Thoughts On Michigan's Helmet Laws

There's been a lot of different voices speaking up in the debate over Michigan's repeal of helmet requirements for riders. The potential risk for substantially worse injuries is most certainly there, but what do the numbers look like in terms of costs to taxpayers?

While this article shows that thus far the number of fatalities have dropped 4.5%, while this one rightly points out that we'll likely see 30 more deaths per year and an increase in costs for severe brain trauma injuries. Unfortunately, the cost to the taxpayer hasn't really been hashed out yet. So while there was an decrease in fatalities (especially surprising since there was a surge in motorcycle registrations) the truth is there were 14 percent more incapacitating injuries reported. Where do these costs land? What's your take on this new law?

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• Michigan Helmet Law Statistics Update
• Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Michigan Personal Injury Lawyers To Give Tigers Tickets To Spinal Cord Injury & Brain Injury Victims
• Freedom-loving motorcyclists renew the fight against N.C. helmet law

Pool Lift Law History

Image courtesy of Joe Shlabotnik

For people with disabilities, the ability to enjoy services and activities everyday people use is extremely important. When it comes to pools, the water provides lots of fun or a means of rehabilitation through physical therapy and exercise.

While long ago there were not strict guidelines for pool and spa accessibility, since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law a lot of changes have been made. Pools found at health clubs, hotels, public waterparks, and more will be required to have lifts that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.

Timeline

Below is a timeline of events that relate to such regulations:

• July 26, 1990 – Americans with Disabilities Act is signed into law by George H. W. Bush
• July 23, 2004 – Department of Justice issues guidelines and accessibility standards for pools and spas
• July 23, 2010 – Department of Justice announces revised regulations and final rule making for Title II (public industry) and Title III (private industry) in relation to pool and spa accessibility.
• September 15, 2010 – Pool and spa accessibility guidelines published in Federal Register
• March 15, 2011 – Rules took effect
• March 15, 2012 – Deadline for pool lift compliance, but eventually postponed
• September 17, 2012 – Second deadline for pool lift compliance, also postponed
• January 31, 2013 – Final deadline for pool lift compliance

The Facts

Because of prevalent misunderstandings about the pool and spa lift regulations, this May the Department of Justice extended the compliance deadline to January 31, 2013. Pools with 300 or more linear feet of pool wall must have two accessible means of entry. Pools with less than 300 linear feet of pool wall must have one accessible point of entry. Such entry methods could include ADA compliant pool lifts and ramps. There are other requirements that must be met including those pertaining to the lift location and size of seat.

Although a number of people believed portable lifts were in compliance with the regulations, portable lifts do not comply with the regulations. Lifts must be built in or in a fixed place.

There are ways facilities can be excluded from complying with the pool lift regulations, but it is very difficult given the different pool lift cost options. They do not have to comply if purchasing a pool lift would cause financial hardship or if pool lifts and accommodations were not readily available. If cost is an issue, smaller employers may be eligible for a special tax credit to help offset costs to comply. In addition, a pool lift dealer

is not hard to find.

Overall, the ADA pool lift regulations ensure disabled individuals get the same swimming opportunities able-bodied people do. They should be able to enjoy the water without having to worry about how to get in or out. 

Sub Prime Mortgage Lending

Real Estate (Photo credit: wvhomes)

Rather unfortunately, the real estate market was the market that helped bring down many other markets in the United States and the rest of the world. It resulted in many businesses failing and shutting doors, and it even contributed to bankrupting several countries. The biggest contributing factor to the real estate downfall was subprime mortgage lending, in which large mortgages could be split up into pieces and sold to other investors. It was regarded as a fairly safe way to make a good chunk of cash, and the real estate market was booming at the time, so why not hop into a fairly safe and secure market that pays good dividends.

