Indoor Air Quality: Is It An Issue For Architects?
September, 2001
The purpose of this paper is to describe the nature and scope of indoor air quality issues facing architects in sick building cases. While no ironclad device is likely to emerge to suit every project, this paper will also suggest some strategies architects might use to reduce their potential exposure to claims arising from such cases.
Proposed Amendments To COGSA Would Abolish $500 Package Limitation
October, 2000
The proposed amendments to the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (“COGSA”), which were drafted with the assistance of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, will also be before Congress in 2000.
New Maryland Legislation
September, 2000
In the most recent legislative session, there were three bills approved by the Maryland Legislature that make important changes in the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Act. Benefits for Permanent Partial Disability – Repeal of Sunset Provisions House Bill 182 / Senate Bill 117 repeals the termination date for specified changes to the workers’ compensation benefit structure…
The District Of Columbia Update
September, 2000
A limited number of forms routinely used in workers’ compensation claims in the District of Columbia can now be downloaded from the Internet. The Department of Employment Services has a new web site which makes these forms available. The Internet address for the site is http://does.ci.washington.dc.us. Once at the site, click first on the line…
Passenger Ship Convention Sidetracked/Bunker Pollution Convention Prioritized
August, 2000
In the last issue of The Quartermaster we mentioned that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Legal Committee was scheduled to meet in October of this year and would attempt to implement a Draft Protocol amending the 1974 Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea. Leading up to that meeting the Draft Protocol was nearly complete and it appeared that it would be the first priority of the Legal Committee. However, early in the course of the meeting it became apparent that consensus could not be reached on a number of important items, and, as a result, the Draft Protocol was taken off the Legal Committee’s number one priority status.
New Funding To Be Made Available For U.S. Flag Vessel Construction
July, 2000
Early in November, 1999, Representatives McCrery (R-La.) and Jefferson (D-La) in the House joined Sen. John Breaux (D-La) to sponsor new legislation that would change U.S. tax laws to liberalize the use of the Capital Construction Fund by U.S. flag operators not only to fund new ship construction in U.S. shipyards, but also to lease…