At Helsell Fetterman, we are committed to your cause.
On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adopted a new rule that would significantly limit the enforceability and validity of non-compete agreements on workers. This new rule will become effective 120 days after the publication of the final rule by the FTC. Although of interest to any business owner, healthcare providers and individuals […]
On April 17, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an important ruling for employers. The bar for civil rights claims is now lower. After two lower courts ruled against an employee’s sex discrimination claim, the US Supreme Court unanimously disagreed. The plaintiff will have her claims heard by a jury of her peers.
Washington hospitals facing the ongoing issue of dealing with “complex discharge” patients may have an even more fraught pathway forward following the 2024 Washington State Legislative Session. The passage of one bill (2SSB 5825[1]) and the failure to pass another (SB 5665[2]) may complicate the options hospitals have in meeting the needs of complex discharge patients who need a court-appointed guardian to help them transition out of the hospital.
The Washington Supreme Court’s unanimous decision on April 11, 2024, in Estate of Essex v. Grant County Pub. Hosp. Dist. No. 1, No. 101745-6 significantly expands the scope of hospital liability and raises questions about the corporate practice of medicine doctrine. This opinion is bound to alter hospital claims for years to come.
We are pleased to announce that Hannah Driscoll and Kristy Ball have earned the distinction of Association of Workplace Investigators Certificate Holder (AWI-CH) from the Association of Workplace Investigations (AWI). Accordingly, Hannah and Kristy have “demonstrated success at achieving the core knowledge and skills necessary to successfully perform impartial workplace investigations.” In order to obtain […]
In the dynamic world of aviation, businesses often seek flexible and cost-effective solutions to meet their aircraft needs. One such arrangement that has gained prominence is the dry lease agreement. This contractual arrangement offers a unique set of benefits and challenges for both lessors and lessees, shaping the way companies approach fleet management. In this […]
Using funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the IRS has announced its intent to target the use of business aircraft by companies and high-income individuals. This initiative will specifically focus on the personal use of business aircraft, which can impact the qualified business use of aircraft for depreciation purposes, the deductibility of employer-provided flights, and […]
In a 5-4 decision on January 18, 2024, the Washington Supreme Court reversed both the Court of Appeals and the Pierce County Superior Court in M.N. & G.T. v MultiCare Health System, Inc., No. 101537-2 with holdings bound to make waves in the medical malpractice field related to class action lawsuits for personal injury cases. […]
On January 17, 2024, the Senate Law and Justice Committee took testimony on SB 5796, a massive 193-page bill which proposes major changes to the law of condominiums, cooperatives and homes governed by a HOA. In a nutshell, this legislation repeals existing condominium and HOA law in favor of the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership […]
When issues arise with employees in any workplace, increasingly workplace investigations are used as both a risk management tool for employers as well as to develop and understand the “facts” of what transpired that caused the issue. When conducted properly, workplace investigations resolve disputes, uncover misconduct, protect employees, and protect employers from liability exposure. When […]