“Immediately” Means Now!
U.S. By Frederick B. Most commercial mariners and their vessel operating employers probably know that when certain significant vessel-related events occur, these must be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard. In my experience, however, there is widespread uncertainty in the marine industry about what must be reported and, more significantly, when. Many companies learn the hard way about these requirements and end up paying healthy fines — anywhere from several hundred to thousands of dollars — for failing to “immediately,” as the regulations require, report such events.
Law Firm Billing on Trial
By E. Richard Ogrodowski and Frederick B. This means the plaintiff's lawyer only gets paid if the plaintiff wins, either through a settlement or judgment. The attorney's fee will be a percentage, typically between 33 and 40% of the recovery. With the U.S. and the international economy in a recession though, and with attendant tight corporate budgets, even corporate clients accustomed to paying by the billable hour are exploring alternatives to the traditional hourly fee. The billable hour is the most prevalent form of compensating outside defense counsel in civil litigation.
