Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 78 by Caribbean American Weekly

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Chamber of Commerce Will Host Its Annual Business, Real Estate & Wealth Building Expo VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.CAWNYC.COM

ISSUE 78 VOLUME 18

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INSIDE:

he Chamber Coalition ─ New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), the African-American International Chamber of Commerce (AAICC) and the Hispanic-American International Chamber of Commerce (HAICC) ─ in partnership with Equity Smart Realty, Inc., is proud to present its Annual Business, Real Estate & Wealth Building Expo on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at the Sheraton Brooklyn Hotel, 228 Duffield Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. This is the ideal expo for the novice, information seeker, prospective and current home owners, realtors, investors, entrepreneurs, marketing and salespersons to come together and learn how to create, keep and build wealth. The Business, Real Estate & Wealth Building Expo promises to be high energy and impactful. The day starts with a Welcome VIP Breakfast ─ Be Equity Smart, and continues with empowering seminars, an exhibiting hall of businesses and a Real Estate Investing Luncheon. Brian Figeroux, Esq., Founder of NACC, said that the “American Dream is twofold: that of starting a business and owning a business. At the New American Chamber of Commerce we seek to empower our members and the wider community to achieve those goals. That’s why we are having our Annual Business, Real Estate and Wealth Building Expo. The theme of the Expo is ‘building wealth and creating legacies’ and that is, what it is all about. How are we going to

pass wealth from one generation to another? How are we going to create a legacy? By owning a home, starting a business and investing in property. “According to the NYC Comptroller’s Office, ‘working New Yorkers are struggling through an affordability crisis. With rents rising and wages stagnant, the very people who helped build their communities up…well, they’re being priced out.’ Almost every minority community is facing gentrification. How do we fight gentrification? What is the solution? Answer: Home ownership. “Also, the unemployment rate is highest in the minority community. How do we bring it down? Again what is the solution? Answer: Starting a business. Guess what? In addition to family and friends, one has a tendency to hire those who look and sound like them.

“Save the date: March 24, 2018. It’s a day of opportunity and we invite all to come. Lao Tzu said that ‘The journey of a thousand miles, begins with one step.’ The path to building wealth and creating legacies starts on Saturday, March 24, 2018. It's that first, one step. Don’t miss it.” Victoria Falk, CEO of Passionate Travel Inc., Vice-President of AAICC and President of BlackCEO NY Chapter, says "I highly recommend that if you are in business, or seriously thinking about starting a business, that you attend the upcoming Business, Real Estate & Wealth Building Expo. In this age of high technology, connecting with people on a personal level is still very important. We do business with people we know,

like and trust. There's no better way to establish initial rapport with a potential client or business partner than at the Expo. So bring your business cards, a positive attitude, and be prepared to network with other professional people who want to meet you. Attend the seminars and learn from people who have quality information to help you get to your next level. Personally, I have gained new customers and business partners, as well as valuable information that have put me ahead of my competition at previous expos presented by the New American Chamber of Commerce. So mark your calendar and prepare to attend the Business, Real Estate & Wealth Building Expo on Saturday, March 24, 2018.” To learn more or register now, visit www.businessexponyc.com l

Why Buying an Investment Property Is the Best Way to Build Your Net Worth

hether you have recently graduated from college or are getting close to retirement, it's likely that you have given some thought as to how you can grow your net worth. You might have invested in stocks, picked up a few bonds or have a 401(k) plan set up to help fund your retirement. But have you considered buying real estate as part of your portfolio? We'll have a look at three reasons why real estate invest-

ing is one of the most effective ways to grow your overall net worth.

Reason #1: It Generates Passive Income One of the best reasons to hold real estate as part of your investment portfolio is that it can generate passive income in the form of rent. Whether you buy a single-family home or an apartment block, you can continued on page 3

2 BUSINESS, REAL ESTATE & WEALTH BUILDING EXPO Foreign Exchange (Forex) and Cryptocurrency Trading

8. Tell us more about your weekly Forex seminars at NACC. Anyone who is interested in learning the basics of how to get into the Forex and Cryptocurrency market should attend. I go through in more detail about how people can get started and the tools and strategies that I use on a daily basis. I expect the attendees to get a basic understanding of Forex and Cryptocurrencies and the opportunity to get started trading the markets today.

BY ELIAS GEBREHIWOT

re you curious about the Foreign Exchange and Cryptocurrency trading world? Meet Anthony Vallone, who has been offering Foreign Exchange (Forex) and Cryptocurrency Trading seminar at the New American Chamber of Commerce. The following is our interview with Mr. Vallone who shares his Forex and Cryptocurrency Trading experience, which we feel is important information for our readers:

1. What is Forex Trading? Where do you trade? Forex Trading is trading the exchange rate between two currencies. This can be done on any internet accessible device. The tools you need are really just the knowledge of how to trade with technical and fundamental analysis. There are many indicators that can be used to help be a consistently profitable trader.

2. Can you give us some background into how you began trading? I got into trading because a friend of mine had stumbled across it and we started doing our research. It was truly a blessing in disguise because now, Forex trading almost equals my full-time position’s income on a monthly basis.

