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September 2020

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In Business

Dredge Workers Play an Important Role in the Clearing of Waterways

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Waterways are vital to the the transit of goods into the ports, but they are prone to sediment buildup. Dredge ships keep these waterways open by dredging out the buildup with heavy equipment and removing it to another location. Dredge workers have to handle dangerous equipment and put their bodies at risk in order to get the job done. The work comes with a higher risk of injury and it’s not unusual for dredge workers to suffer an accident while on the job. It’s also not unusual for dredging company operators to try and avoid paying out workers compensation claims for their injured employees. This is where dredge worker injury lawyers come into play.

Maritime Law Covers Dredge Workers and Their Injuries Sustained on the Job

The Jones Act covers dredge workers who are injured or killed on the job. This act provides rights to dredge workers who fall under the employment category of seamen. Dredgers are classified as vessels under the Jones Act which means an injured individual may be able to claim compensation even though they’re not working as a seaman.

A dredge worker who received injuries while on duty can make a negligence claim through the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). The Jones Act provides the legal definition to qualify an individual as a seaman while the LHWCA enables a qualifying individual to claim for wage compensation, medical care and rehabilitation services to recover from injuries received while working on a dredger. Also of benefit to a dredge worker is the fact that the LHWCA has Longshore Act Extensions that cover private individuals working for the U.S. military. If you have suffered an injury while working on a dredger, and you’re not sure if you qualify under either act, you can talk to dredge worker injury lawyers for help with your case.

The Jones Act allows seamen to claim compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost income
  • Food, housing and transportation costs
  • Disability and disfigurement
  • Pain and suffering

Common Injuries Suffered by Dredge Workers

Dredge workers are at risk of specific types of injuries due to the nature of the work. Death is also a risk for dredge workers. Some of the common injuries that come from working on a dredger include:

  • Ankle, leg or knee injuries
  • Hernia
  • Back injury
  • Limb amputation
  • Shoulder injury
  • Head injuries
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Wrist and hand injuries
  • Lung injury
  • Crush injuries

Sustaining any of these injuries while employed as a dredge worker can entitle an individual to make a claim under federal maritime laws. The family of a seaman who was killed while on duty can make a claim on behalf of their lost loved one. Dredge worker injury lawyers can help seamen understand how the laws can work to help them recover from their injuries.

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In Lifestyle

Considering a Live-In Nanny for Your Home

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Hiring a live-in nanny follows a tradition of childcare that dates back centuries. The idea of parents works and needing help to maintain a home life is not a new, modern concept. And some of the most famous people and names in world history were raised by nannies and home support help, including the likes of Alexander the Great and famous singer Enrique Iglesias. Of course, not everyone needs to be an actor, singer, or a world conqueror’s mother of Macedonia to need a nanny, but the help is sure appreciated. The trick, however, is finding the right candidate for the job who is willing to take on that multi-talented role of child-raising, support, and help as well be willing to live with your family.

The resource of a live-in nanny is also an adjustment for everyone involved. The person literally becomes a practical part of the family and an extension of the parents. That means the role could be involved in everything from the kids’ health to eating to education to even their entertainment. At the same time the nanny is still an employee and entitled to employment rights, benefits, a plannable work schedule and safe working conditions. So, there’s a big balancing act involved that everyone involved has to adjust to.

When considering a home-based nanny, it’s a very good idea to map out any special considerations that need to be address, including:

  • How and where will the nanny live in the home? What will be considered the nanny’s personal space versus the home and family. Along the same lines, what kind of work schedule and expectation will be involved? Laying these aspects out ahead of time and clearly goes a long ways in avoiding headaches with a selection process.
  • Do your children have special needs, medical issues or need specialized care? Will the support and involvement be around the clock, sporadic, predictable, or flexible? A basic nanny may not be enough, and a nanny with specific certifications may instead be better suited to the role.
  • How will the nanny be vetted for background, education, skill, recommendations and references? Will there be a probation period to determine proper fit or a contracted period of employment?
  • Live-in nannies are human beings too; will their personality and character fit the flow and lifestyle of your home and life? For example, if you are big travelers and outdoor enthusiasts, can the nanny keep up fitness-wise?
  • Plan for lots of logistics and service issues to be spelled out, including everything from laundry to feeding support to transportation to common use areas as well as social behavior and curfews. And most importantly access to the home and times of traffic in and out. These issues all can be minefields without being spelled out clearly up front.

