St. Louis Legal Issues Blog

How to avoid legal problems with your company's dress code

On behalf of David M. Duree and Associates, P.C. posted in Business and Commercial Litigation on Sunday, July 14, 2019.

Workplaces have become more relaxed in recent decades when it comes to what kind of clothing employees are allowed or required to wear. Gone are the Mad Men days where men wore suits and ties, and women wore dresses and skirts. Casual Fridays have given way to full-time casual dress in many offices where employees aren't regularly dealing with the public or clients.

Employers have a right to implement and enforce a dress code that they believe is appropriate for their workplace. However, they need to be careful that their requirements can't be viewed as discriminatory. In some cases, they might even be illegal.

Why modified stretch limos can be deadly

On behalf of David M. Duree and Associates, P.C. posted in Personal Injury on Thursday, July 11, 2019.

Americans hire limousines for everything from high school dances to weddings to a night on the town. They can make people feel special, and also allow partygoers to indulge in alcohol (often provided in the limo) without risking a DUI.

Modified stretch limousines are particularly popular, and are often used as party buses. These vehicles started out as SUVs or sedans. Then, they are cut in half and custom-built to accommodate additional passengers.

What to do after a breach of contract

On behalf of David M. Duree and Associates, P.C. on Monday, July 8, 2019.

As a business owner, when you enter into a contract, you expect the other party to carry their end of the bargain. However, this is not always the case, and the other party may breach the contract.

It’s not an uncommon situation, but after it happens, you may be unsure of what options exist to remedy the situation. First, it’s important to understand what a breach of contract is, and then ask yourself what you should do next.

When can a business owner sue for defamation?

On behalf of David M. Duree and Associates, P.C. posted in Business and Commercial Litigation on Thursday, July 4, 2019.

If you own a business, your reputation is likely one of your most valued assets. These days, it's all too easy to damage a business's reputation -- often anonymously. Many times, competitors will take to Twitter or other social media sites to make derogatory and possibly false statements about a business.

When are these negative comments considered defamation, and therefore, legally actionable -- for example, through a defamation lawsuit?

St. Louis police officer files federal lawsuit over shooting

On behalf of David M. Duree and Associates, P.C. posted in Personal Injury on Monday, June 24, 2019.

A St. Louis police officer was left permanently disabled and is now "drowning in bills," according to his attorney, after being shot by a fellow officer while off-duty. Officers were trying to apprehend three suspects who had reportedly shot at them while fleeing in a stolen vehicle. The officer has filed a federal lawsuit against the city as well as the officer who shot him.

The incident occurred in front of the officer's home in the North Pointe neighborhood in June 2017. He was working on a neighbor's car when the people driving the stolen vehicle crashed nearby and ran from police. One of them turned his gun on the off-duty officer and his neighbor, who were in their shared driveway.

Why are fatal falls increasing among seniors?

On behalf of David M. Duree and Associates, P.C. posted in Personal Injury on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.

Americans are living longer and remaining active well into their senior years. However, too many suffer serious -- and often fatal -- falls. According to a new study based on data from the National Center for Health Statistics, fatal falls among seniors over 75 have more than doubled between the years 2000 and 2016. The rate rose from 52 per 100,000 to 111 per 100,000 during that period.

A scientist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that "people are living longer with conditions that in the past they might have died from." However, the medications they're taking that have kept them alive or at least provided some relief from conditions that come with aging can also make them more likely to fall.

Three tips for driving in the rain

On behalf of David M. Duree and Associates, P.C. on Thursday, June 13, 2019.

Warm weather means the arrival of the rainy season in Illinois. The span from May through August is when most of the state’s rain will fall. Acts of nature like rain, wind and storms also pose potential hazards for all drivers. Heavy rains can cause your vehicle to hydroplane, which occurs when your vehicle loses traction and loses control on a slick road. If your vehicle loses control like this, stopping before causing damage to your vehicle, property, and other vehicles will be difficult.

Get those windshield wipers going

How can you make the most of an injury settlement?

On behalf of David M. Duree and Associates, P.C. posted in Business and Commercial Litigation on Wednesday, June 12, 2019.

These days, most new dads what to share the responsibilities of caring for their newborn child with the child's mother. Some companies are recognizing the importance of these shared parenting responsibilities and are granting equal amounts of leave to parents of newborn or newly adopted children regardless of the employee's gender.

However, that's not always the case. One man who worked for JPMorgan Chase asked for parental leave when his son was born. He wanted to share the caregiving responsibilities with his wife in the early weeks and bond with his new child.

Songwriters' heirs suing CBS over use of iconic theme song

On behalf of David M. Duree and Associates, P.C. posted in Intellectual Property Litigation on Tuesday, June 4, 2019.

When you think of The Andy Griffith Show, you can't help but hear the iconic whistled theme song in your head. Watching an episode of that series without the theme song just wouldn't feel right.

However, relatives of the song's two writers, Earle Hagen and Herbert Spencer, contend that CBS Television Distribution doesn't have the right to sell DVDs of the show that include the song. They're suing the media group in federal court, claiming that it's violating the song's 1960 copyright.

You can help ensure employees protect your intellectual property

On behalf of David M. Duree and Associates, P.C. posted in Intellectual Property Litigation on Monday, May 27, 2019.

As a business owner, you have to trust your employees with your intellectual property (IP) for them to do their jobs. Nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) can outline what information the people who work for you are required to keep confidential. They can also help you take legal action against anyone who fails to protect your IP.

However, business owners can further discourage employees who might be tempted by money or other incentives to disclose or use their IP. Sometimes, it's as easy as making them feel appreciated and respected.