3. Have you learned from other successful traders or do you always follow your own path? Somewhat of a combination. I have learned from some great traders and I think that has contributed to my success. But having the right mentor is also a key to success.

4. Are there specific rules for Forex Trading that you find exceptionally important? Well I follow a specific set of rules and risk management and I ALWAYS keep to that. You have to follow your own rules; if you don't, you are simply gambling. 5 What is Cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrency is a digital currency in which encryption techniques are used to

regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of funds, operating independently of a central bank.

6. What are the most common Cryptocurrencies? Bitcoin, Dash, Ripple, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Monero...there are thousands of them!

7. What is the future of Cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrency is the future of how funds and information will be transferred. It is going to have a huge impact on the way we use not only the currency side of it, but the technology as well.

9. You will also be participating in the upcoming Business, Real Estate and Wealth Building Expo presented by NACC. Let’s talk about that. I will be offering a more in depth dive into what Forex is and diving deep into my strategy. My step-by-step plan for how I trade will be taught at the Expo.

10. What is your advice for someone who wants to use Forex as a wealth building strategy? My advice is to come to the Expo on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Sheraton Brooklyn Hotel. Come, listen and learn. We can set up an appointment to find out what your goals are and how we can achieve them together! l Please visit www.nacc.nyc for full details about Forex and Cryptocurrency.

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BUSINESS, REAL ESTATE & WEALTH BUILDING EXPO

Buying an Investment Property/ continued from page 1

almost certainly find interested tenants who will live there. Part of the rent you receive each month will cover the costs of owning and operating the property. The rest of it is income which will continue to build over time.

Reason #2: It Increases In Value Over Time Another great reason to invest in real estate is that in most cases, it increases in value over time. As long as you are maintaining the property and investing in its upkeep, you have a decent shot at it being worth more in the coming years, should you decide to sell. Keep in mind that real estate is cyclical and that it's not always going to be the right time to sell and realize your gains.

Reason #3: You Can Leverage Equity to Buy More Properties Finally, our third reason why real estate is the best way to build your worth, is your ability to use it as leverage to buy more real estate. For example, say you decide to purchase a house valued at $100,000 as an investment property. Once the mortgage on that home is paid off, you have an asset valued at $100,000 that you can then borrow against. So you can go out and acquire another $100,000 home without having to sell the first. As you can see, this can scale quite nicely over time. If you are interested in learning more about real estate investing and how you can make use of mortgage financing to purchase properties, give our office a call. We are happy to share our insight and expertise as well as advise you on the best mortgage products to help reach your financial goals. Schedule an appointment today. Call us at 888-670-6791.l

Looking to Buy a Home in 2018 and Don't Know Where to Start?

re you a renter who has become tired of paying someone else's mortgage and not building any equity? Or a homeowner who has a growing family and is in need of more space? Whatever the case, if you are in the market for a new home there is no time like the present. Let's explore a few tips that will help you to prepare for the home buying experience.

Tip #1: Prepare for a Busy Spring Season First, it should be pretty obvious that you aren't the only house hunter on the market. Other local individuals and families alike will be searching for a new house to call their own. As you may know, the spring is generally when the local real estate market starts to heat up. So, if you are looking to buy, you may want to address your needs earlier in the spring rather than later. The sooner you can get the paperwork signed, the less of a chance you end up in a bidding war.

Tip #2: Mortgage Rates May Be Trending Up While this is in no way a prediction, there have been some indications that mortgage interest rates may be trending higher in 2018. If this does end up being the case, the cost of buying a home is going to be a little bit more. So if you can move quickly and get your mortgage pre-approved now, you may find that you end up with a better deal than those families who wait until the summer to make a move.

Tip #3: Prepare Your Finances and Credit In Advance Finally, it's a great best practice to ensure that your personal finances are prepared in advance. Your real estate agent will be able to assist

you with which documentation you will need to have ready. You should also check in with one of the major credit reporting agencies. They will be able to advise you as to whether you have any issues with your credit rating or FICO score. Buying a home is always an exciting experience – one which can be relatively stress-free if you are prepared. When you are ready to discuss buying your dream home or to view available listings in the local area, give our office a call. Our real estate sales team is here to help you find the perfect house, condo or apartment to suit your needs.Schedule an appointment today. Call us at 888-670-6791.l

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When It Comes to Immigration, America Suffers from Amnesia VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.CAWNYC.COM

BY CARDINAL JOSEPH WILLIAM TOBIN

merica has a storied history. Over the years, we have been bolstered by steady levels of family immigration, which has helped build communities, revitalize local economies, invest in small businesses and promote integration. This rich history forms the fabric of these United States, yet far too often, our nation experiences amnesia when it comes to reck-

ISSUE 78 VOLUME 18

TO ADVERTISE IN OUR PUBLICATION CALL 718-771-0988

oning with our immigrant roots. Over the past year, the level of vitriol directed to undocumented families has been astonishing. Elected officials proclaim their hardline stance on immigration as a badge of honor, even as some proclaim to be people of faith. From President Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ban on migration for persons from Muslim-majority