Home prices peaked in mid 2006, then took a bit of a plunge which led to more expensive monthly interest rates. Home owners had more trouble paying off their debts, investors were not receiving the money they were expecting and the market quickly collapsed in on itself. Now that we're climbing out of the mess, it's time to look back on the whole situation and see who is to blame, if anyone.

The US Government has put quite a few strict regulations on subprime mortgage lending, making the market much less volatile, but also much less profitable. There's no doubt that in a perfect economy, no regulations should be in place to control the huge returns that would be possible, but history tells that we live in no such economy. How many restrictions should be in place? Could too many put a damper on our overall economy? Tough questions to answer and I don't want to pick a side!

A much safer market, and profitable one since the real estate market collapse, is the apartment housing market. Companies like First Troy Corp. Rentals, which offers a variety of apartment housing options including rental townhomes, rental houses, rental ranch style apartments, and rental doubles, have seen great growth in a struggling economy.

hCG Diet. Dangerous or not?

(Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

If you are like a lot of people, you may have a problem with excess fat at one point or another in your own life. Sometimes this may lead to overwhelming feelings along with the openness to use any kind of pill, celebrity diet or remedy that you'll see on TV. Before you choose to utilize something totally new such as the hCG program, as an example, you need to make certain you understand virtually any hCG diet dangers which may be found. There may be dangers with virtually any diet regime that features some sort of supplement, injection or a dramatic decrease in the number of calories which are granted each and every day.

Before you embark on any new eating plan, you must first of all contact your doctor. Let her or him really know what you are considering trying so that all of the possible hazards and uncomfortable side effects can be told to you. You will find out a lot of information on the internet as well, nevertheless often this can grow to be much more complicated as you may read through such mixed assessments associated with a certain product or approach.

The hCG diet pointed out here is becoming very popular and its a good instance of a diet that you should read more about given it will consist of taking a hormone directly into the body in a choice of an injection form or drops below your tongue. If you have any kind of identified health conditions, you’ll surely want to get hold of your physician concerning this given it additionally includes a period involving extreme calorie reduction.

You will find dangers to a lot of things in your life and going on a diet ought not actually be one of these. When you do find yourself concerned with a certain eating plan, possibly the best thing to do to be able to shed weight would be to basically increase your exercising and consume smart food items and goodies. It has worked well for many of us and you can feel comfortable knowing that your are performing nutritious things regarding your system.

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SEC News

No not the South Eastern Conference, the SEC has slammed a few large companies within this past week for violating standards and procedures set by them. Although the SEC can be a bit of a pain to deal with, I'm glad they are there regulating companies before I invest my money in any stocks. How do you feel about the SEC? Good for businesses? Good for everyone overall? Here's a few of the top stories:

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• SEC Charges Barred Broker with Manipulating Biopharm Stocks (lawprofessors.typepad.com)
• SEC Charges Kilpatrick Over Perks (myfoxdetroit.com)
• SEC Charges Deloitte & Touche-Shanghai for Refusal to Turn Over Audit Work Papers (lawprofessors.typepad.com)

Bankruptcy Can be a New Beginning

We are constantly hearing that times are tough, turn on the news at any time of day and it is common for a story to be related to the economy. During this difficult time, companies’ filing for bankruptcy has increased. Not only are companies filing for bankruptcy, but individuals and families are also filing for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy lawyers, Baumstark & Vincent, PLLC can help companies, people and families. Baumstark & Vincent, PLLC specializes in bankruptcy and debt relief. With over 38 years of combined experience, they have completed thousands of cases with positive outcomes. They have prevented clients’ houses from being foreclosed and cars repossessed. Baumstark & Vincent, PLLC helps clients obtain a fresh start! They also provide other legal services. Some legal services include criminal defense and expungement, social security disability and child support issues. Additional practice areas can be viewed on their website. Baumstark & Vincent, PLLC is located in Lansing, Michigan and serves people in the Tri-County area. Contact Baumstark & Vincent, PLLC today for a free initial consultation and be on your way to a fresh start!