Virginia Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability: Is the Disability Test the Same?

You are injured at work and you wonder if you qualify for both Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability. You would like to get both benefits but can you get both benefits at the same time and is the disability test the same?

First, Virginia Workers' Compensation is a program to pay the injured worker who suffers an injury on the job. Generally, Workers' Compensation Insurance pays two thirds (2/3) of one's salary. It is non-taxable. It also pays for medical bills caused by the accident. Any employer in Virginia who has two or more employees is required to have workers' compensation insurance. If the worker due to the injury is unable to perform the duties of his occupation, then the insurance company will pay "compensation" to the worker based on two thirds (2/3) of his salary. Generally, the worker does not have to be "totally disabled" rather the worker due to his injury must just be "incapable' of performing the duties of his/her job. Injury compensation in Virginia is governed by the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission. If there is a dispute between the injured worker and the insurance company over his/her disability status that dispute is resolved by a Deputy Commissioner at the Commission in an administrative hearing.

Second, Social Security Disability (SSD) is a federal program and is not run by states such as Virginia. Its benefits are a monthly stipend based on the worker's earnings records and Medicare after receiving the stipend for two years. Generally, unlike a workers' compensation claim, in a SSD claim the worker will have to show he or she is "totally disabled" for work. The definition of disability Social Security uses is a disability that has lasted can be expected to last more than twelve (12) months which prevents you from earning more than $1,000.00 a month. If SSD is initially refused, your case will ultimately be decided by a federal administrative law judge in a hearing.

Third, the contrast is Virginia Workers' Compensation only requires you to show you can no longer do the job you were doing at the time of injury. Generally, SSD requires much more. Especially if you are under age 50, it will require you to rule out and "any" job that exists in the national economy. After age 50, the Social Security test becomes a bit easier. At 55 it becomes depending upon one's education and skills, it can become much easier. At age 60 Social Security Disability has made the disability test very easy. In contrast, Virginia injured worker compensation does "not" consider age at all in determining ability to work.

Fourth, if your injury is severe, you can possibly show not only that you cannot do your old job (qualifying for Virginia Workers' Compensation) but you cannot do any job (qualifying for SSD).

In summary, the disability test for Workers' Compensation in Virginia is very different from the disability test for Social Security Disability. Due to the complexity of this issue, an injured worker would be well-advised to consult an attorney who does both Virginia injured worker compensation and SSD.

What Is a Last Will and Testament?

Last will and testament: what is it?   A legal document that lists decisions regarding how the writer's property will be managed after his or her death is called a last will and testament. A last will and testament makes sure that the writer's assets are handled in the way he or she would want if still alive. Upon death, a last will and testament is used to determine how money or assets are used to care for any minor children left behind. Any investments or savings accounts will be managed by a person appointed as responsible in the last will and testament. This legal document may also list any advance directives or other health care decisions important to the writer.   Last will and testament requirements   The most important requirements for a last will and testament are related to the validity of the document. It must be signed by the writer, also known as the testator, and signed by witnesses who can confirm the will is valid. The testator and witnesses should be able to demonstrate that the last will and testament was written without force or provoking and that the writer was in a proper state of mind. The last will and testament should also name an executor, or someone to carry out the wishes of the last will and testament.   Do I need a last will and testament?   Whether we realize it or not, death could be right around the corner for each of us and a last will and testament can prepare us and our survivors for the end of our lives. There are some basic legal requirements for the testator of a will. In most states the testator must be at least 18. If you have any assets or personal property, that is, if you own anything, you have the right to decide what happens with it when you die. If you have minor children, you can extend this right to decide what should happen to them as well as your property.   When should I create a last will and testament?   Opinions vary on when to create a last will and testament. As soon as children enter the family life, parents should create a last will and testament to plan for the care and provisions for their children. Having one's wishes recorded in a legal document can provide peace of mind when potential changes occur. A last will and testament should be updated with each major family change, such as the birth of a child or the death of a spouse. These changes must be made in the same way that the original legal document was created, and signed by the testator and witnesses. It must be noted that these amendments supersede any previous editions of the last will and testament.   Who is involved in my last will and testament?   The testator and the witnesses are involved with the creation of the last will and testament. Upon the testator's death, the estate attorney determines who gets a copy of the last will and testament. This list of people usually includes the executor, any beneficiaries or guardians, the testator's accountant, governments, and the Department of Public Records. If a last will and testament is filed for probate, it is then available for anyone to read.

