, the VA plans to employ Community Employment Coordinators (CECs) at all VA medical centers in the country. With the help of CECs, veterans will be paired with community employers who can find them jobs. Once employed, the CECs will provide resources to the veterans which will help them succeed in their field.
The HVCES program compliments existing efforts to end veteran homelessness which provide vets a place to live. By implementing a Housing First approach, the US has been able to reduce the number of homeless vets by 33%.
After having a place to live, the next step for veterans is to find a job. This is where HVCES comes in. Having cash in your pocket is not the only benefit of having a job for veterans. The VA believes a job can give veterans improved quality of life, self-esteem, independence, and social skills.
If the government remains focused on solving the homeless-veteran problem, 0% Veteran-homelessness is a real possibility. These servicemen and women are strong, hardworking, and skilled. All they need is an employer to give them a chance to prove it and allow them to get back on track.
Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact a veterans attorney, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800
The post Continued Efforts to End Jobless Vets is Paying Off first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>
As time goes on, it seems that change is the only constant, and every aspect of life is undergoing a more modern transformation. The rapid speed at which these changes are happening has rendered several segments of the society unable to cope. Therefore, such segments have become incompatible in many regards to these changes. This is particularly true for some aspects of family law.
The Changes to the Family in Modern Times
The scale of changes has meant that divorce laws have started to be questioned by recent developments. A few of these notable changes can be:
- A generation or so ago, women having full time jobs was not as common as it is today. Now they are working outside of their houses, with many households having not one but two incomes.
- A few years ago, there were only a few states in the US, one of which was California, which had legalized same sex marriages. Yet, now with the recent decision of the Supreme Court making it legal throughout the US, the family laws such as those of divorce seem incompatible.
Incompatibility of the Law
These changes mean that the scope of the modern family has changed drastically. The California divorce and family laws for example are not meant to handle the complex issues that are arising as a result of these changes.
How do you determine the custody of the child between two same sex parents only one of whom is biologically related to the child? While the child may view both of them as parents, legally only one of them is the real parent owing to biological relations.
In addition, in homes where there are two sources of income one from each spouse, property division can be a serious issue, because neither party would want to settle for a smaller share or a share they don’t feel is proportionate to their contributions.
Mediating the Solution
Instead of using the courts to solve disputes, if we turn to Orange County divorce mediation, the needs of the modern family can be catered to, with decisions made based around common sense, mutual wisdom, and the needs of the family.
If both of the spouses can talk it out and make sure they understand each other’s point of views, Orange County divorce mediation gives them the chance to make a legally binding decision as they see fit, irrespective of its compatibility with the law. This, however, will only be applicable as long as both the spouses are mutually agreeing on the provisions of the agreement.
Gerald A. Maggio is a trained divorce mediator who has amicably resolved cases many cases out of court, as well as an experienced divorce and family law attorney. Mr. Maggio founded California Divorce Mediators in 2012 with the belief that although “not every marriage can be saved, every family can” and a mission to save families from the financial and emotional distress associated with traditional divorce litigation. California Divorce Mediators is located in Irvine, California, and serves the Orange County area and other counties in California offering divorce mediation, child custody mediation and mediation of other family law matters.
The bulk of the funding – just under $1 million – will go to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, located in Detroit.
The Ann Arbor Housing Commission, Kent County Housing Commission, and Lansing Housing Commission, along with VA health care facilities in those locations, will each receive $100,000 or more.
The funding is part of the VA’s Supportive Housing program, which combines vouchers for rental housing with clinical services and case management.
Michigan’s US senators, Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, announced the allocation in a statement that stressed the sacrifice U.S. soldiers make and the importance of helping them secure permanent housing and adequate health care.
Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact a veterans lawyer, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800
The post New Federal Funding Allocated to Helping Homeless Michigan Veterans first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Estate Planning for Single Individuals
As a single parent, your estate plan may look different from that of a married parent. In those cases, there are laws in place to ensure that both property and custody have a means of passing to the surviving spouse. In your case, however, the courts would determine your next of kin and disperse your property, as well as appoint a guardian, based on Michigan state laws. While it’s great that there are laws like this to rely on when a single parent dies with no will in place, it’s not necessarily such a wonderful thing if the person/people named are not those you would have chosen yourself.
Grandparent Custody
For example, it’s quite common for grandparents to be given custody of a child upon the parent’s death. In many families, that would be the perfect choice. In others, however, a better choice could be made. Perhaps there has been a falling out between family members, or it’s possible that the grandparents are either too old or just otherwise not in the right place in their lives to be starting over raising children.
