How much control should a condo association have?
Be careful what you wish for. That?s the hard lesson learned by one Pittsburgh-area condo association board. The board fought for, and won, independence from the local township when it came to roadwork and maintenance. The condo association won its private-road status from the township.
However, privacy can be pricey. The condo association board now faces a costly final project phase ? a storm water system ? and they?ve gone back to the township, hats in hand, looking for some help. Help, it appears, isn?t forthcoming. Moreover, the project plans were expected to follow township regulations involving setbacks and structure placement. On closer look, the township and the condo association members realized compliance was rather spotty.
While this township?s commissioners ended with sincere offers of help if help was even possible, most condo associations facing such a predicament would come up just as empty, but a bit more battered in the ego department. It begs the question ? how much control does your condo association need over the elements in your condo property? As this case illustrates, insisting on control without first understanding the impact of future costs associated with said control is short sighted at best.
Most condo association insurance policies do cover errors and omissions. Does this type of oversight qualify? Unlikely. The board in this case made a conscious decision ? a group decision ? to declare the roads in their complex private. The insurer in this case would look to the decision-making process. Did the board members consider the risks of such a declaration? In this case, it could be argued that the condo association board took on the full responsibility of its roads (and its drainage issues) with full knowledge of the risks.
This illustrates how all decisions regarding the condo association?s control can have adverse financial effects on the condo association. If you?re not sure, call your condo insurance broker / specialist. Get a risk assessment on any decision that gives control to your board that would otherwise be shared with local authorities.
What a Pittsburgh Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Should Do for You
If you were injured during the course and scope of your employment, you are entitled to wage loss benefits. In addition, your employer or your employer?s insurance company is responsible for paying the medical bills related to your work injury. Workers? compensation insurance companies will at times settle workers? claims with a single lump sum payment. Furthermore, you may be entitled to specific loss benefits for the loss of hearing, sight, limb or other permanent injury. It is important to contact an experienced workers? compensation attorney to protect your legal rights.An experienced workers? compensation lawyer should offer the following:1. A free consultation.There is no reason you need to suffer financially because of a work related injury. There is also no reason for you to go into debt to pay for experienced legal advice. Find an attorney who offers a free consultation so you can explain your work related injury and decide if he or she is the workers? compensation attorney you choose to represent you.2. Immediate attention to your case.It would be nice if you could take the time after an accident for you or your loved one to simply focus on healing from the physical and emotional trauma. Unfortunately, you cannot. You need to address legal issues in a timely fashion. Your workers? compensation attorney should communicate directly with the workers? compensation insurance company assigned to your case. This communication should be accomplished in a timely fashion.3. Protection of your legal rights.Your employer has certain legal obligations to provide you with a work environment that is structured to keep you safe. A Pittsburgh workers? compensation lawyer will have experience helping clients win their battles due to work-related injuries in Allegheny County and surrounding areas. He will know the specific details of workers? compensation law and can assist you through the process.4. No legal fees unless your case is a success.Find a workers? compensation attorney who works on a contingency fee basis while representing clients in workers? compensation claims. This means the law firm is only paid if you are successful and receive compensation for your injuries by way of a settlement or award. This fee structure ensures all people have equal access to experienced legal counsel.