Black Panther Is the Superhero and Heroines - We Deserve ...see page 13

continued on page 10

I Was Injured at Work. What Are My Legal Rights?... see page 19

Black Minds Matter Rally & March Unites Community in Support of Black History Education

rooklyn, NY: Senator Jesse Hamilton and Senator Marisol Alcantara held a Black Minds Matter rally in front of Medgar Evers College in partnership with Lay the Guns Down Foundation, No Guns Smoke, and educators, parents, students, community advocates and residents. The Black Minds Matter rally touched on the themes of a united commitment to Black History and education beyond Black History Month, a commitment to stand in solidarity with students and educators who faced the

T&T Launches iLoveTT Diaspora Project ...see page 2

Filing for Social Security at Full Retirement Age? ...see page 9

continued on page 8

Four Divorce Predictions & Their Antedotes ... see page 16

Is Jamaica Pulling Out of CSME? ...see page 2

Caribbean Consulates

Anguilla 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200

Antigua & Barbuda 305 East 47th Street, Suite 6A New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-541-4117

The Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-421-6420

Barbados 820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-551-4325

Belize 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-593-0999

Dominica 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400H New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-0853

Dominican Republic 1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-599-8478

Grenada 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1101 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-599-0301

Guyana 308 West 38th Street New York, N.Y. 10018 Tel: 212-947-5119

Haiti 815 Second Avenue,6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-697-9767

Jamaica 767 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-935-9000

Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-838-6887

Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200

Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-840-2450

St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021 Tel: 212-535-5521

St. Lucia 800 Second Avenue, 9th Floor New York, N.Y. 10007 Tel: 212-697-9360 St. Maarten 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 800-786-2278

St. Vincent & The Grenadines 801 Second Avenue, 21st Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-687-4981 Trinidad & Tobago 125 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10038 Tel: 212-682-7272

For more Consulate information go to www.cawnyc.com/directory

CARIBBEAN ROUNDUP T&T Launches iloveTT Diaspora Project

ORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: iloveTT, a Diaspora engagement initiative of InvesTT, the Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has been launched. “This project establishes a platform for long-term connections and collaboration with the T&T Diaspora and seeks to create a vibrant and engaged community,” explains Christopher Lewis, President InvesTT. “It’s where ideas and information will be shared between national economic developers and the Diaspora in the hope of forming partnerships to

Christopher Lewis, President of InvesTT, (seated) with some of his team members.

achieve the country’s developmental goals.”

Crime and Violence High on Agenda as CARICOM Heads Meet

ORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has given the assurance that CARICOM leaders intend “to get to the bottom of some of the issues that are spawning the level of violence that we are seeing across the Caribbean today.” Speaking prior to the start of the 29th Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government underway in Haiti, he said the Caribbean had been witnessing a gradual and, at times, rapid deterioration in the state of the societies as a result of crime and violence, and the issue will take center stage at the summit. “At the regional level, crime and violence has become a serious issue for us. It’s actually threatening the stability of our societies and, therefore, not without significance, the distinguished Prime Minister of Jamaica requested at the last Heads of Government meeting in Grenada, that rather than just discussing the issue of regional security, that we

Hon. Freundel Stuart

should also discuss the issue of crime and violence since that was a pressing issue for him in Jamaica from day to day,” Stuart said. “And, therefore, that is going to be an important agenda item at this meeting.” The Barbadian leader was optimistic that regional leaders would come to a consensus on adopting measures “to counteract these tendencies and to create a more peaceful civilization for our people.”l

Grenada PM Promises Speedy Implementation of National Health Insurance after Elections

T. GEORGE’S, Grenada: Confident of his New National Party (NNP) being returned to power in the March 13th general election, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell has promised to move speedily with the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) after the polls. Under the NHI, Grenadians will be able to access a range of health services. The government said the insurance plan is geared towards making health care affordable and accessible. Speaking at an NNP rally, Prime Minister Mitchell said the implementation of the NHI will be a top priority after the polls. “We have watched our health care sys-

tem in this country over the years – governments go, governments come. We have seen the fundamental problems…. “I want to tell you, in the next term of our Government, starting March 14th, we are going to move speedily and implement a National Health Insurance,” he said. Mitchell pointed out that healthcare is an election issue not only in Grenada or the Caribbean, but internationally as well. The NHI Secretariat was officially launched in October last year at the same time that the government signed a deal with the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) to provide technical support for the NHI.l

In carrying out its mandate to attract foreign investment into the country, the agency recognized the enormous potential of the Diaspora to contribute to economic and social development in various fields including sports, creative arts, venture capital, medicine, education and technology. Discussions on current events, investment opportunities and social programmes as well as country data reports, achievements and useful business guidelines will be accessible to all followers of the iloveTT social networks – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.l

Could Jamaica Pull Out of CSME?

amaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness tabled, in the House of Representatives, a copy of the report of the commission that was set up last year to review Jamaica’s relations with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). And it contains a suggestion that the country withdraw from the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) if CARICOM does not implement some reforms within five years. The Commission, led by former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, was charged with evaluating the effects of Jamaica’s membership in the Caribbean Community on the country’s economic growth and development, with particular reference to trade in goods and services, investment, international competitiveness and job creation. Tabling the report, Prime Minister Holness underscored that the review was not intended to seek an exit from CARICOM and from various regional arrangements, such as the CSME, but to undertake a full review of the structure, procedures and practices that have not worked effectively in the national and regional interest. However, he noted that “the recommendations and principles of resultsbased management and greater public scrutiny are carefully noted. In order to increase effectiveness, a definitive commitment by all Member States to a specific time-bound, measurable and verifiable program of action to fulfill all their obligations and complete all requirements for the Caribbean Single Market to be fully established and operational within the next five years must be in place.” “Failure to do so would, at that time, put into question the viability of Jamaica’s continued participation in what would then have to be recognized as an ineffective Caribbean Single Market process, lacking the true commitment of Member States. In such circumstances, one would then have to consider how best Jamaica would be situated in the CARICOM model,” Holness added.l

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EDITORIAL

Survivors of Sex Abuse to Senate Republicans:

“Stop Protecting Child Abusers”

BY SAFE HORIZON

ozens of survivors of childhood sex abuse, advocates, trauma specialists, faith leaders, and elected officials flooded the capitol to demand that Senate Republicans support the Child Victims Act (CVA), legislation that will bring meaningful statute of limitations (SOL) reform for survivors of childhood sex abuse, included in Governor Cuomo’s proposed 2018-19 budget. The CVA has been introduced every year for 12 years, and last year passed the Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support. This year, Governor Cuomo included it in his proposed budget. According to a recent Quinnipiac College poll, 90% of New Yorkers support the CVA. However, the legislation remains stifled in the Senate where Majority Leader John Flanagan has not even allowed the bill to come to the floor for a vote. “As sisters who have always been the best of friends, it took us decades to tell each other, we had been sexually abused by our father. Charges were filed in Utah and our father is currently serving a 10year to life sentence. In NY, we would not have been able to do so. The opportunity to be heard and publicly name our abuser has been important for our healing. Survivors in NY need to be allowed to share their experiences to protect the next generation of children. The passage of the Child Victims Act is vital and the time is now,” said Deondra and Desirae Brown, members of The 5 Browns and founders of Foundation for Survivors of Abuse. Senate Republicans claim that one of the components of the Child Victims Act – a one-year look back window to allow survivors over the age of 23 to seek retrospective civil relief—would create “an evidentiary nightmare” for the courts. But the state’s chief administrative judge, Lawrence K. Marks, debunked that argument, stating: “I’m sure we would be able to accommodate any additional cases that came from that law.” “I was a victim of sexual abuse at the age of 13 by my hockey coach in Marine Park, Brooklyn. When I finally reported him the league fired him but did not go to the police. I have been forced to watch,

legally powerless, as my abuser, a man with direct and easy access to dozens of children every hockey season for decades, found his next victim, and his next victim. To this day he lives free in Marine Park, Brooklyn - freer than any of his victims will ever be. The statute of limitations, by its very nature creates more victims. Once a victim turns 23, there can only be justice if there is another victim. We must let those who know, say what they know. New York’s parents, and most importantly New York’s children, deserve to know,” said survivor Christopher Gavagan. “I am one in four girls who will be sexually abused in New York. While the average age for a child sex abuse victim to come forward is 42, the New York statute of limitations expires for most at age 23, forcing the majority of survivors to never have an opportunity for justice nor have their abusers identified. It’s time for Senate Republicans to stand with survivors and support the Child Victims Act in this year’s budget,” said survivor Mary Ellen Oloughlin. Each year, 40,000 children are sexually abused in New York State – one in four women and one in six men—yet New York is one of the worst states in the nation for survivors of childhood sexual abuse who wish to seek justice in court. The vast majority of childhood sex abuse survivors only have until the relatively young age of 23 to bring criminal charges or seek civil relief. Once that age is reached, the doors to justice are forever closed forever. “I am the leader of an organization that serves children who have experienced sexual abuse, and I am myself a survivor of child sexual abuse. The impacts of sexual abuse are severe and long-lasting, and public policy should reflect a primary interest in promoting healing and facilitating justice. The Child Victims Act offers just such a policy approach, respecting the painful and, at times, prolonged process that many survivors experience as they become ready to name their offender and seek justice. I want to see NYS law prioritize the needs of victims over those of offenders, and the CVA offers a commonsense approach to doing so,” said Deb Rosen, survivor and

Executive Director of Bivona Child Advocacy Center. "Thirteen years ago, passing the Child Victims Act would have been a bold and progressive action by the New York State Legislature in providing access to justice for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. Today, passing the Child Victims Act is the only way for the Senate to end its decade-long disregard for victims of childhood sexual abuse. Where we should have led, we now need to catch up," said Christopher E. Bromson, Executive Director of the Crime Victims Treatment Center, and a trauma expert. "Protecting children from predators should not be controversial or political. Thanks to the fearless efforts of survivors of sexual abuse and harassment, the fight for justice is taking on a new urgency. We must make it clear that justice is nonnegotiable and survivors are not a bargaining chip. Working alongside survivors, advocates, and activists, we will make sure the Child Victims Act is in the final budget and survivors are given their day in court," said State Senator Brad Hoylman (D-NY). “Time is up on the state senate denying justice to victims of childhood sexual abuse. There are two options for senators: they can stand with children and the victims of childhood sexual abuse by allowing them justice, or they can continue blocking this bill and protecting hidden predators. The choice is very clear,” said survivor Steve Jimenez. “A broadened path to justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse in New York State is within sight after years of delay and inaction. With the Assembly taking the lead last year in passing a bill and Governor Cuomo calling for the Child Victims Act to pass as part of his FY19 budget proposal, this is the time to make New York’s laws more closely align with the needs of survivors rather than those who harm them. Safe Horizon calls on the leadership of the New York State Senate to join with the Governor and the New York State Assembly and pass the Child Victims Act into law without further delay,” said Michael Polenberg, VP of Government Affairs for Safe Horizon.l

