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For more than 100 years, Labor Day has been a federal holiday celebrating the role played by the American worker in shaping our nation’s prosperity. And though Labor Day remains the first Monday of every September, what have certainly changed over the last 100 years are the laws governing labor. From wage and hour rules to workplace safety regulations, employment law is constantly evolving. To mark this year’s Labor Day, here are five noteworthy changes to employment laws so far in 2014:...

Tax season is upon us, which means it’s time to talk charitable donations. This time, we’re going to address the commonly held misconception that all charitable donations are tax deductible. They’re not. Charitable donations must meet specific criteria to be deductible. And even then, there are situations when the entire value may not be subtracted from your returns. General Rules for Charitable Donations We’ll get to those situations in a second....

An Oklahoma woman who claims that nearby fracking operations caused an earthquake in which she was injured has filed a lawsuit against two energy companies. Sandra Ladra was watching a college football game at home in 2011 when a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck, reports Oklahoma City’s KFOR-TV. The earthquake dislodged rocks from Ladra’s chimney which she claims struck her in the legs, causing injuries to both her legs and knees which her lawyer says will require surgery....

A gospel singer is suing McDonald’s, after she allegedly bit into a piece of glass while eating a chicken sandwich served to her at a McDonald’s in New York City. Jacqueline Simpson is now claiming that her voice is ruined. She complains that she can’t sing soprano like she used to, and that her voice has been rendered hoarse and rattly, which it didn’t used to be. “I have to make a lot of calls for work, and I have to tell people that I’m not a man,” Simpson told the New York Post....

Beating the Clock: Senate Passes Extension of Small-Business Innovation Plan Two plans aimed at rewarding and encouraging small business innovation and research have been extended by the U.S.Senate past their 2009 deadlines. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) plan which was scheduled to expire on July 31st 2009 was extended, as was the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, which was scheduled to sunset on September 30, 2009. The programs, created under the umbrella of the Small Business Administration, were unanimously approved by the Senate today for an eight-year extension....

Tax season is upon us, which means it’s time to start pulling out records and paying the government. While no one enjoys this process, it’s possible to make it a little bit friendlier on your pocketbook. With these five tips and a little work, you can master the art of small business tax deductions. Choose Wisely. Often times the law offers two accounting methods for small business tax deductions. For instance, if a business owner has kept impeccable records, it’s possible to deduct the actual costs associated with business-related vehicles....

Texting while driving is a current lightning rod for criticism. Critics call it irresponsible, reckless and dangerous. It should come as no surprise that 26 states have passed laws prohibiting texting while driving. However, a new study by the researchers at the Highway Loss Data Institute found that the level positive impact of the texting bans was…non-existent. In fact, in some states, the number of crashes actually went up after the anti-texting laws were passed....

Coming out of the Summer break and having completed its Long Conference, the Supreme Court is gearing up for a busy Fall. On the oral arguments calendar for the October term are cases covering juries in death penalty trials, energy consumption incentives, and whether a man who’s been in prison over 50 years can be set free. Here’s what you need to know about the biggest cases coming up in the Supreme Court:...

The U.S. Supreme Court passed on hearing appeals in five states’ gay marriage cases on Monday, leaving same-sex marriage legal in about half of U.S. states. Utah, Virginia, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Indiana will now start implementing the effects of their gay marriage appeals being denied, in some cases beginning to marry gay couples within hours of the High Court’s decision. Even if you don’t live in one of these states, here are five things you should know:...

Last week European lawmakers approved the Passenger Name Record (PNR) act, a scheme to keep and share airline passenger information, including credit card data, for five years. The move came after mounting pressure following terrorism in Paris last year and more recently in Brussels. The hope is that nations will track foreign fighters and Europeans who are training or fighting in conflict areas, people who might pose a danger, reports the Associated Press....

Article VI, Section 2, of the United States Constitution reads in pertinent part: “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding....

Getting a divorce is stressful. Regardless of what state you’re in, the process involves a careful analysis of your finances, assets, holdings, debts and other obligations, as well as potentially an analysis of your fitness to be a parent. Frequently, divorce can have a severe financial and/or emotional impact on one or both parties. In the context of this, sometimes getting a second opinion could be the smartest decision you make....

During the chilly holiday season, most Americans with fireplaces and stoves will tend to them with care. After all, starting a blaze wouldn’t be a good way to start off the new year. But, did you know that a Hallmark snow globe can also start a fire? Stephen and Florence Hajek found out about this the hard way. The Hajeks’ Michigan home was destroyed in 2008 after a $100 Hallmark’s Jumbo Snowman Snow Globe started an inferno....

Charges of active negligence, vicarious liability, and failure to train staff have been filed in the wrongful death suit relating to a recent daycare death. Katie’s Kids Learning Center, a West Palm Beach, Florida daycare, has been voluntarily closed since the death. The lawsuit has been filed against the daycare, as well as a staff member believed to be responsible for negligently supervising the toddler. 2 year-old Haile Brockington was found dead in a van outside the daycare last week....

Johnson County, Indianapolis is doing its part to fight the war on drugs, using over 200 officers from over 10 counties to arrest 120 methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin dealers wanted on felony charges. Making good on its promise the last time they reeled in 63 offenders, Prosecutor Bradley Cooper said, “if you are going to deal drugs in Johnson County, law enforcement here is going to go after you, find you and arrest you....

It’s holiday air travel season, which typically means crowded airports, inclement weather, and delayed flights. For some, it’ll also mean lost luggage, TSA pat-downs, and unwelcome requests from crew members. There’s not much you can do to prevent any of these events, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything should they occur. After all, airline passengers have rights. But remember, they also have some responsibilities. Take a look at the list below....

August 1, 2017 is Startup Day Across America, and few things encapsulate the American spirit quite like entrepreneurship. If we don’t think we have the newest idea, we certainly think we know how to improve the old ones. But the small business world is not a kind one, nor is it an unregulated one. So having a successful startup has as much to do with knowing what to do from a legal standpoint as it does with knowing what to do from a business standpoint....

It’s a common complaint amongst the broke – you’re simply too poor to file for bankruptcy. It may be true. New data submitted to the National Bureau of Economic Research suggests that the cost of bankruptcy will prevent between 200,000 and 1 million Americans from filing this year. Another 200,000 are expected to rely on their tax returns to cover the fees. Bankruptcy, on average, costs about $1,500, according to CNNMoney....

Anti-bullying measures meant to protect gay teenagers are “indoctrinating” kids with a pro-gay message, a national Christian group believes. There are new efforts to counter that message, in schools and in state legislatures. Focus on the Family, a Christian nonprofit, is spearheading a national “Day of Dialogue” on April 19 – one day before a national student-led “Day of Silence” is set to raise awareness about anti-gay bullying in schools....

Medications manufacturers may be liable for injuries from dangerous drug side effects. But there are limits on liability and not all manufacturers are made equal – makers of generic drugs approved by the FDA can’t be sued under state laws. Still, if you are injured because a drug company, doctor, or pharmacist breached their duty to warn you about a drug’s side effects, you do have recourse. A lawyer can help you figure out whom to sue....