When considered in totality, hiring a live-in nanny can seem a bit overwhelming at first, which is why it’s so important to work with a professional selection service. Don’t try to wrangle a home nanny selection on your own. Instead, take advantage of a professional service for vetting, background checks, profiling and short-listing. It will save you a lot of energy and time, and you will have a far better choice of qualified nanny candidates overall.

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In Health

Signs You Have Alcohol Addiction

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Alcohol addiction can interfere with your entire life. It may affect your health as well as the relationships you have with those around you. The first step to getting treatment is to recognize the signs, and then you may search for alcohol addiction Delray Beach for a rehabilitation facility near you.

  1. Irritability and Mood Swings

If you suffer from alcohol addiction and need to search for alcohol addiction Delray Beach, you may have frequent mood swings. You might notice you feel more irritable than usual. These are signs of addiction. Additionally, you may feel irritable and depressed when you experience a hangover from a night of drinking.

  1. Choosing Drinking Over Other Responsibilities 

You may suffer from an alcohol addiction if you choose to consume alcohol rather than your other responsibilities. For instance, you might choose to drink rather than show up to pick up a friend who needs a ride. You might choose to drink instead of going to work. You might even choose to drink over attending your child’s school events.

  1. Becoming Distant From Friends 

You might not keep the same friends because you’d rather choose friends who like to drink. On the other hand, you may cancel plans with your friends, so you can drink. You might also avoid friends because when you’re not drinking, you might feel too hungover to participate in activities with your friends. In addition, you may also avoid your family for the same reason.

  1. Lacking Interest in Hobbies

Instead of enjoying hiking, golfing, or whatever it is you enjoy doing, you may choose to drink. When you’re not drinking, you may not feel well enough to partake in the hobbies you once enjoyed.

  1. Drinking in Secret 

You may choose to drink in secret because you’re worried that other people may judge your drinking habits.

  1. Dealing With the Law 

Has your drinking ever gotten you in trouble with the law? Have you received DUI charges or public drunkenness charges? These are indications that you may need to search for alcohol addiction Delray Beach for a rehab clinic.

  1. Making Excuses for Your Drinking 

When people confront you about your drinking, think about how you respond. Do you make excuses for yourself, such as you drink to relax or to relieve stress? Maybe, you don’t just make excuses to others; you might also make these excuses to yourself.

  1. Changing Your Appearance

You might not feel like taking care of yourself as much when you’re drinking frequently. Therefore, you might not shower as much, or you might not put on makeup. You might find yourself wearing comfortable clothes more or not changing your clothes as frequently.

These eight signs are all indications that you need to search alcohol addiction Delray Beach for an addiction treatment clinic to find you a plan that’s tailored to your needs and will promote a healthy recovery.

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In Business

3 Ways to Keep Your Phone in Top Condition

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Smartphones only became popular at the turn of the century, but almost 20 years later, they’ve become an indispensable part of our lives. Whether you have an Android or an iPhone, you use it for all sorts of tasks from contacting loved ones, searching for directions, to making reservations for your favorite restaurant. They’re basically computers that can fit in your pocket, and they connect you to the world wherever you are.

However, just like any machine, smartphones are prone to damage. They’re usually made of glass and metal, and the physical body experiences wear and tear from everyday exposure to the elements. The screen can even shatter if the force is violent enough. Luckily, you can quickly get screen repair, among other tech services.

It’s not an overstatement to say that we can’t function without our smartphone, which is why it’s essential to keep it in top condition. Here are a few tips and tricks to get you started.

  1. Learn how to charge properly

The way you charge your phone has a significant impact on the device’s longevity. Unlike the mobile phones of the late 90s, most smartphone batteries today aren’t user-removable. Disassembling the phone yourself voids the warranty, and you’ll need specialist knowledge anyway if you want to do it correctly.

Since phones today use Li-ion batteries, you no longer need to drain the battery before rechanging it. One of the best ways to prolong the battery’s lifespan is to keep it charged between 40 to 80 percent. Letting the charge level drop too low or reach 80 and beyond can shorten the battery’s lifespan.

Another thing to remember: not all phone chargers are made the same. Make sure you’re using a charger with the correct voltage and output rate for your specific phone model. If in doubt, use the manufacturer-provided cord and power brick.