TEAM

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. —Hosea 4:6 Publisher I.Q. INC.

Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief Pearl Phillip Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq.

Assistant Editor Marilyn Silverman

Graphic & Website Designer Praim Samsoondar

Contributors Cardinal Joseph William Tobin Marc H. Morial Jacqueline Wielick Elias Gebrehiwot Seema Nananda Maurice Backman Joshua Breisblatt Kristin MacLeod-Ball David Landers Janet Howard Email cariaweekly@aol.com Telephone 718-771-0988

Website www.cawnyc.com Feel the warmth of the Caribbean on your fingertips. Connect. Visit our website at www.cawnyc.com for daily news and more!

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CIVIL RIGHTS

The Fight for Civil Rights Is Also about Economic Opportunity

BY SEEMA NANDA

e often compartmentalize the daunting challenges facing this country. One fight is about taxes. Another is about health care. A third is about the tension between corporations and workers. The truth is that all of these challenges are deeply intertwined. Providing health care to all is not only about keeping us well, but also about our economic well-being. Similarly, civil rights are not just about legal freedoms, but also removing obstacles that prevent people from climbing the ladder of economic opportunity, or even getting a foothold in the first place. In a few weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a landmark case that highlights the deep connections between workers’ rights and economic opportunity — and the grave threats posed by the all-out assault on working people by a handful of powerful interests. Janus v. AFSCME could upend long-settled constitutional questions, deepen existing economic inequality, and put a solid middle-class livelihood further out of reach for too many. For all of these reasons, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and more than 85 organizations committed to civil rights and economic opportunity, filed a brief with the

“Civil rights are not just about legal freedoms, but also removing obstacles that prevent people from climbing the ladder of economic opportunity....”

Supreme Court in support of the public sector workers and their unions who are under attack. Almost 40 years ago in Abood vs. Detroit Board of Education, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that it was constitutional for public sector unions to collect “fair share fees” — fees to cover collective bargaining costs — from the nonmembers who the union is legally obligated to represent through collective bargaining and in other ways. In its decision, the Court reasoned that these fair share fees balance the rights and equities of everyone involved, allowing workers to exercise their right not to join a union but also ensuring that nobody free rides on the benefits negotiated by the union. Indeed, all members of a collective bargaining unit, regardless

Seema Nanda

of union membership, receive the benefits of union negotiations, such as higher wages, representation in grievance processes, and, often, health care, fair scheduling, and other benefits. This may all change with the Court’s decision. Abood brought labor peace, reaffirmed the right of states to manage their own labor relations, and, most importantly, empowered millions of workers to have a voice. Overruling this longstanding precedent would reverse 40 years of progress and radically reorder First Amendment jurisprudence. Janus is the culmination of a decadeslong effort to weaken employees’ rights at work, including a fevered state-bystate assault on workers’ rights that has swept the country since 2010. It also comes alongside recent Supreme Court

cases that erode the rights of private sector workers, in particular by preserving mandatory arbitration practices that effectively override workers’ right to file a class action suit, even in cases of sexual harassment or discrimination based on race, age or gender. As a result, many workers in America now have to choose between their civil rights and a job — more than 60 million workers must sign away their right to sue their employer simply as a condition of employment. A Supreme Court ruling against unions in the Janus case would make it harder for millions of people to get ahead and stay ahead. Rather than undermining unions, we need to expand on decades of experience proving that collective bargaining and strong unions create and sustain economic opportunity. Our economic system needs repair, but breaking public sector unions is not the fix working people need. To the contrary, we have seen the realworld results of empowering workers through public sector unions. Wages for women and people of color in unions are not only higher than their nonunion counterparts; they are also more equal. The gender wage gap for nonunion workers is typically 20 cents for full-

continued on page 8

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DIASPORA CONCERNS

Crime Will Destabilize Guyana Without New Laws & Crime-Fighting Measures

EW YORK: The Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) is concerned about the inability of Guyana’s law enforcement authorities to arrest violent crime. Murders, shootings, armed robberies; domestic violence, rape, car-jacking, felonious assaults and other serious crimes are pervasive. Sections of the population live in fear. Guyanese abroad fear being robbed when visiting Guyana. Pervasive violent crime prompted the U.S. State Department on November 25, 2017, to warn US citizens to “Exercise increased caution in Guyana due to crime. Violent crime, such as armed robbery and murder, is common. Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.” The brazen robbery and shooting to death of American street money-changer, Shawn Nurse (aka “Fabulous”), on the morning of Sunday, February 4, 2018, while doing business in the busy Georgetown commercial district, and other murders, demonstrate that criminals are unafraid to strike at any time. Their bravery is driven by an insufficient deployment of security assets in strategic areas of Guyana. Daily press reports of overseas visitors or senior citizens, business owners and ordinary citizens being