Choosing Guardians for Your Children
Clearly, appointing a guardian for your child or children is one of the most pressing issues for which to see an estate planning attorney in Brighton. It’s not the only one, though. This lawyer can also help you to create a financial plan which can help support your child even if you aren’t there. You might be advised to look into a life insurance policy or to participate in a Michigan college savings plan. Likely, an guardianship lawyer in Brighton, MI will also help you to create a trust or trusts which can not only protect some of the money from being heavily taxed, but also give you some say over how the money is to be used and by whom.
An estate planning attorney will also help you to make sure that everything is in order. He or she will ask you about bank accounts, insurance policies, retirement accounts, and even military service, as all of these can possibly be directed to the care of your child or children. Every family, no matter what the marital status is, is unique. With the help of a Brightonestate planning lawyer, you can put together a plan that works for your specific situation.
The post Estate Planning for Single Parents in Brighton first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>
The end of life is a topic people don’t like to think about. Perhaps that’s why many people put off end of life planning until they’re older. But if Alzheimer’s disease or some other cognitive disorder arises, that planning might come too late.
Alzheimer’s Is the Sixth Leading Cause of Death in the US
More than 5 million American are living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. The disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, killing an estimated 500,000 people each year. While the health effects of Alzheimer’s are well documented, the financial impact from the disease might be less apparent. Alzheimer’s disease is a costly disease, taking a financial toll on patients and their families. In 2013, caregivers provided 17.7 billion hours of unpaid care valued at more than $220 billion, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. That financial impact is even more acute without proper planning.
While the progression of Alzheimer’s disease varies from person to person, the disease leads to a steady decline in memory and the ability to think clearly. As that happens, a person becomes less capable of managing his or her own affairs, both the tasks of everyday life and the legal and financial decision making needed for estate planning.
The National Institute on Aging suggests that estate planning take place soon after the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. In these early stages, a patient is still able to take part in the discussion of financial, legal, and even medical affairs. This advanced planning is not only for the benefit of the patient. It also benefits the caregivers, who won’t have to guess about the wishes and desires of their loved one.
No one wants to think about developing Alzheimer’s disease. But the prevalence of the disease means it will touch many people, whether they are patients or caregivers. Early planning can help families enter those circumstances ready and prepared. To learn more, contact us.
The post Alzheimer’s Disease Makes Early Estate Planning A Must appeared first on Estate Planning Lawyers | Elder Law Attorneys | Brighton | Novi | Livonia Elder Law Attorneys.
The post Alzheimer’s Disease Makes Early Estate Planning A Must first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Pop the Champagne for bureaucratic progress!
It should be noted, the Department currently uses at least nine maps of the US, which divides the country into dozens of regional networks and administrative duties for its hundreds of programs.
Later this year, all VA agencies will be on the same page, looking at the same map, coordinating efforts along the newly drawn five regions to allow veterans a single point of entry for a host of office offerings.
However, VA officials skimmed past specific details on what they called “the biggest organizational change in VA history,” but said the work will not immediately mean cuts to the 340,000-plus workforce.
The new VA Secretary, Bob McDonald, has touted the MyVA program as an overall push to improve customer service toward veterans by trimming layers of bureaucratic waste and duplication, which has caused many a veteran headaches.
To its credit, the program has improved signage at hospitals and given more independent authority to call center operators on veterans benefits issues. The map change, officials said, could potentially improve communication and coordination between offices that previously had little interaction, creating more one-stop shops for veterans.
But don’t hold your breath quite yet, as details on exactly how this change will all play out won’t be decided for months. (Agreeing on one map was hard enough.)
The Regional Offices, which oversee benefits processing, home loan awards, and health care services, among other items, will each have to decide how to realign their operations in light of the new map.
On a briefing call earlier this week, VA officials said the map announcement was intended to provide an update on the overall MyVA simplification efforts and to reassure veterans that work is taking place.
Secretary McDonald said in a statement that this is the “first step in empowering veterans to interact with one VA” and a way to “improve the veteran experience by enabling veterans to more easily … access their earned care and benefits.”
VA expects to have plans in place to ensure their structures are aligned within the new map by the end of June.
