Winegar, Wilhelm, Glynn & Roemersma

By: Dennis W. Winegar, Esq.

            If you have made the decision to obtain a divorce from your spouse (or if your spouse has decided to divorce you), it is strongly recommended that you (more…)

By:  Brian A. Roemersma, Esq. 

In this new economic climate, employers are laying off several employees.  These layoffs impact the safety of workers who remain on the job.  Specifically, (more…)

Plan for Federal Foreclosure Aid

Both the House and Senate have been working separately on legislation aimed at rescuing struggling homeowners during the recent foreclosure crisis.  The thrust of both plans is to expand government mortgage insurance.  When facing a foreclosure, a borrower could refinance into a government-guaranteed 30-year fixed rate mortgage under specific conditions that include the home being the owner’s primary residence and the holder of the existing mortgage accepting 85% of the home’s present appraisal value as payment in full.

The difference between the two plans arises with regard to funding.  Under the House plan, $1.7 billion from the federal budget would be required to set up the program that would be administered by the Federal Housing Administration.  It is estimated that more than 500,000 mortgages would be refinanced over the next 5 years at a total expense of $2.7 billion to taxpayers.  This type of taxpayer funding has been highly criticized by a vast number of Republicans, including the President, who feel the funds will serve as a bailout, as much of the money finds its way into the hands of real estate speculators and irresponsible lenders.  If such a plan did make it out of the House the President has vowed to veto it.

On the other hand, the Senate has negotiated a more bipartisan plan.  The money to start up the program is pulled from an “affordable housing fund”, capitalized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by collecting less than half a cent on every dollar of mortgages purchased by those companies.  It is estimated that $500 million would be pulled from the “affordable housing fund” to set up the program.  It would run for only 3 years, yet still refinance about the same number of mortgages as the House plan.  After the expiration of the foreclosure aid period, the “affordable housing fund” would continue to exist and be funded in the same manner in order to construct affordable housing, such as low income rental housing.

The Senate plan has not been met with as much scrutiny because it is not dependant on a direct taxpayer cost; even the President has said he is willing to take a look at the plan if and when it makes it out of Committee.  So as foreclosure and unemployment rates continue to rise, as more people feel the pinch created by sky-rocketing gas prices, expect something to come out of Washington to ease some homeowner’s struggles.  After all, there is a federal election looming. [THE FOREGOING IS A GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE LAW AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS LEGAL ADVICE.  SHOULD YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC QUESTION, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE OR MAKE AN APPOINTMENT].

  Author:  Jim Augustine.

If you are planning to seek or modify a custody order for minor children in Northampton County, it is advisable to (more…)

Authored by Brian A. Roemersma, Esq.

 As you may be aware, the Medicare Secondary Payer Act has placed substantial burdens on injured workers across the United States.  Under the present Medicare guidelines (memos), (more…)

Author:  Dennis Winegar, Esq. 

If you have made the decision to obtain a Divorce from your spouse (or civil union partner), it is strongly recommended that you (more…)

 By Scott Wilhelm, Esq. 

The collateral consequences of a criminal record can linger for many years after the completion of a sentence.  For instance, (more…)

 Author:  Edward Glynn, Esq.

            Earlier this year, the New Jersey Supreme Court decided a case which extends the responsibilities of a school to protect students (more…)

If you are a manual laborer, statistics indicate you are likely to suffer a significant work injury at some point in time.  A work injury can occur at any time.  Most workers simply believe it only happens to someone else.  Unfortunately, it will probably happen to you.  When you suffer a work injury, here are some helpful tips.

 First, when a work injury occurs, report the injury immediately to a supervisor.  Most workers are not involved in an obvious work injury such as a motor vehicle accident, but are more likely to suffer an injury lifting something.  The worker lifts something heavy and feels sore at the end of the day, but does not want to be a complainer.  The worker usually goes home and tries to “sleep off” the pain.  It is not until days later when the worker decides this is not the typical sore back, but something is seriously wrong.  Again, it is imperative to report the injury once the worker believes he has a serious work injury.

Once the work injury is reported, it will depend on whether your injury occurred in New Jersey or Pennsylvania.  For a work injury which occurs in New Jersey, the compensation insurance company has the right to control (i.e. select) your treating doctor for the entire treatment period.  In contrast, a Pennslyvania work injury only requires the injured worker to treat with the compensation doctor for the first 90 days.

 Once you obtain medical treatment, be sure to explain to the doctor how the accident occurred.  Try to be as specific as possible as to “how” the work injury occurred.  For example, describe your line of work, your job duties, and what you were lifting on the day the accident occurred. 

Finally, consult an attorney to discuss your rights.  A work injury in New Jersey will provide different rights than a work injury in Pennsylvania.  Some workers will be able to choose between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  Therefore, if you believe your injury and employer has New Jersey and Pennslyvania contacts/locations, be sure to see an attorney who practices both New Jersey and Pennslyvania Compensation.

[THE FOREGOING SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS LEGAL ADVICE.  IF YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC QUESTION REGARDING A WORK INJURY, PLEASE EMAIL BRIAN A. ROEMERSMA, OR CALL THE OFFICE FOR AN APPOINTMENT] 

Authored by Steven J. Karch, Esq. 

 The New Jersey Legislature has declared that domestic violence is a serious crime against society and victims of domestic violence should be afforded the maximum protection (more…)