Blogs - Morefield Speicher Bachman, LC

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What is the Difference Between an Independent Contractor and Employee?

America’s work climate has changed over the last several decades. Companies like Amazon, Uber and Ebay have paved the way in creating a new way...

How the Delivery Service Industry is Flying Below Radar

E-commerce has become a way of life for us. Ordering items online and having them magically arrive at our doorstep the next day is now...

When Convenience Has a Human Cost

Home Delivery Services – Mini Series Home Delivery Services – The Human Cost Amazon has single-handedly changed the way we shop. Americans love the convenience...

What is the Difference Between an Independent Contractor and Employee?

America’s work climate has changed over the last several decades. Companies like Amazon, Uber and Ebay have paved the way in creating a new way...

How the Delivery Service Industry is Flying Below Radar

E-commerce has become a way of life for us. Ordering items online and having them magically arrive at our doorstep the next day is now...

When Convenience Has a Human Cost

Home Delivery Services – Mini Series Home Delivery Services – The Human Cost Amazon has single-handedly changed the way we shop. Americans love the convenience...

Can I Get a DUI While Riding a Bike or Scooter?

Summer means getting outdoors to enjoy the nice weather. More people are out and about walking and riding their bikes. Family and friends are gathering...

Can I Get a DWI While Boating?

Summer and boating activities go hand in hand. With the warmer weather, lots of us will be out on the water fishing, waterskiing and just...

The First Steps to Take When Losing a Loved One to Wrongful Death

Losing a loved one is one of life’s biggest challenges. If the loss of your loved one was sudden and due to the negligent or...

Who Gets Wrongful Death Damages?

The death of a loved one is overwhelming. It can be even more so if that death was unexpected and due to the negligence, recklessness...

What Kind of Damages Can I Get in a Wrongful Death Case?

Losing a family member is one of life’s most difficult experiences. If the death was caused by the misconduct or negligence of another, it is...

OSHA Compliance – Increases Excavation and Trenching Enforcement

OSHA Compliance – Excavation and Trenching The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced that it is stepping up their safety enforcement and education...

Construction Industry Trends for 2019

If you’re a construction business owner, it is important to be aware of upcoming trends in the industry. Being able to anticipate what is ahead...

Can a Minor Car Crash Cause A Major Personal Injury?

Major Personal Injury in Minor Car Crash? Car crashes account for an astounding number of major personal injuries every year. The National Highway Traffic Safety...

What to Do if You Have Been Injured by a Defective Product

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), defective products injure millions of Americans every year, and kill thousands of others. We use dozens...

Tips About Getting Paid In The Construction Business

By Stan Bachman Morefield Speicher Bachman, LC Cash flow is king in construction and getting paid is perhaps the most important variable whether a business...

The Dangers of Drowsy Driving in the Trucking Industry

Driving and fatigue are a dangerous combination. But when it comes to drivers of big rigs, the problem is even more serious. Commercial trucks weigh...

How To Better Protect Your Firm Against Construction Defect Claims

By Stan Bachman Morefield Speicher Bachman, LC Two words that create instant anxiety for construction contractors are”construction defects.” That’s because there are a host of...

What to Do If Someone Has a Spinal Cord Injury

In a split second, a spinal cord injury can change someone’s life forever. It is estimated that 17,500 spinal cord injuries occur every year. Currently,...

Does Your Construction Contract Protect You From Financial Losses?

By Stan Bachman Attorney, Morefield Speicher Bachman, LC When it comes to the construction business, risks are high and profit margins are low, and there’s...

Are Concussions Considered a Traumatic Brain Injury?

These days, there seems to be confusion surrounding the terms “concussion” and “traumatic brain injury.” Often, we hear about concussions that occur because of a...

A Change of Weather Poses Increased Driving Risks

The kids are back in school, and summer is behind us. There may be a little chill in the air, and people are getting ready...

It’s Time to Prepare for Winter Driving Hazards

We are well into the fall season and while it may seem a bit early, it’s a great time to prepare yourself and your family...

Winter In Kansas and Missouri Means More Slip and Fall Accidents

Here’s What You Can Do If You Fall The weather in Kansas and Missouri is notoriously unpredictable, especially in winter. The morning may be clear...

Do I Have a Spinal Cord Injury Case?

Current statistics report that approximately 250,000 spinal cord injuries occur every year. Because the spinal cord contains bundles of nerves that run from your brain...