Read more on this story in the Military Times:
Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800
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Guest Post from a a Michigan Home Care company: BrightStar and Kathy Hannah:
The holidays are a time of year when many families get together, seeing each other face to face for the first time in many months or more. Experts advise families to carefully watch for signs of possible depression, changes in mental status, or medical issues in older adults and be prepared with spirit lifting activities and be able to develop a plan of action before heading back home.
According to BrightStar Care, a full service home care agency that provides both medical and non-medical care to patients from infants to elders, 15 of every 100 adults over the age of 65 are affected by depression. For many families that are geographically far from their aging loved ones, the holidays m provide a rare opportunity to look for potential warning signs of depression, forgetfulness, or other medical issues.
“Although the holiday season is typically a time of celebration and joy, this time of year can create a sense of nostalgia and melancholy amongst the senior population,” says Sharon Roth Maguire, Chief Clinical Officer of BrighStar Care. “Family visits are a prime opportunity to not only observe the warning signs, but also provide much needed companionship, mental stimulation and general uplifting activities. In many cases, these visits can be lifesaving.”
Roth Maguire encourages family members to look for the following signs when visiting their loved ones:
- Physical Signs-Take note of changes in sleeping and eating habits, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. Accidents around the home, including dizziness or falling could also indicate a physical condition or side effects of improperly mixing medications or taking the wrong doses.
- Appearance-Not shaving, not doing hair or makeup and neglected hygiene can signal the inability to physically care for themselves on their own, or a loss of interest in appearance. Either may indicate depression or a wide range of undiagnosed conditions that require professional attention.
- Emotional Signs-Seniors are especially susceptible to feelings of isolation and depression because of health, financial issues or the loss of a spouse or other loved ones, especially during the holiday season. As families gather together, pay close attention to see if your aging loved one seems disinterested in group conversations and appears dazed or lackluster.
- Environmental Signs-Look for an abnormally messy or cluttered home, piles of laundry or unpaid bills or rotting food in the refrigerator. Any of these things are a sign that the older adult may no longer be able to perform these household tasks on their own, requiring an outside caregiver to help.
The Holidays and winter are also an important time for senior flu prevention, as this time marks the start of flu season. When it comes to infection prevention overall, seniors aged 65 and over are an important and often more vulnerable segment of the population. According to the Center for Disease Control, this is because human immune defenses become weaker with age, making influenza and other infections very serious for the elderly population. In fact more than 60 percent of seasonal flu related hospitalizations in the US each year occur in people 65 years and older.
BrightStar Care’s “Healthy for the Holidays” program aims to promote whole person wellness by focusing on physical as well as emotional health and, specifically, flu prevention and providing additional support to seniors who may have the “Holiday Blues.”
The post Physical and Emotional Health for the Holidays | Gues Post: BrightStar Care appeared first on Estate Planning Lawyers | Elder Law Attorneys | Brighton | Novi | Livonia Elder Law Attorneys.
The post Physical and Emotional Health for the Holidays | Gues Post: BrightStar Care first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>When people hear about an accident involving a truck, most automatically think the collision involved two vehicles. That is not always the case.
The Harris County Sheriff’s report indicated that the elderly bicycle rider was hit by a pickup truck and died at the scene. The accident happened in north Harris County between Hardy Toll Road Freeway and US 59 – Interstate 69.
Seventy-nine-year-old Lorenzo Guerra had started to ride a bicycle after he was hit by a car in 2013.
Some cyclists are fortunate enough to survive their accidents, and are therefore able to file a lawsuit asking the courts for damages for their injuries. In this case, the Guerra family might consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit, seeking compensation for the loss of a father and grandfather.
Cases such as this one need to be discussed with a competent injury lawyer. Each case, and its possible resolution, depend solely on the facts presented. In this instance, there are a number of factors involved that an attorney would need to know, including whether or not the truck driver was inebriated, driving while distracted or speeding.
Never attempt to settle cases like this by dealing directly with insurance companies. Their main concern is diminishing or denying claims. An experienced attorney can hold them accountable and obtain fair compensation.
Lee, Gober and Reyna – If you need a personal injury lawyer or help with an auto accident, motorcycle accident, wrongful death, or burn injury case, contact Lee, Gober and Reyna by visiting http://www.lgrlawfirm.com or calling 512.800.8000
The post Any traveler on the road risks an accident involving a truck first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>
The term “aging in place” is being heard more frequently these days. Simply put, “aging in place” means remaining in your own home and maintaining your independence as you grow older. Some Americans hope to accomplish this entirely on their own; others assume they will have the aid of nearby family members. But there is another option. By joining a local aging-in-place organization older adults are now finding they can have the best of both worlds – the privacy and autonomy they value plus peace of mind from belonging to a community of people who are willing to step in to lend a hand when needed.
