On December 15, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed long-awaited changes to the New York State Power of Attorney law. The changes are intended to make the power of attorney easier to use, provide a framework for acceptance or rejection of the power of attorney and clarify the power and obligations of an agent.

1. Your

Gregory Miller’s article, “Concise-ly is Not Nice,” was recently published in the Writer’s Corner of the New Jersey Lawyer.

Click here to read the full article.

Spending time with family is always important, especially during the holiday season. The holidays are different this year, due to the pandemic, and spending time with loved ones in skilled nursing facilities requires additional planning.

In response to recent spikes in Covid-19 cases in skilled nursing facilities, the New York Department of Health in November

Here is what we cover in our December Insurance Update.

• In a case of first impression, the Illinois Supreme Court construes a mechanical device exclusion in an auto policy.
• A New Jersey federal judge considers whether an insured is covered under its E&O policy for an email spoofing scheme.
• Federal courts in California and

As we have previously reported, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law a new comprehensive sick-leave program for all New York employees. The sick-leave law became effective September 30, 2020, for the purposes of accruing leave, and employees are eligible to take sick leave under the law as early as January 1,

The rise of social media and online reviews has created a dilemma: How can an attorney respond to a negative review without violating ethical or professional responsibility? Just as many merchants respond to online customer reviews, many attorneys may feel the urge to rebut negative reviews posted about them online, be they from disgruntled clients

On November 3, 2020, California voters approved the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), which amends the previously enacted California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA). As with the CCPA, businesses physically located outside of California may be subject to the CPRA if they do business in California.

The CPRA expands on the already vigorous privacy

A business’ risk of suffering a cyber event is often discussed, but not always easy to quantify. Recently, Allianz Global Corporate & Security analyzed its experience with cyber insurance claims over the past several years as a basis for its report, “Managing The Impact of Increasing Interconnectivity: Trends in Cyber Risk.” Its conclusions may help

Michael Heller’s article, “Banks Have Much at Risk in Battle Over Powers of Attorney in New York” was published in Pratt’s Banking Law Journal.

Click here to read the article.

The Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services (OIG) has finalized new safe harbors and modifications of existing safe harbors under the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) to reflect a policy priority favoring a value-based health care system that “pays for health and outcomes” and that will “remove potential barriers to more effective

New York has recently enacted a new anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) statute, which provides additional remedies for the defense of frivolous lawsuits brought to deter the exercise of free speech and public petition rights. N.Y. Civil Right Law, §76-a(1)(a) now defines an “action involving public petition and participation” (i.e. a SLAPP action) broadly

Federal District Court Finds That Gender Discrimination And Intentional Infliction Of Emotional Distress Claims Were Not Claims For Covered “Occurrences”

Claimants sued Waiting Room Solutions alleging various causes of action arising out of an employee placing a video camera in its women’s restroom and Waiting Room’s handling of the employee’s actions.  Waiting Room’s liability insurer,

Our November Insurance Update touches upon some novel issues.

• Is an appraisal action – a proceeding to determine fair stock value on the date of merger – a Securities Claim for purposes of a D&O policy?
• Must a workers’ compensation carrier pay for medical marijuana costs?
• Does a pollution exclusion bar a landlord’s costs

The COVID-19 pandemic has had another, less-discussed effect on hospitals. Hearings that traditionally take place in hospitals – such as guardianships, retention, medication over objection, or assisted outpatient hearings – have shifted to a virtual platform.

Below are some considerations for hospital personnel participating in virtual hearings.

(1) Familiarize yourself with the technology

Due to

The New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) instituted changes to its annual compliance certification process, effective immediately. These changes apply to those Medicaid, Managed Medicaid, and Service Bureau providers subject to the mandatory compliance program requirements in Section 363-d of the New York State Social Services Law (SSL) and the Deficit