Data leakage! It's a problem that everyone will have to face at some point. New HIPAA rules and regulations are doing what they can to address potential shortfalls, because data leakage of patient information is a serious violation. Thankfully, the government intends to continue to increase penalties and prosecution for patient data leaks. We Comply’s annual Read more…
The following article will be appearing in the California Physical Therapy Association’s August 2014 Newsletter, Physical Therapy Interventions. It was drafted by Simas & Associates, Ltd.’s own, Steven L. Simas. Terminating the physical therapist-patient relationship is a necessary aspect of nearly all physical therapy practices. But there are pitfalls –some Read more…
A question that the attorneys at Simas & Associates, Ltd. often get is whether it is legal for a physical therapist to be employed by a layperson-owned and fully legal general corporation. It is what many clients find surpising with the law, but attorneys know all to well – legal "gray areas." Read more…
Terminating or firing employees is a part of owning or operating a business. It is unavoidable and inevitable. Yet, it is still probably the single-most unpleasant aspect of being a business owner, supervisor, or manager. Of course, there are a number of approaches an owner, manager, or supervisor should take PRIOR to Read more…
The days of posting an ad in the local paper’s classified section to find potential employees are quickly becoming ancient history. As the landscape in HR and recruitment shudders and shifts, even sites like Craigslist, Monster and CareerBuilder are starting to lose potency. Many employers already use social media in Read more…
In a formal Administrative Procedure Act (“APA“) proceeding before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) of the Office of Administrative Hearings (“OAH”), the ALJ is authorized on his or her own motion – or on a motion of either party – to conduct a Prehearing Conference. The Prehearing Conference, not to be Read more…
Before reviewing the steps one should take to evaluate an appeal of a lower adjudicator’s decision, it is important to note that an appeal is almost never a re-trial. Meaning, rarely does an appeal provide you with an opportunity to retry the facts of the case. In actual, judicial branch, Read more…
The California Bureau of Automotive Repair‘s “STAR” certification program began on January 1, 2013, replacing what was previously called the “Gold Shield” Program. STAR certification is the Bureau’s voluntary certification program that applies to a registered Automotive Repair Dealer that is also a licensed smog check test-and-repair station or a Read more…
All veterinary technician applicants are required to take the new California veterinary technician examination and the Veterinary Technician National Examination (“VTNE”). As an applicant, if you have taken the California veterinary technician examination and failed prior to March 1, 2014, you are required to take both the California and National examination and pass Read more…
Everyday, it appears that local, state, or even federal authorities are engaging in raids and shutting down Internet cafés. Why? Well, there is nothing inherently illegal about a normal Internet café. They are just locations that provide access to the Internet for a fee. They oftentimes sell coffee, soft drinks, and Read more…