To date there are 145 such organizations (frequently referred to as “Villages”) already operating around the country. These nonprofit groups have proved so popular that 125 more are in development. There are ten “Village” in New York State, with seven more on the way.
One such group in Westchester County is At Home on the Sound. Serving Larchmont and Mamaroneck, At Home on the Sound is currently comprised of 150 members (ranging in age from 62 to 100), plus approximately 80 community volunteers of all ages. Many of At Home’s members are also volunteers. Besides providing enriching programs and activities, At Home on the Sound matches the volunteers with members who need local transportation or other assistance. In any given week At Home on the Sound provides 25 to 30 rides to doctor appointments, errands – even the nail salon!
At Home on the Sound volunteers are also available to handle simple household maintenance tasks like changing a hard to reach light bulb or fixing a leaky faucet. Several times throughout the year local high school students offer technology workshops providing one-on-one assistance to At Home members with cell phones and iPads. Staying up-to-date with technology not only has wonderful social benefits but can be a matter of safety as well. An occupational therapist offers free home safety assessments, while a volunteer Medicare expert conducts annual seminars to keep members up-to-date on laws and deadlines. Trained volunteer patient advocates are even available to accompany members to medical appointments.
At Home on the Sound schedules at least a dozen social and cultural programs each month for members. A gentle yoga class is offered every week. Lectures are held on a vast array of topics from Acupuncture to the Constitutional Convention. Bus trips are organized for outings to museums, Broadway shows, and concerts. Activities such as Scrabble, Bridge, foreign language conversation, and current events discussions bring together like-minded members for fun and intellectual stimulation. All the programs are designed to ward off the sense of isolation that can sometimes come with age.
Not only do aging-in-place organizations improve the lives of members, these nonprofits can also be a godsend for family members who live far away and may not have regular contact with their older loved ones. With a quick local phone call, the older adult who belongs to an aging-in-place group can easily access a ride or other assistance when needed.
Aging-in-Place organizations around the country offer similar services to enhance and improve the quality of life for older adults – and their families. To see if an aging-in-place organization is currently serving your area visit the Village to Village network for a searchable map of the US.
Learn more about At Home on the Sound by clicking here.
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The post Aging Gracefully in Your Own Home – with a Little Help: Non-Profits Offer New Model for Growing Old on Your Own Terms first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>The two 18-year-old men were traveling with a young woman in a Mercury Sable on southbound US-23 when a Ford F-150, being driven northbound by a 19-year-old man, crossed the center median and struck the sedan, killing two of its occupants.
According to authorities, the 18-year-olds were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck and the 23-year-old female passenger in the sedan were transported to the hospital in critical and serious condition.
The … read more
The post Two Teens Dead After Collision With Alleged Drunk Teen Driver first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Thousands of veterans who served during the Gulf War in the 1990s continue to report mysterious symptoms, especially short-term memory loss and debilitating fatigue, over 20 years later.
The collection of ailments that active duty soldiers and veterans reported after the operation to oust Saddam Hussein from Kuwait ended in 1991 were known as Gulf War syndrome, Gulf War illness and most recently, as chronic multi-symptom illness.
To address the health complaints of veterans, U.S. officials set up the Gulf War Registry, which involved self-reporting the kinds of ailments that the veterans had. As of March 31 of this year, the registry included a total of 145,612 veterans enrolled. That’s nearly one in five of those who were deployed.
Initially, military and Veterans Affairs officials said the ailments stemmed from post-traumatic stress disorder, which irked the veterans and legislators who wanted better explanations.
Over the years, the suspected culprits for gulf war illness have included the experimental anthrax vaccine and an anti-nerve agent pill given to soldiers before the war, exposures to chemical agents from the bombings of Iraqi chemical bunkers, fumes from the oil well fires that Saddam ordered, and other toxins in the environments.
US officials have said none of these factors are responsible for Gulf War syndrome. Coalition forces from Britain complained of similar symptoms as US soldiers, and the British soldiers were also administered a vaccine.
In response to concerns of French soldiers who took part in Desert Storm, the French government commissioned a health study, and the results were published in a 2006 report, which did not find clusters of ailments similar to those of US and British soldiers. The French soldiers were not given the anthrax vaccine in preparation for Desert Storm, and instead were given antibiotics, French officials said.