robbed at gunpoint and/or killed are damaging to Guyana’s image. It will also hinder Guyana’s nascent ecotourism industry and deters foreign investment. Currently, residents in the hinterland/forest communities are being terrorized by the murderous, Venezuelan gang, ‘Sindicato’. Villagers, gold miners and business owners in Hosororo, White Water and communities in the Amakuru River, in Region One, and Arau, Mango Landing and surrounding Amerindian communities in Region Seven, have detailed ordeals of Venezuelan gang members crossing the border into Guyana unrestricted. They engage in shoot-outs, demand taxes, cash, gold, house hold items and store inventories, with impunity. The gang has ostensibly slaughtered several Guyanese miners working in border areas in Venezuela. In January, they reportedly beheaded a young Guyanese miner. The killing was photographed, videotaped and allegedly released on social media. To date, the Guyana government has not announced an investigation of these murders or warned Guyanese about the dangers of crossing the border. Residents report no increased security or capture of gang members to restore public safety. The borders remain

open, lawless and dangerous. In an interview with veteran Caribbean journalist, Tony Best, CGID President Rickford Burke, said crime fighting measures by the coalition government have been inadequate or ineffective. He added that for a government that is dominated by former security officials, its dismal record on security as well as the lack of accountability for the numerous public safety failures, is astounding and unfortunate. Burke said that “while the Guyanese society is advancing, the nation’s security infrastructure; including laws, assets, resources and the criminal justice system, remained relatively stagnant and antiquated.” He posited that “these are challenging times for Guyana. High levels of crime and the Venezuela border dispute pose significant threats to stability and national security. Simultaneous with these threats to national security is increased world focus on Guyana. Our international profile has been elevated because of imminent oil production. Hence, while the border issue is being addressed at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the government needs to aggressively tackle crime which has had a destabilizing effect.” “Apart from recruiting, training and

These are challenging times for Guyana. Guyana’s criminal codes has to be updated and exisitng penalties toughened...

deploying thousands more law enforcement and defense officers, the government also needs to acquire about 1000% additional security resources and assets. The national treasury cannot be the only funding source for such acquisitions. The government has to be able to mobilize resources from the international community and sympathetic countries. Our diplomats around the world should be tasked with this responsibility,” the CGID head said. He also called for Guyana’s criminal codes to be updated and existing penalties severely toughened to protect the nation from modern crimes and new criminal techniques. “Security services must dramatically increase patrols on the border and coastal waterways, as well as in the city and other population centers throughout the country. These and other measures will give citizens confidence that the government is competent and deserving of their support,” Burke asserted.l

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FAMILY MATTERS

DiNapoli: Fix Delays with Child Support Payments

ew York had the nation’s secondhighest balance of undistributed child support collections (UDC), totaling approximately $59 million at the end of federal fiscal year 2016, according to an audit released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Although the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), which oversees New York’s child support program, has made some improvements to the way funds are distributed, DiNapoli’s auditors identified a number of problems that need correcting. “Child support payments are languishing in government coffers. This is a persistent problem in New York that needs to be fixed,” said DiNapoli. “These delays hurt the families and children that need this money. It’s important for state officials to work closely with local social services districts to quickly resolve these issues.” OTDA is responsible for monitoring the efforts of 58 local social services district offices which collect and disburse child support funds. When funds have not been distributed for more than four months, the law requires districts to determine why and undertake “diligent efforts” to locate the payee (e.g., the custodial parent).

ing over UDC; and · Despite OTDA requirements, 26 districts had less than 20 percent of their UDC accounts properly coded as of Dec. 31, 2016. The codes indicate the reason why the funds cannot be disbursed and can be used to help monitor, assess, identify and process UDC later on.

When funds remain undistributed for two years or more, the district is required to report this to family court. If the court determines the district made appropriate efforts to locate the payee, it can order the money to be returned to the payer or deposited with the county treasurer or, in New York City, the Commissioner of Finance. Funds that remain with a County Treasurer or the Commissioner of Finance for more than three years, are required to be turned over as abandoned property to the Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds. As of Dec. 31, 2016, auditors found that approximately $6 million in child support collections had not been distributed by districts for three years or more, comprising 12 percent of the state’s total UDC. In the most egregious cases, auditors found that Nassau County had a 38year-old account, while Rockland and

Albany counties had accounts aged 37 years and 35 years, respectively. For a majority of districts (50 of 58), the average UDC account age was two years or less. For six districts (Erie, Hamilton, Nassau, Otsego, Yates, and Warren), the average age of a UDC account was three to four years, and in two districts (Albany and Oneida) accounts averaged five years. For the three-year period ended Dec. 31, 2016, only five counties – Nassau, New York City, Oneida, Suffolk, and Wyoming – turned over UDC to the Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds, as required.