25 Factors That Affect Corporate Video Production Costs

Web based corporate videos are an excellent way to increase brand awareness for a variety of companies. The good news is that today corporations of nearly any size and with just about any budget can produce quality corporate videos. In fact, in its most basic form corporate video production can be essentially free. Through the use of the Internet and simple inexpensive camera technology an individual can organize, shoot, edit and upload a corporate video in a matter of minutes. Conversely, the cost of full-blown corporate productions can easily climb into the millions of dollars.

Corporate professionals should be encouraged by the ever-decreasing cost of film production. As technology continues to advance the cost of producing a corporate video will continue to decrease. With this in mind there are indeed at least 25 factors that currently affect the price of corporate style video production. We will consider these factors here and offer an opportunity for corporate professionals to better judge anticipated costs associated with corporate video productions that are intended for web audiences.

1. Cost of Actors

Carefully considering who will represent your corporation in a web video is key to overall cost. To realize substantial savings in video production companies should consider using a real company employee for video production. Professional actors can easily cost well into the thousands of dollars to hire.

2. Script Writing

Having a script for a web video simply means having a good plan. Those within the corporation closest to its products or services will sometimes produce the best script material. One cost-cutting approach to script development is to contract the work out via online crowd sourcing or freelance writers.

3. Cost of Editing

The editing process is where a web video really comes together. Often times the quality of a video can be determined by the quality of editing. With advanced software such as Apple's Final CutPro, individuals within a corporation can easily produce top quality editing. In maintaining an awareness of costs it should be important to note that professional editors can earn upwards of $200 per hour for their services.

4. Professional Production Company

A key factor in determining the overall cost of a web video is deciding whether or not to incorporate the services of a professional production company. The cost of professional production can range anywhere from $50 per hour to well over $300 per hour. Consider keeping production in-house to keep costs at a minimum.

5. Camera Quality

Camera quality plays a large role in the total cost of a web video production. Cameras can range from a few hundred dollars to easily over $50,000. A good digital HD camera will average around $10,000. In this instance quality is often proportional to cost. Striking a happy medium between quality and costs in this case will help to control the cost of production.

6. Support Crew

Depending on the size and scope of a video production there will be a requirement for some type of support crew. Very simple one-man productions will certainly keep costs at a minimum. On the other hand, full-scale professional type productions will require several support crew members.Corporations can expect to pay on average around $50 per hour for each support member.

7. Tools and Equipment

Equipment such as microphones, lens, booms, and various types of lighting equipment all factor into the total cost of a video production. Costs for tools and equipment range from $20 per hour to easily over $100 per hour to lease.

8. Shooting on Location

This is a highly variable factor in the overall cost of a web video production. Certainly shooting on-site at corporate headquarters will keep this cost at virtually zero. On the other hand, shooting at unique outdoor locations or other indoor locations can easily cause the cost of production to quickly escalate.

9. The Cost of Props

When a web video production requires the use of props or unique equipment or vehicles this can certainly have an impact on the overall cost of a corporation's production.

10. Studio Rental

When a corporation's web video production requires a studio or soundstage for certain audio requirements such as musical scores, this will certainly impact production costs. Other considerations include the use of green screen facilities for certain special effects. Studios can range in cost from under $100 per hour to easily around $500 per hour.

11. Additional Footage or B-Roll

B-Roll footage is simply footage that is in addition to the primary actor footage and is often used to enhance the quality of a film. B-Roll costs are variable and can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to well over several thousand dollars.

12. On-location Variances

Where a film is shot can have a large impact on the expense of production. For example, shooting in a small rural area will be far less expensive than shooting in a large metropolitan city. Consider location when calculating the cost of a Corporation's web video production.

13. Stock Footage

Purchasing stock footage and images can enhance the quality of a video and reduce the cost of filming. Search online for a variety of stock footage providers to compare costs.

14. Audio Files

Another consideration when determining costs related to corporate video production is audio. Supplemental audio or sound effects can incur minimal additional costs or can easily reach into the thousands of dollars.

15. Cost of Narration

Narration can add a professional tone to your production, but can also add to the overall cost of the production. Consider the benefits of narration and the cost involved which can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over several thousand dollars.