While progress may be slow, lawmakers in Washington are taking notice. Last month, Congressman Mike Coffman introduced the Gulf War Health Research Reform Act (House Resolution 4261), which gives greater independence to the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Illness from the Veterans Affairs Department.
Paul Sullivan, who helped write and pass the Persian Gulf War Veterans Act, had some scathing remarks for the VA. Sullivan accused the VA of blocking a 1998 law that supported research, treatment, and benefits for Gulf War veterans, and he supports a bill to give the VA Secretary greater authority to “remove the top VA leaders who continue failing the 250,000 ill Gulf War veterans.”
The VA denied the allegations, saying they support the research efforts to improve veterans’ treatment and continue to welcome input and advice from the Research Advisory Committee.
Read more on the Stars & Stripes Report here: http://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/gulf-war-illness-thousands-who-served-still-report-mysterious-symptoms-1.279132?=&utm_source=Stars+and+Stripes+Emails&utm_campaign=Daily+Headlines&utm_medium=email
Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact a veterans attorney, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800
The post Gulf War Syndrome is going to be for us what Agent Orange was for the Vietnam Veterans first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Jim Fausone, Esq.
Veteran Disability Lawyer
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a widely accepted disability today and I have been writing on the topic frequently. It was not always so. Now the condition is at the center of a lawsuit against the US Military. The lawsuit, which seeks class action status, could ultimately affect tens of thousands of veterans.
Five Vietnam War veterans sued the U.S.military on Monday, March 3, saying they were denied some veterans services after receiving other-than-honorable discharges for actions that resulted from PTSD.
The lawsuit called on the military to upgrade the discharges of veterans of the conflict who suffer from PTSD. Veterans need an honorable discharge status to receive benefits and services. However, the military did not recognize PTSD in the 1960s and 70s at the time of Vietnam.
According to the lawsuit, “The military gave these service members other than honorable discharges based on poor conduct such as unauthorized absence without leave, shirking, using drugs, or lashing out at comrades or superior officers. These behaviors, however, are typical of those who have recently experienced trauma and were symptoms of the veterans’ underlying, undiagnosed PTSD.”
The lawsuit further notes that theUSarmed forces now have procedures in place to diagnose PTSD and will offer honorable discharges to soldiers, sailors and airmen who suffer from the condition, but have not retroactively applied those benefits to Vietnam veterans.
The men involved in the lawsuit were 17-20 years old when they enlisted in 1967-70, and all are in their 60s today. One was the victim of a poison gas attack on his first day inVietnam, and another’s duties included sorting through body parts of soldiers killed in combat.
Law students working in Yale’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic prepared the suit on behalf of the five veterans.
After repeatedly running into cases of veterans with PTSD who were effectively being denied benefits because of their condition, the law clinic decided to file suit. We applaud this effort and we recognize the problem is real and the court solution maybe a long shot.
At Legal Help For Veterans, our experienced staff can also help with PTSD claims. You can learn more about our PTSD veterans’ services at our website, http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/practice-areas/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/.
To read more about this lawsuit, see the Reuters report at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/03/us-usa-veterans-ptsd-idUSBREA2225S20140303
Also check out LHFV’s past blog on changing the stigma behind PTSD for veterans:
http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/2014/03/a-new-way-to-erase-the-ptsd-stigma-for-vets/
The post Vietnam Vets file lawsuit against US military for discharge upgrades first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>However before we can file the H-1B visa, we need to file an labor condition application with the Department of Labor. This process usually takes about 1 week at least for a recurrent employer, and may take 2 weeks for an employer new to the H-1B visa system. This time can double during late March when the Department of Labor typically receives an avalanche of new cases.
Also because of the increased demand for H-1B visas and the finding of large scale fraud on the part of employers, the Citizenship and Immigration Service expects a large volume of documents. This is particularly true of computer consulting companies and small businesses. And it is always better to submit all documents in the front end, so that the officer has a favorable opinion.
Thus the time to start preparing for the H-1B visa for the fiscal year 2015, (starting on October 01, 2014) is right now.
A. Banerjee is a Houston immigration lawyer in Texas. Before selecting an attorney, contact the Law Offices of Annie Banerjee by visiting their information filled web site at http://www.visatous.com.