Mechanics Liens In Kansas Construction

Used With Care, Liens Are A Highly Effective Way To Get Paid By Stan Bachman Morefield Speicher Bachman, LC Construction can be one of the...

It’s That Time of Year: Back to School Safety Tips

Summer is coming to a close. Kids will soon be back in school and Fall is around the corner! During this time of year, it’s...

5 Tips for Communicating with Someone Who Has Suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic brain injuries are just that: traumatic. These injuries can have a profound impact on not only the victim, but also the victim’s loved ones....

Should You Include An Arbitration Clause In Your Construction Contracts?

By Stan Bachman, Partner Morefield Speicher Bachman, LC It’s time to finalize the contract with your client. Do you include an arbitration clause? That might,...

3 Ways You Can Help Us Prevent Drunk Driving

We are committed to speaking out against drunk driving. That’s why we are big supporters of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Because we help many...

Artificial Intelligence In The Construction Industry On The Verge of Transformation

By Stan Bachman Attorney & Founding Member, Morefield Speicher Bachman, LC For a $10 trillion industry, technology remains a surprisingly small part of the construction...

4 Reasons to Give Truckers Extra Space

Whether you pass trucks on the highway during your daily commute or are going on a family road trip this summer, you should know that...

Summertime Motorcycle Safety Tips

When the weather turns warm, there is nothing better than getting out in the fresh air and enjoying it. If you are a motorcycle enthusiast,...

5 Myths About Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are life changing. You may be coping with putting your life back together after an accident and wondering about your next steps....

Dispelling Common Myths about Traumatic Brain Injuries

The human brain is a marvel. Everyday it seems science is discovering more about how our brains develop, function over our lifetime, and heal from...

3 Ways Attorney Stan Bachman’s Unique Approach to Construction Law Helps His Clients

If you’ve worked with Stan before, you probably know that his background is actually in construction – which is a perfect fit, considering he’s a...

5 Things Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know

Unless you have been in an accident, you’ve probably had little opportunity to deal with an insurance adjuster. As long as you pay your premiums...

Managing Risk in the Construction Industry

In a way, the construction industry is a lot like the healthcare industry. Many patients wait until they are seriously ill to see a doctor....

Andrew Speicher: An Attorney with Heart

Andrew always knew his calling was to help people. After all, this path started for him long ago. There are few experiences more formative than...

3 Distracted Driving Myths Everyone Should Know

Did you know every 8 seconds someone is injured in a car crash? Join us in spreading awareness for Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Many of...

How much do you know about Rick Morefield?

You probably know he’s passionate about his clients. You probably know he loves practicing law. But there is a lot you don’t know about Rick....

5 Tips for Communicating with Someone who has a Traumatic Brain Injury

Do you have a loved one suffering from a traumatic brain injury? It can be hard to adjust and know what to say. You want...

MSB ALERT: New Ordinance on Employer’s use of Criminal Records

MSB ALERT: The City Council for Kansas City, Missouri recently passed restrictions on the ability of employers to inquire about and use a job applicant’s...

Safety Meetings and Toolbox-Talks: Are you doing these?

We strongly believe worker safety should be one of your top priorities as a construction firm. Do you have policies in place to ensure you...

Substance Use in the Construction Industry: Are you addressing it?

The opioid crisis seems to be in the news a lot lately. Construction firms may be faced with the difficult tension of helping employees stay...

How to Stay Safe Driving Around Tractor Trailers

Do you know how to stay safe when driving around tractor-trailers? Though we do it every day, we often forget that tractor-trailers are much different...

Addressing the Construction Worker Shortage Across the U.S.

According to a recent survey which questioned 1,000 firms nationwide, the construction industry is decidedly on an upswing. Firms appear to be optimistic and the...

What damages can I recover from a car crash in Missouri?

If you’ve been in a car crash and are thinking about whether you should bring a lawsuit, your first question is probably, how much money...

5 Tips When Dealing with Construction Contracts

Whether you are a general contractor or a subcontractor, it is important to have a complete understanding of your construction contract before starting the project....

Driving in Winter Weather

Driving in winter weather can come with all sorts of unexpected dangers – slick roads, stranded vehicles, limited visibility and more. Keep these 5 tips...

What Damages Can I Recover from a Car Crash in Kansas?

If you’ve been in a car crash and are thinking about whether you should bring a lawsuit, your first question is probably, how much money...

