HELLO FRIENDS AND VALUED CLIENTS OF JGS INSURANCE , A BALDWIN RISK PARTNER
It ’ s my pleasure to welcome you to this summer 2024 edition of JGS Insurance Risk & Business Magazine , our complimentary resource filled with business insights and advice you can apply to growing and strengthening your business . All of the JGS authored articles published in this and every issue are by experts on our JGS team exclusively for our magazine , so you can read assured that you won ' t find this unique content anywhere else .
We ’ ve got a mixed bag for you this issue , filled with salient topics like the revised standard for whether workers are employees or independent contractors , what to expect from workers ’ compensation in the event of an active shooter injury in your workplace , and OSHA ’ s requirements for providing employees with personal protective equipment . We also talk rising insurance costs for community associations and pet liability .
Due to backlash from employers and workers alike , the future of the US Department of Labor ’ s final rule revising the standard for determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act , which took effect on March 11 , 2024 , is uncertain . Trey Bradley details the legal challenges and congressional efforts and provides advice for employers navigating the changes on page 14 .
On page 15 , Gwenyth P . Luu explains how workers ’ compensation coverage works for active shooter injuries that occur in the workplace — from physical injuries to psychological trauma to loss of life — including a breakdown of the no-fault system principle , which protects employers against lawsuits from injured employees .
Although OSHA ’ s personal protective equipment ( PPE ) standard mandates that general industry , construction , and maritime employers must provide all required PPE at no cost to employees , there are several exceptions that you may not be aware of . Eric P . Wokas explores this and more on page 5 .
If you are a community association , you know that managing your finances in this economy is a balancing act . Rising insurance costs have played into this heavily . On page 4 , David Velasco talks about insurance factors your community can and can ’ t control , some changes on the horizon , and how we can navigate these challenges together .
Lastly , in recognition of the 66 % of American households that own at least one pet , we ’ ve included a piece on pet insurance where Robin Manougian looks at some pet liability protections offered by insurance providers , breed exclusion and state law considerations , and how to prevent incidences of pet-related harm . If you have or are considering getting a pet , check out this great article on page 12 .
As you can see , we ’ ve got a little something for everyone in this issue . Whether you are an employer , an employee , a community association , or a pet owner , it is my hope that you will find value in the content we ’ ve curated this quarter , and I would love to hear what you think . If you have a moment , please take the time to send your thoughts and feedback to Vinnie . Hager @ BaldwinRiskPartners . com . I love to hear from you .
Until then , enjoy the magazine . +
VINNIE HAGER , MANAGING PARTNER JGS INSURANCE , A BALDWIN RISK PARTNER JGSINSURANCE . COM
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