The audit revealed: · Although OTDA tracks the overall age of UDC accounts by county, the office provides little guidance to aid districts in establishing processes for properly turn-

DiNapoli’s audit commended OTDA for improvements made to its child support distribution processes at the state and local levels, including increasing electronically disbursed payments via direct deposit and debit cards. Disbursing funds electronically lessens the likelihood that funds will be returned due to an outdated address or stale-dated check. Currently, 95 percent of payments are made electronically. Further, enhanced procedures have been implemented that require call center operators to verify addresses and immediately update case records with any changes. System enhancements have also been implemented to streamline and simplify the process of issuing refunds to noncustodial parents, and additional guidance has been distributed to districts to address specific issues, such as when a party related to a child support case is deceased.l

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Civil Rights ...Economic Opportunity/continued from page 4

time women, but only nine cents for women union members. African American workers in unions had median weekly earnings of $808, compared to nonunion African American workers’ weekly earnings of $646. According to the Department of Labor, almost a fifth of all working women in the United States work in the public sector. Public sector unions have been, and continue to be, a critical pathway to the middle class for women and people of color. The public sector opened its door to workers as racist and sexist barriers shut them out of good jobs. Once through that open door, millions of women and people of color found that being part of a union not only gave them a voice, but provided a fairer workplace that offered a clear pathway to the middle class. Union workers do not endure unfair scheduling, civil rights violations, gender discrimination in pay, and today’s racial and gender barriers alone. They face — and overcome — these struggles together. Public sector workers and their unions have also been allies in fights that have won important protections — on and off the job — for all workers. They were in the vanguard in the fight to pass the Affordable Care Act. Today, they are fighting for justice for the Dreamers and other immigrants. They are helping to lead the fight to guarantee a living wage

and important benefits like paid leave for everyone. It is not a coincidence that the wealthy and powerful interests on the other side of all of these fights want to weaken the ability of workers to stand up and speak up together. In the Janus case, and on so many other fronts, we are faced with a choice: a race to the bottom where the richest keep getting richer and the rest of us fall further behind, or a society that puts in place policies that work for all. It is clear which side public sector unions are on.l Seema Nanda is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and served as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Department of Labor Secretary Tom Perez in the Obama Administration.

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IN THE NEWS

Black Minds Matter Rally & March Unites/continued from page 1

VictoriaFalk, Vice President of AAICC, shares her experience of racism in NYC high school where she was told, regarding applying for college, “...send them a picture and let them see you're a poor black girl, somebody will feel sorry for you and let you in."

challenges of ignorance and racism, and a commitment to fight the school to prison pipeline. Rally participants included Malcolm Xavier Combs, who sought to have the name “Malcolm X” put on his senior sweater at Christ the King High School, Mercedes Liriano Clark, the Bronx school teacher at I.S 224 who was told by Principal Patricia Catania not to teach about the Harlem Renaissance during Black History Mmonth, Bertha Lewis, Founder and President of the Black Institute, and Akeem Browder, justice system reform advocate, President of the Kalief Browder Foundation, and brother of Kalief Browder, In his remarks, Senator Hamilton emphasized a collective, enduring commitment to black minds and education that he has worked with the community towards for years, including mentorship programs, advocacy with parent leaders, and partnerships with community organizations to support education. NYS Senator Jesse Hamilton quote: "Laws that make a meaningful difference in the lives of New Yorkers are my guideposts. These laws mean New York no longer routinely treats children as adults in our justice system, they mean higher pay and better workplaces, and they mean the uplift of New Yorkers' dignity and well-being. Our Black Minds Matter rally is one part of this broader effort to advance inclusion of all New Yorkers. Alongside my colleagues, I will continue to focus on delivering results that mean

more and more New Yorkers are able to participate fully in the civic life, cultural life, and economic life of our dynamic state." Senator Hamilton added in a statement: “Black minds mattered to us yesterday. Black minds matter to us today. Black minds will matter to us tomorrow. Where were the newly woke people yesterday? Where were newly woke people when we sat in at the Department of Education to protest what they were doing to Medgar Evers College Prep? Where were the newly woke people when Rysheen Ervin was shot on September 21st, 2016, steps away from our first Campus meeting at Howard Houses? Where were they when we prayed for him? Where were they when we learned he passed away? Where will the newly woke people be tomorrow? Privilege is a form of discrimination that has an effect on our everyday lives. We shall not be moved. We will continue to stand together, in solidarity with our students, our young people, our educators, and we will continue to say Black Minds Matter. Wakanda Forever. Black Minds Matter.” Victoria Falk, CEO of Passionate Travel and Vice President of the African-American International Chamber of Commerce (AAICC), who attended the rally, shares her experience: “Yes, I too was affected by racism when I was in NYC high school. I'm 46-yearsold and I still remember Ms. Gold — the Guidance Counselor at Midwood High School who refused to help me submit my applications for college. She said, "Don't bother applying to college because you'll never get in. Maybe if you send them a picture and let them see you're a poor black girl, somebody will feel sorry for you and let you in." I was an honor student, with above 90 average, but she didn't think it was wise for me to apply for college. I applied to 5 colleges, got accepted to all 5 colleges. My first 4 years were a struggle because you could count the number of Black people on campus and I wasn't prepared to have to fight for the right to be in class. But I toughened up and finished my Master's Degree with 3.85 out of 4.0 possible GPA. That's not bad for a "poor black girl." Today, how many of our youth were not able to overcome racism, slipped through the cracks and are still suffering? Black minds and education matters. l

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MONEY MATTERS

Should You File for Social Security at Full Retirement Age?