Protecting Your Business During the Cold Weather Months

As the weather changes, different safety issues arise. In the summer, there are warm weather hazards to be aware of such as heat stroke and...

From the Road to the Kitchen: Thanksgiving Safety Tips

Millions of Americans gather with loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving. The includes road trips to family who live in other states and lots of cooks...

Creating a Company Culture of Safety

It’s no secret that construction work is dangerous. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 1 in every 5 fatalities in private industry...

37% of People Have Fallen Asleep While Driving – Remember These 12 tips to Stay Safe

37% of people have fallen asleep while driving. On top of that, 60% of people have driven while tired, 13% report falling asleep while driving...

New Law Provides Payment Protection for Kansas Subcontractors and Suppliers

In April, important payment protections were put in place for subcontractors and suppliers for public work projects that were financed by public-private partnerships. This new...

Is it Whiplash or Something Else?

Have you been suffering from chronic pain and been told “It’s only whiplash.”? Have you been told “You just need to get over it.”? If...

Tips to Avoid Struck-By Accidents on the Construction Site

We all recognize that construction is a dangerous business. There are countless ways that someone can get hurt. One significant danger is struck-by accidents. A...

What Caused Elvis’s Death? What Part Did Minor Traumatic Brain Injury Play?

My family and I visited Memphis this summer. Since this year is the 40th anniversary of Elvis’s death, we made it a priority to tour...

AIA Contract Revised for 2017

AIA has been an industry leader in providing form contracts to the construction industry for over 100 years. Every ten years their documents are revised...

Ten Water Safety Tips for the Hot Kansas City Summer

It is getting hot out there! July is always an almost unbearably hot month here in Kansas City – we hope you’re staying cool and...

Ten Tips to Reduce Pedestrian Related Traffic Accidents

The weather in Kansas City is perfect this time of year. You can feel the first hints of summer around the corner but without the...

Richard Morefield Appointed to Chair TIPS Trial Techniques Committee

Attorney Richard Morefield has been appointed as Chair of the TIPS Trial Techniques Committee for the 2017-2018 membership year. As chair, Rick will lead a diverse group...

Scaffolding Safety Tips

High rise or multi-level construction is common these days and presents many potential dangers, one of which is scaffolding accidents. It is estimated that 2.3...

Drunk Driving Causes 27 Deaths Each Day in the US

Each day drunk driving causes 27 deaths in the United States. That’s 27 deaths each day that are 100% preventable. Here’s how you can help...

Prepare for Compliance – OSHA Silica Regulations Explained

Back in March of 2016, OSHA published a regulation that requires construction employers to limit worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Silica can be dangerous...

Who is At Fault for a Car Accident in Bad Weather?

We all know Kansas City weather can turn on a dime. I was golfing a few weeks ago and scraping ice off the windshields last...

Giving Back Through Volunteer Attorney Programs

Improving access to legal services for low income individuals and families is a critical component of breaking the cycle of poverty for individuals and families...

Make a Choice to End Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving accidents are 100% preventable. Even so, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 10,265 people in the United States died from alcohol-related...

Reduce Your Risk of Traumatic Brain Injury in a Bike Accident

When a car and bicycle collide, the injuries to the bike rider can be catastrophic. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in a majority...

Revocup South – Turning Spare Change into Meaningful Change

If you like the Morefield Speicher Bachman, LC law firm on Facebook, then you have probably seen us sharing events for our Overland Park, Kansas neighbor...

Neck Injury – Sometimes It’s Not “Just Whiplash”

What is Whiplash? Whiplash is one of the most common personal injury diagnoses following a car accident. When an ER doctor examines a patient complaining...

A Paralegal Perspective: Is a Career as a Personal Injury Paralegal Right for You?

Thinking about working as a personal injury paralegal but wondering if it is a good fit for you? Here’s my perspective on what it takes...

Minor Traumatic Brain Injury Myths Dispelled

Traumatic brain injury, concussions, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) have been regular topics in the news, sports, and entertainment. Public awareness of these injuries is...

Missouri Mechanic’s Lien – Subcontractors Protect Your Lien Rights

In Missouri, subcontractors, skilled laborers, and materials suppliers who are not paid for their work, have a right to file a Mechanic’s Lien against commercial real property...

Texting and Driving Causes Car Accidents. Period.

