The Soto Law Group, P.A.

  What is Next If your Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19? OSHA ( Occupational Safety and Health Administration ) and the CDC ( Center for Diseases Control ) have published and revised guidelines on how to proceed if an employee shows symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19. I.                    Immediate Response   If an employee shows symptoms or has tested positive with COVID-19, employer should require employee to self-isolate and monitor symptoms as well as consult with his/her doctor immediately. In most situations you do not need to shut down the workplace. However, do close off any areas that could be contaminated or were used for an extended period of time by infected persons. The CDC recommends waiting 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting to minimize others from being exposed to respiratory droplets. Any member or staff who has a COVID-19 patient in his home ...

  As States start reopening sectors of the economy, it is important to have a plan in action to facilitate this transition. Below you will find a list of recommendations for the construction industries and other businesses.    Check Best Health Practices and Guidelines   The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) website should be checked for updates. Moreover, recommendations and executive orders of the concerned State and the local health agency should be closely monitored.    For the construction industry, it is wise to communicate the status of construction and what contractors are doing to maintain safe and productive job sites, it is advisable to cover which standards and practices are in place on job sites and how to best approach the decisions on which projects should be permitted and how to phase in those decisions.    The procedure for communicating changes to employees ...

Advice for your Essential Business during COVID-19 The number of COVID-19 cases is continually rising in the United States. To stop the spread of the virus, the government has taken several measures. It includes the ‘nonessential businesses’ to be kept under shutters. Admittedly, it is challenging to draw the line between essential and nonessential businesses. That pharmacies and groceries are regarded as essential businesses that do not create any question or doubt in anyone. But what about the rest? The federal government agencies, however, are working relentlessly to provide support and guidance to the essential businesses that are remaining open.  This article is written to make you aware of the advice that you need to follow to run your essential businesses.  Federal agencies like the  Infrastructure Security Agency  of the Department of Homeland Security and Cyber Security has issued guidance to both state and local ‘critical infrastruc...

Dear Clients and Friends, Over the weekend the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties issued a joint order that defines the businesses that are deemed essential and subject to closure. Some of the exempt businesses include health care providers, contractors, construction sites, law firms, etc. For your convenience we have attached the link of the Order to see in full detail. The Soto Law Group remains committed to you and our community to help in these hard times. If you have any concerns or questions regarding these exemptions remember that we are open and just an email or phone call away to help you.  Contact us: (954) 567-1776 Visit us: www.sotolawgroup.com Follow us: www.facebook.com/sotolawgroupfl/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-soto-law-group-p.a./

With the perpetual spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), businesses are on high alert with their course of business activities, the effect on their employees and clients, and their contractual obligations.  A vital clause to revisit in a business’ contract is force majeure. A force majeure is a contractual clause found in most construction contracts.  This clause will excuse the performance of a party or parties when an unforeseeable circumstance or event occurs that is beyond the control of the contracting parties.  Unforeseeable events may include war, influenza outbreaks, governmental action (such as mandated shutdown), or Acts of God (such as hurricanes or earthquakes).  COVID-19 may be considered a type of force majeure, dependent on the contractual force majeure language in a contract and the performance being prevented by the virus.   During these times, it is vital for businesses to revisit their contractual relationships and recognize not only ...

As of yesterday's news, Miami-dade announced that the county is permitting inspections centers to remain open, thus allowing the building industry to continue despite the coronavirus. Leave a comment below and tell us how do you feel about this decision. Visit this article to read more: https://therealdeal.com/miami/2020/03/18/social-distancing-coron avirus-not-stopping-south-florida-construction-projects-for-now/ Contact us: (954) 567-1776 Visit us: www.sotolawgroup.com Follow us: www.facebook.com/sotolawgroupfl/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-soto-law-group-p.a./