17. Cost of a Teleprompter

The cost of a teleprompter can easily average around $500 per day. The upside of using a teleprompter is that it can reduce the overall cost of filming by improving on actor efficiency. Less "takes" means more overall savings for the corporation.

18. Video Length

Typically the cost of the video is directly proportional to its length. As would be expected shorter videos will be more cost-effective for corporations. The good news is that the trend is towards shorter to-the-point videos these days.

19. Film Handling

Once a film has been shot it is far from complete. Film production requires digital services, the rendering of film, as well as the uploading of video files. These services can vary in cost and should be considered when looking at the overall cost of a web video production.

20. Royalty Fees and Licensing

Always consider the costs involved with royalty fees and licensing fees such as union related costs when calculating the overall cost of a corporate video production.

21. Agency Cost

The cost of video production can be reduced by working directly with a production company as opposed to an intermediate or third party agency.

22. Video Hosting

An online web video production requires some type of hosting to store the video files. The good news is that when incorporating services such as YouTube into your production the cost is essentially zero. Other hosting services are available and the cost is usually minimal.

23. Variations in Language

Consider the cost of language translation and closed captioning when determining overall costs of a corporate video production. Much of this type work can be done in the editing phase of the production.

24. Technology and Formatting

Consider how your finished product will be formatted. The requirement for international distribution and other factors will determine the types of formatting required. Offering a wide range of formats in the finished product can add to overall cost of production.

25. Petty Cash

All other costs such as permits, food, transportation, and legal fees can be included in the petty cash fund. Depending on the size of production this fund can be a few hundred dollars or easily tens of thousands of dollars.

Conclusion

Consider these 25 key factors when determining what the overall total dollar amount of a web video production for a corporation will ultimately be. As is noted here there are a wide range of variables when determining or estimating the overall cost of a corporate web video production. Technology and the Internet have greatly reduced the cost of nearly all of the factors that have been discussed here. Keeping this in mind it is easy to see how a corporate video could easily be produced for nearly nothing. Conversely, taking all these factors into account it is also easy to see that a full-blown major corporate video production could range into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Cost aside, one thing is certain when it comes to a web video production, and that is that having a web presence for a corporation is critical to success in today's business world. Asking the question what does a corporate web video cost can only be answered by each individual corporation based on their specific needs and desires.

Hotel Remodeling - Renovation And Interior Design Setting New Trend In Hotel Construction Management

The past three years have been the best for the hotel industry in more than two decades and is expected a boom in coming years. Revenue per available room has jumped to 10% approximately as compared to last year, the biggest increase since 1984.

Hotelier who wanted to capture the market share, increase the revenue per available room of their hotel and enhance their guest's experiences it is suggested to get some remodeling, interior design or hotel renovation work done to make their success their priority.

Just keep in mind hotel remodeling also accounts complete hotel renovation services, such as restaurants, spas, golf courses, marinas, casinos etc.

The hospitality industry relies heavily on the ability to achieve superior ratings from guests. Defining the guest experience depends on many subtle factors such as the bed quality, fabrics, linens, mirrors, the completed hotel interior is essential for success. And it is very necessary to tailor and cater carefully as per the tastes and demands of individual guest.

To feed this emerging demand to hotel industry, professional companies are stepping forward to provide complete Hotel Construction Management services inclusive of Hotel Remodeling, Interior design and Renovation services.

These Hotel Construction Management companies do not offer hotel operation services; they are only concern with the hotel operation and work deliberately with the property management team to insure on time completions with little or no guest inconveniences. These companies are having trained staff that manages and accomplished their job smartly and insures hardly or no trouble to hotel customers.

If you are hotelier is interested to reinvent his / her brand start, it is suggested to refer such a Remodeling and Renovation cum Construction Management service provider. As they can provide you a quality work which can definitely prove a cost effective strategy for your hotel brand.

Humulin or Lantus, Which Insulin For Your Child?

