In the event of damage to your property, whether caused by a broken pipe, storm or other calamity, your first priority is to make repairs and get back in business. However, you should also take steps to protect any insurance claim you may have.

Adherence to basic mandates can save legal headaches and even lives.

Contract language can be friend or foe, depending on its precision. This was the lesson from a recent case that benefited a hotel and frustrated a provider of audio-video services.

The Lilly Ledbetter Act declares the statute of limitations begins each time an employee receives a paycheck that is based on a discriminatory pay-setting decision. In short, each paycheck restarts the 180-day clock for filing claims in protected categories including sex, race, religion, age, disability, etc.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act changes COBRA eligibility for laid off employees.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), signed into law on Feb. 17 temporarily imposes additional COBRA requirements in an effort to assist employees in continuing their group health benefits after involuntary termination.

The new I-9 form, developed by the Department of Homeland Security, will need to be used starting this month and involves changes to the I-9 process. BY H&MM COLUMNIST PATRICK SIMPSON

So many cases; so few editions of HOTEL & MOTEL MANAGEMENT. While I usually write about only one lawsuit each month, there are countless others that have lessons to offer. To kick off the new year, I will reference several cases and extract from them helpful hints on sidestepping liability. Consider these as suggestions for New Year's resolutions.

If you are charitably inclined, the charitable remainder trust might be the tool for you. A CRT is an irrevocable trust designed to pay income to its creator, or others named by its creator, for life or for a period of years. At the death of the last surviving income beneficiary, the assets remaining in the trust pass to charities designated by the donor. The trust is exempt from income tax unless it earns unrelated business taxable income. Thus, the trustee can sell appreciated assets and not pay capital...

Q. What are some tips for handling my company's non-compete agreements?