  1. Update the software

Many people find update notifications annoying, but they’re an essential reminder of a task you need to do often. One of the best ways to keep your smartphone in top condition is to update the software regularly. Developers often push updates for their apps that fix bugs and introduce performance improvements. Your OS provider (Google for Android, Apple for iOS) also releases periodic updates to the operating systems, ensuring that your phones last for a long time.

The first place you should check if you want to update your phone is the settings menu. There you’ll see if your phone has a pending update. Meanwhile, check the Play Store or App Store for app updates.

  1. Clear the cache

Your phone’s storage holds a lot of junk files that accumulate every time you use apps and programs. Eventually, there won’t be enough space left for critical processes and essential files. To keep your phone running fast, you need to clear the cache and delete unnecessary files.

A final word

These are just some of the things you can do to keep your phone running like new. Just like any device, you should take some time to learn the inner workings of your phone and adjust the settings to improve its performance.

 Meta title: Essential Maintenance for Smartphones

Meta description: Smartphones, while powerful, can be quite fragile machines. Here’s how to keep your phone running smoothly.

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In Home Improvement

DIY Roof Replacement Vs. Professional Roof Replacement

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Roof replacement is a massive project and needs careful handling of the material as well as professional training. You need to be sure of you’re getting the best when it comes to replacing your roof. If you are thinking of installing or replacing the roof yourself, then keep in mind that the installation has to be done right, and mistakes can cost you a lot and can result in more expensive repairs down the line.

Whether you need to hire experts for replacing your roof, or should do it yourself is hard to decide. Both of these have pros and cons, so let’s quickly overview them to make the final decision. 

Do It Yourself

Do you enjoy DIY projects? No doubt, there is a certain satisfaction that comes from doing some of the repairs and fixing your home yourself. Apart from this, DIY projects can also be cost-saving. However, you should think twice before taking on a roofing project. 

DIY Roof Replacement Advantages

If the repair is relatively simple like replacing a shingle or two or applying some sealant on the leaking roof, then fixing it yourself might not be too bad. If your home was recently constructed or the roof has been replaced, then you might already have some leftover shingles, and this can save the product cost. 

DIY Roof Replacement Disadvantages

Walking around on the roof isn’t simple and safe, no matter what task you are doing. Roofers spend most of the time of their day on the roof, and thus they know how to navigate the dangers safely. They also have a high level of experience with almost every type of issue. 

In addition to this, if you are not sure exactly what is the issue and what you should do, then you might be risking your life. Also, what might be a repair to a small leak can turn into a structural issue if it is done improperly.  

Hiring a Professional Roofer

Roofing can be a dangerous task, and regardless of the structure of the roof, you can easily slip as most of the roofs don’t have a railing. So, when something goes wrong, it’s hard to know if you should buckle up and do it yourself or hire a professional. Here are some of the pros and cons of hiring a professional roofer:

Professional Roof Replacement Advantages 

You don’t have step onto the roof yourself, and that saves you a lot, starting with peace of mind that your safety isn’t compromised. Also, when a professional roofer is hired, you are pretty sure that the job will be done right by professionals who are highly experienced. An experienced roofer will also be able to tell if there is any other issues with the roof that needs to be fixed or not. You will be told exactly how the roof will be fixed along with an estimate of the cost. You will be sure that the problem is taken care of permanently and properly unless the other issue arises. 

Hiring a professional roofer can also mean that the manufacturers will be giving the warranty of the material if installed by a certified professional. Thus, you will be saved from a lot of headaches in the future. 

Most importantly, if insurance is involved, then chances are your insurance company will require that the job be done by a company that is licensed and experienced in performing the job correctly, and there are warranties in place that will cover any issues with the materials or labor.

Professional Roof Replacement Disadvantages

Aside from the added cost of hiring a professional roofing company, some roofers are booked in advance for weeks and months depending upon the time of the year, and may not be able to replace your roof immediately. There is also the consideration that if they are heavily booked with jobs that are on a larger scale, they might not want to perform a job that is simply a case of replacing a few shingles. 

In a nutshell, whether you should do it yourself or hire a professional roofer depends upon the issue and other relevant factors. Both of these have their pros and cons; still, the majority of the homeowners prefer to hire a professional to make sure the job is done correctly and safely.

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