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This morning’s Austin American Statesman ran a great story entitled Kids and Sports: How much is too much?
The premise of the article, which was written by a Dallas doctor, is that kids and parents’ increasing focus on some sports is dangerous for our kids.
There are a number of issues. Kids now are much more likely to play one sport year-round, leading to over-use injuries. Kids now engage in weight-training that is far superior to anything a few years ago, which leads to kids being bigger, stronger and faster, but also over-taxing their bodies, particularly their weaker growth plates. And, the doctor argues, more and more parents and kids are trying to force themselves back into action before the kids are fully healed.
The doctor also focuses on two things that have been an emphasis for us. One is the rise of competitive cheerleading. The United States Sports Academy finds that cheerleading is responsible for the most catastrophic female sports injuries in the US (second only to football overall). The USAA reports that many cheerleading injuries and falls do more damage than being tackled by a professional football player.
The second issue is the rise in head injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control, almost half a million kids visit emergency rooms each year for traumatic brain injuries — many from sports. The doctor said that in the week before writing the article, she had treated a volleyball player with a head injury and two dancers who sustained head injuries as a result of a head-to-head collision.
We are unwittingly hurting our kids, and that shouldn’t be acceptable.
Even worse, we may be destroying their love of the various games. The doctor cites a study that finds that by age 13, 70 percent of kids drop out of youth sports. As the doctor says, “What could have been a lifelong source of exercise or fun competition is discarded due to injuries, stress and burnout.”
The article hits home with me. I have a 13 year old daughter who is passionate about her dance team, and I have a 10 year old son who loves to play baseball. I hope to take the article to heart and make sure that we’re not making the same mistakes as others.
The post Kids Safety: Kids and Sports – How much is too much? first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>
Unfortunately, there’s no way to completely minimize the risk that your mind wanders off, but the risk can be reduced. The report makes the following recommendations to help reduce the risk of daydreaming while driving:
The post Auto Accidents: Another Form Of Distracted Driving — Daydreaming first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>• Keep your eyes moving. Change your gaze every 2 seconds. Any longer and you tend to stare, which induces mind wandering and narrowing of peripheral vision. Tiring? No. The eyes were designed to keep in motion.
• To keep alert, interact with your environs by imagining “what-if” scenarios. What if that oncoming car crosses over? What if that truck ahead suddenly stops? All those what-ifs you’re visualizing feed your subconscious with some valuable data to reprogram your brain for your benefit. They may provide you with a better accident-evasion plan than the one you’ve imagined should a similar event actually happen.
• Chew something. Really. Crunchy foods will keep you alert. Even chewing gum works. One psychology professor advised drivers to chew peanut brittle, calories notwithstanding. Besides the noise made from crunching, he said that searching for the peanuts was oral therapy.
• Try different driving routes when possible. Driving the same long route is boring, and your mind is more prone to wander when it encounters the same repetitive conditions. It’s called habituation. Perry Buffington, a medical columnist, says, “simply put, we get used to things, and when we do, they’re no longer important to us.” Daydreaming results. And you notice fewer things when you’re bored, even if you’re not daydreaming.
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On July 22, 2013, a Virginia woman was critically injured when her car violently collided with a tractor trailer that was attempting a left turn across the travel lanes of a highway. Kristin Rosso, a 28 year old young woman from Annandale, VA, sustained critical injury when her car struck a tractor trailer at the intersection of US 40 and Md 144, near Hagerstown, MD in Washington County. Ms. Rosso had to be airlifted to Shock Trauma in Baltimore for her injuries.
Police determined that the truck was traveling westbound on US 40, and was attempting a left turn onto Md 144, going across the eastbound lanes. Ms. Rosso’s car, headed eastbound, struck the cab of the truck in the eastbound lanes. The force of the crash was so great that the front end of Ms. Rosso’s vehicle was sheared off.
This crash remains under investigation, and fault has not yet been assigned. However, it would appear that the truck had no business initiating its left turn, if the Rosso vehicle was so close that it collided with the cab of the truck. Again, drivers need to be absolutely sure that they will not impede oncoming traffic before blocking a travel lane going the other way.
The Lietz Law Firm has considerable experience with commercial trucking cases where vehicles have obstructed the roadway. We employ trained and skilled experts to help us figure out what exactly happened in such situations, and who is at fault.