The National Safety Council has designated April “Distracted Driving Awareness Month.” Texting and driving has become one of the biggest distractions to drivers on Kansas City roads, and...

Drunk Driving Accident – The Party’s Over

Nobody starts their night-out saying “I hope I hurt or kill somebody tonight in a drunk driving accident.” But if you or somebody you care...

Motorcycle Accident: Does a Helmet Help My Case?

We hear the question a lot. “If I am injured in a motorcycle accident without wearing a helmet, can I still recover for my injuries,...

Appeals: Kansas Supreme Court

Next in Morefield Speicher Bachman’s series on law for non-lawyers, is a discussion about appeals in Kansas. This article will look at what the appellate courts do...

Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution

This is the third article in our “Law for Non-Lawyers” series. If you are involved in a lawsuit, you should ask your lawyers about mediation...

Hearsay Evidence: Legal Basics for Non-Lawyers

If you have ever watched a legal thriller or read a John Grisham novel, you have heard attorneys or judges use the word “hearsay”. If...

After a car accident, should I give a statement to the other driver’s insurer?

When you are injured in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence you will likely be asked by the at-fault driver’s...

Federal Construction Contractors Beware!

There are huge differences in bond claim requirements when working on federally financed projects. If you’re a contractor or subcontractor on a federal funded project…do...

When Should You Call a Car Accident Attorney?

After suffering injuries in a car accident caused by somebody else’s negligence, most people are focused on getting the medical treatment they need to recover....

Missouri Lien Law 201

From the Court of Appeals of Missouri, Eastern District, came a case of “first impression,” on 2 different issues concerning mechanic’s liens in Missouri. The...

Meet Morefield Speicher Bachman, LC’s Newest Paralegal

Morefield Speicher Bachman, LC is pleased to welcome paralegal Aimee Burton to the MSB family. Aimee received her Associate of Arts degree from Coastal Carolina...

Law for Non-Lawyers: Can I Recover Damages If I Was Partly At Fault?

In negligence cases, one of the first issues a personal injury lawyer considers is who was at fault. In non-legal terms, negligence cases are those in...

Do I have Enough Auto Insurance?

If you’re like many people, there are probably three things you think about when it comes to auto insurance: 1) Do I have the state...

Why Haven’t I Been Paid And What Can I Do About It?

If there is one thing every construction company wants to know it’s this…when am I going to be paid? Many states have enacted what are...

Kansas Construction Projects: Liquidated Damages or Unenforceable Penalty?

In a case handed down by the KS Supreme Court a few years ago, the Court effectively ruled that, in Kansas, liquidated damages will be...

Motorcycle Safety: Stay Shiny Side Up

I don’t know about you, but I’m itching for all this Kansas City rain to stop so I can start riding regularly again. The wind in my face. The...

Congratulations to Stan Bachman and Rick Morefield

Stan Bachman and Rick Morefield have been selected for inclusion in the 2015 Kansas and Missouri SuperLawyers publication. This honor is limited to no more...

Kansas Mechanic’s Liens – What’s in a Name?

When it comes to Kansas mechanic’s liens, how important is the name of the contractor on the lien if you’re a subcontractor or material supplier?...

MSB Welcomes Kate Stromsted to Our Law Firm

Morefield Speicher Bachman, LC is pleased to welcome Kate Stromsted to our team. Kate joins us as a part-time legal office assistant. She is a...

Rick Morefield Presents at ABA/TIPS Section Conference in Philadelphia

On May 1, 2015, Rick Morefield, Kelly Smits (Willis North America, Inc.) and Gerard Gregoire (Director – East Litigation Services, Allstate Insurance) were panelists at...

Court Funding Crisis

We created this blog to provide timely and useful information about important legal issues. As a rule, we stay away from politics. This is one of...

Traumatic Brain Injuries: Why So Many Doctors?

Victims of traumatic brain injuries are sometimes frustrated or alarmed because they are sent to so many different medical specialists. While it can be annoying for...

Motor Carriers Caught in the Crosshairs

It seems like simple common sense that trucking companies should not put drivers on the road who are known to have drinking problems. A google...

Don’t Get Caught by the Juror Phishing Scam

According to the U.S. Courts website, individuals in Kansas and other states are being targeted once again by a juror phishing scam. Scammers seek to...

Living With Traumatic Brain Injury

Injury victims who suffer a broken bone, a burn, or a serious wound deal with significant and obvious pain and limitations. Their friends and loved ones can...

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