Humulin or Lantus? When my daughter, who was 8, was first diagnosed the Children's Hospital that was treating her put her on an insulin program of short acting Humalog NPH and long acting Humalin N. You should have seen me that first day of training after a long night in the emergency room where she was diagnosed. I was a raving lunatic to begin with so my brain was mostly mush at that point. Add to that everything began with "H". Mix this "H" with that "H" but first charge this "H" with air, then draw this "H" first followed by that "H" but make sure you roll this "H" between your palms and for crying-out-loud don't shake that "H". Anyway I guess osmosis worked and all of that information finally seeped in. We were officially diabetic now.

For those of you who may not be familiar with it, Humalog and Humalin (short and long acting insulins) are mixed in the same syringe and injected 3 times a day usually before meals. Your child is allowed a certain amount of carbohydrates for each meal that the doctor figures out based on age, weight, etc., and that's your number. My daughter's was 65 carbs max per meal and 35 max per snack. However your child hits their magic number that's it. Whether it's 65 slices of ham or half a pop-tart. Plus she had to eat 6 times a day at certain times everyday.

Well the time came when she decided she wanted a little more freedom of choice and asked me about trying Lantus. My first thought was if it's not broke don't fix it. But I can have a cupcake whenever I want so I decided my opinion was secondary. So we looked into it. Lantus is a long lasting insulin. One shot at night and she had a 24 hour basal dose of insulin. "One shot" I'm thinking to myself "that's great". But wait, you also have to take a shot of short acting insulin (a bolus) every time you eat. 10 meals 10 shots, 3 meals, 3 shots. Even I could figure that out. You base the amount of short acting insulin on the number of carbs you are about to eat. Talk about freedom! Compared to what she had been doing it was like being re-born. she didn't care that it would mean more shots. All she heard was she could eat what she wanted when she wanted. Birthday cake, pizza parties, popcorn at the movies, boy she was ready to go. The first thing she wanted to have was a Blizzard from Dairy Queen. I looked at the chart on the wall and it read 125 carbohydrates. That was half a days carbs in a paper cup! After a couple of days of gluttony things got back to normal pretty quickly.

Remember that freedom I mentioned, it came at a price. This insulin regime is a lot of shots. Add those to the required blood tests and your talking about a lot of holes per day in a little girl. One more thing, her nighttime Lantus shot was 19 units. that's a lot of insulin all at once. In her case it went in like battery acid. These shots are no fun. However, after several months on the Lantus regime her life and the rest of my family's lives are pretty close to pre-diagnosis normal. All in all it was the right thing to do. If your doctor is suggesting Lantus or your child is asking about it, consider all of the above. We're glad we did it.

Avoid Disasters While Vacationing in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, in Broward County in South Florida, is a fun place to vacation in. Thanks to its proximity to the Atlantic Coast, the pristine beaches, and the boats that horde the harbor of the city, Fort is also called the 'Venice of America'. Though the city is an outstanding holiday retreat, you will need to look into the following tips to stay safe in Fort and avoid disasters that ruin your vacation.

Though Fort Lauderdale is a safe city and the tourist areas including the beaches and the boulevards are particularly crime-free, you must still exercise caution. You are advised to stick to your group and never attempt to walk around on your own, especially at night. While in crowded places, you must see to it that you check your belongings from time to time. Incidents of pick pocketing are rare but they do happen. Hence, you are advised to be vigilant always.

The North East and South East parts of Fort Lauderdale are safe. However, when you visit the North West and South West parts of the city, you must make a note of the crime in the area. You are not advised to venture in the western suburbs at night, either solo or with your group. Areas like the Florida Turnpike, Andrews Avenue and the Broward Central are not good for tourist visits. Do not schedule any sightseeing trips to these places at all. You'd better stick to the beaches, downtown Fort in the East, and Las Olas for shopping.

There is a different kind of threat if you decide to explore Wilton Manors, a gay hangout, in the middle of the city. Straight tourists do not like the obvious passes and seduction that many gays are notorious for, in these parts. Thus, if you are straight and hugely moral, you'd be better away from the Wilton Manor locality in Fort Lauderdale.

Rental cars in Fort are popular places for thieves to loot. Thus, you will need to ensure that your rental cars are locked always, and that you never leave any valuables in the car. You are not to choose a rental without proper insurance papers, as stoppages on the road for paper verifications are common practices.

Other tips to stay safe are exercising caution in the beaches, and avoiding tourist traps in commercial centers of Fort Lauderdale that charge you extra for purchases. Otherwise, Fort is one of the most pleasant places to visit.