The post Another truck blocking the road first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>The CBO stated that while the effects of immigration policies on the federal budget are uncertain and complicated especially when extended well into the future, the estimates make assumptions regarding the legislation’s stated increases in nonimmigrant and immigrant categories, together with projections on the number of persons who may obtain legalized status under the bill’s proposed provisions.
Rabinowitz & Rabinowitz, PC. is an immigration law firm representing businesses and foreign nationals in employment-based visa cases. To learn more or to contact a Dallas immigration lawyer, visit http://www.rabinowitzrabinowitz.com.
The post CBO Estimates $175 Billion Savings if Senate Bill Enacted first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Napolitano testified at a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, where she stated that a comprehensive bill now with Congress earmarks additional funds to better secure the nation’s borders, establishes employer verification for employee identities, and launches newly designed systems which will track residents when they leave the U.S. Napolitano believes the new bill will help streamline the route for the 11 million undocumented immigrants to become legal citizens. While critics argue that the proposal will only reward people who have broken the law, Napolitano countered that in order to better protect the country, it makes sense to have everyone be accounted for – even illegal immigrants. If people know they will be able to interact with law enforcement officers without the automatic assumption that they will be deported, it will increase their ability to report crimes and come forward if and when they witness anything of concern.
The secretary’s support for legislation included testimony that meeting the drafted border security goals would be the first step in the path to citizenship. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., authored the bill, and stated that he was also looking at amending the bill to require more stringent background checks for those immigrants flagged as “higher risk,” including immigrants who come to the U.S. requesting asylum. Napolitano has stated that the current U.S. asylum has a number of stringent safeguards which have been put in place over the past four years, including extensive interviewing and vetting, a comprehensive database system, fingerprinting and an additional vetting system when green card legibility is granted.
Critics of the bill stated that it may not better secure U.S. borders and do much to change the number of undocumented immigrants who come to the U.S. every year. Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley expressed concern that the bill’s border security provisions would not actually do much, as millions of immigrants now in the U.S. illegally would be granted provisional legal status, without further investigation. Critics pointed out that immigration services and the FBI failed to properly check Boston bombings suspects Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, brother who first came to the US a decade ago. It is now suspected that Tamerlan Tsarnaev traveled to and from Russia, but a spelling error on his passport kept him from being flagged for further investigation. Napolitano countered that the new system would include electronic scanning, which would eliminate that sort of error from happening again.
A. Banerjee is a Houston immigration attorney in Texas. Before selecting an lawyer, contact the Law Offices of Annie Banerjee by visiting their website at http://www.visatous.com.
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As a single parent, your estate plan may look different from that of a married parent. In those cases, there are laws in place to ensure that both property and custody have a means of passing to the surviving spouse. In your case, however, the courts would determine your next of kin and disperse your property, as well as appoint a guardian, based on Michigan state laws. While it’s great that there are laws like this to rely on when a single parent dies with no will in place, it’s not necessarily such a wonderful thing if the person/people named are not those you would have chosen yourself.
For example, it’s quite common for grandparents to be given custody of a child upon the parent’s death. In many families, that would be the perfect choice. In others, however, a better choice could be made. Perhaps there has been a falling out between family members, or it’s possible that the grandparents are either too old or just otherwise not in the right place in their lives to be starting over raising children.
Clearly, appointing a guardian for your child or children is one of the most pressing issues for which to see an estate planning attorney in Novi. It’s not the only one, though. This lawyer can also help you to create a financial plan which can help support your child even if you aren’t there. You might be advised to look into a life insurance policy or to participate in a Michigan college savings plan. Likely, an guardianship lawyer in Novi will also help you to create a trust or trusts which can not only protect some of the money from being heavily taxed, but also give you some say over how the money is to be used and by whom.
An estate planning attorney will also help you to make sure that everything is in order. He or she will ask you about bank accounts, insurance policies, retirement accounts, and even military service, as all of these can possibly be directed to the care of your child or children. Every family, no matter what the marital status is, is unique. With the help of a Novi estate planning lawyer, you can put together a plan that works for your specific situation.
Christopher J. Berry is a Michigan estate planning lawyer and Medicaid planning attorney dedicated to helping seniors, veterans and their families navigate the long-term care maze. To learn more visit http://www.michiganelderlawattorney.com/ or call 248.481.4000
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by Steve Moran, Senior Housing ForumSkilled NursingIf you operate a skilled nursing facility and already successfully engaged in short-term rehab, youprobably have all, or almost all of what you need to make this happen. Here are two things thatwill complete your package:
1. Create a system that will help you to identify residents who are at risk of being readmitted andtake steps to mitigate that risk. INTERACT (Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers) iswithout a doubt, the best set of tools available. The best part is that the tools and systems areFREE. (I will be doing an article on Interact in a few weeks.)
