Category: Spring 2014 Pennsylvania Legal Update

Single Member Limited Liability Companies Individual small-business owners often choose not to use a sole proprietorship entity structure to operate their businesses, because a sole proprietor is personally liable to the business’s creditors. Doing business as a limited liability company (“LLC”), which generally offers the same protection against creditors as a corporation, allows sole proprietors […]

Employers are entitled to establish a zero tolerance drug policy for their workforce. An enforceable zero tolerance drug policy is established by a clear employee handbook that each employee is required to sign at the outset of employment. Another common component of a zero tolerance policy is regular Workplace drug testing and immediate discharge for […]

Informed consent is a process where a physician advises a patient of the risks of surgery or certain other medical procedures and the patient has the opportunity to choose to proceed while aware of the risks. A physician engaged in the process of securing a patient’s informed consent discloses material risks, potential complications, and alternatives […]

After a transport van for disabled children and their aides crashed, killing one of the aides, the mechanic who had just completed a brake inspection was held criminally responsible for the aide’s death. The van driver survived the crash and told a disturbing account of the events of the day. After picking up the children […]

The Pennsylvania Superior Court recently clarified the role of Pennsylvania’s elected constables, and the legality of driving a car with tinted windows, in a single case that came before the court. A constable en route to a regional antiterrorist task force meeting was stopped and cited on the Pennsylvania Turnpike by a Pennsylvania state trooper. […]