2. Keep great statistics. In order to become your hospitals best friend and trusted partner, youneed to be able to tell a compelling story and that story needs to be backed-up with solid data. You need to be able to demonstrate that when residents are transferred from the hospital to yourfacility/community they are substantially less likely to be readmitted than if they go to yourcompetitors. Please continue reading at: http://seniorhousingforum.net/2012/09/you-can-become-your-hospitals-best-friend-pt-2/?goback=%2Egde_82106_member_160637629
Get Rid of That Bathroom Key… or Lose Leads!
By Patty Cisco, Creative Catalyst for CISCO & CO. For effective marketing, sales and customer strategies thatconnect you with your customers visit www.ciscoco.comWhen was the last time you visited a nursing home and had to use the rest room? Interestingtopic, right? Well, when you have to go, the last thing you want to do is have to hunt thebathroom down and then have to find the key to unlock it! How visitor friendly is that?
I could probably have a contest to see how many interesting key chains are used by nursinghomes. Wooden dowels, heavy ceramic rectangles, large metal rings; the list goes on. Not tomention where the keys are stored! I’m sure there is some regulation that exists that created theneed to keep the public restroom locked. I mean, let’s face it, we can lose residents, right? In theage of person-centered care, is the visitor becoming a focus? When do we evaluate ways to makeour services ‘user’ friendly? Why have we made basic human needs – like using a restroom – socomplicated? Recently, I was delighted to have a positive experience in a nursing home where Icould easily find the restroom, AND to my surprise it wasn’t locked. There was no key!Remember, it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to create and deliver positive customerexperiences. Sometimes it’s the little things that can make or break that word-of-mouth referral.Is it time to throw your keys away? What changes can you make in 2013 to help deliver apositive customer experience?
Clostridium difficile transmission and mortality rates are far higher in nursing homes andother healthcare settings than the most recent government statistics suggest, aninvestigation has found.
From Pedagogy.comThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated in March that c. diff kills 14,000people a year, based on death certificate records. However, a USA Today analysis of recordsfrom the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found over 30,000 c. diff fatalitiesper year. The newspaper’s analysis looked at hospital billing rates rather than death certificates,which do not always list the cause of death as complications from c. diff. The report suggestsaround 500,000 people contract the disease each year. Experts say that U.S. officials could get abetter handle on c. diff by requiring nursing home and hospitals to report c. diff infections andantibiotic usage rates to federal regulators, a tactic that has helped healthcare facilities in Europereduce c. diff rates. One focus will likely be on environmental services for healthcare facilities, asthe newspaper reported that many hospitals have cut housekeeping budgets up to 25% in recentyears. U.S. hospitals will be required to report their rates of c. diff in 2013, but there are no suchregulations — yet — for nursing homes.
To view the original article:http://www.pedagogy-inc.com/Home/Classes/Infection-Control/Clostridium-Difficile.aspx
Pedagogy Inc. has an online continuing education course for nurses, medical health careprofessionals, and other interested individuals ”Clostridium Difficile Colitis Prevention AndManagement” Clostridium difficile is an inimitable organism that normally lives in the gut.When an antibiotic is taken to treat an infection, helpful or normal bacteria are destroyed, causingan overgrowth of the C. difficile bacteria. Clostridium difficile localizes to the large bowel,where it manifests as diarrhea and colitis. The symptoms of CDI can be mild or life-threatening. Clostridium difficile is the leading cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitals and has become,along with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, one of the most common causes of healthcare–associated infections.¹ The incidence and severity of C. difficile infection (CDI) haveincreased dramatically since 2000, and CDI is estimated to cause as many as 20,000 deaths andto cost as much as $3.2 billion per year in US acute care facilities alone.² CDI outbreaks havebecome more common, and infection control–based CDI prevention efforts appear to be lesseffective than in the past. How does your facility prevent patients from getting a CDI during theirstay? In this course you will learn the characteristics and transmission of CDI, best practices formonitoring these infections, and the recommended practices for prevention and control.
To learn more about the course curriculum, price and to purchase go tohttp://www.pedagogy-inc.com/Home/Classes/Infection-Control/Clostridium-Difficile.aspx