BY MAURICE BACKMAN

hough your Social Security benefits are determined based on what you earned during your career, the age at which you first claim them can affect your ultimate payout. In fact, eligible recipients actually get an eight-year window to file for benefits that begins at age 62 and ends at age 70. (Technically, you don't have to enroll at 70, but there's no financial incentive not to.) Smack in the middle of that window is what's known as your full retirement age, or FRA, which is the age at which you're entitled to your full monthly benefit payments without a reduction. There's just one problem: Most Americans don't know their full retirement age. If you're one of them, here's a quick breakdown: Of course, you're not required to file for Social Security at full retirement age, so you may be wondering if that's the ideal time for you to start collecting those benefits. And the answer is: It depends. Reasons to file for benefits at full retirement age If you didn't save much for retirement during your working years and will come to

rely on Social Security to provide the bulk of your senior income, then it absolutely pays to wait until your FRA to file. Though you can claim benefits up to five years prior, doing so will reduce them by roughly 6.67% for the first three years you file early, and 5% per year thereafter. That means that if you're looking at an FRA of 67, filing at 62 will slash your payments by 30%. And if you don't have a healthy level of savings, that's not a cut you can afford to take. Another reason to file for benefits at your FRA is that Americans are living longer these days. One in four seniors will live past age 90, while one in 10 will live past 95. So even if you've saved nicely, you could wind up with a longer retirement on your hands than expected, and if that's the case, you don't want to lose out on Social Security income by filing ahead of schedule. Of course, one might make the argument that it's better to hold off on benefits past your FRA, because for each year you do, you'll boost your payments by 8% up until you hit 70. And while there's nothing wrong with this approach, it does mean losing out on that Social Security income when you're a bit younger, and are apt to

have just a bit more energy to enjoy it. If your savings are virtually non-existent, then it generally pays to eke out as much income from Social Security as possible. But if you have some savings, then you might do just fine filing at your FRA, collecting your monthly benefits in full, and getting access to that money with enough time to make the most of it.

Reasons not to file for benefits at full retirement age On the other hand, there are some scenarios in which it doesn't pay to claim Social Security at 66, 67, or somewhere in between. One such example is if your health is poor and you don't expect to live a very long life. That's because Social Security is designed to provide roughly the same lifetime payout regardless of when you first file, assuming you live an average life expectancy. The logic is that if you file early and reduce your payments, you'll compensate by collecting a larger number of payments in your lifetime. And on the flip side, if you wait until your FRA and receive fewer payments, you'll compensate by collecting more money each month. Generally speaking, however, it pays to

claim benefits as early as possible when your life expectancy doesn't look great. Usually, you'll come out ahead financially by getting at that money well before your FRA. Another reason not to file for Social Security at your FRA boils down to not actually needing the money, but rather, wanting the money sooner to enjoy retirement to the fullest. Notice how we touched on this point above, only in that scenario, we assumed your savings were OK but not great. When you're dealing with a modest nest egg, filing for benefits at your FRA is a reasonable middle ground. But if you have more than enough savings to cover your basic living costs in retirement, then you might choose to claim benefits ahead of your FRA and use them to travel or pursue hobbies when you're in your early 60s, as opposed to waiting until 66 or later. Ultimately, the decision to file for benefits at any age boils down to your needs and personal circumstances. That's why it pays to read up on Social Security before retirement draws near. The more you know about how the program works, the better equipped you'll be to make the most of it.l

Source: MSNâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;Money

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When It Comes to Immigration, America Has Amnesia/continued from page 1

countries, to his decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, to his insistence on erecting a border wall to divide America from Mexico, we are witnessing an escalating display of hatred for undocumented individuals and families. We have stopped seeing the faces of our immigrant brothers and sisters, and the stories behind their faces. Political rhetoric aside, the number of family-based immigrants admitted to the U.S. each year is not unchecked — it is limited by Congress. Due to congressional limits on migration, very rarely do family members who wish to come to the U.S. have the ability to simply apply for and receive a visa in a reasonable time period. Instead, families wait years and sometimes decades to be able to reunite with loved ones. The underdeveloped narrative in the migrant experience is that many migrants to the U.S. are seeking a better life for themselves and their families. The irony of all of this is that many Americans hold immigrants to a standard that we ourselves do not comply. Each of us, unless we are Native American, has someone in our bloodline who migrated to this country. The most immediate chapter of my own immigration story began just after World War I in County Kerry, Ireland, when Molly

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Sullivan, a courageous 17-year-old girl and, eventually, my paternal grandmother, traveled to Boston longing for a better life. When my father and uncles offered to pay her way back to Ireland, I’m told she said, “All I knew there was poverty; you go back.” While my grandmother’s story is special to my family, it is not vastly different from the countless immigration stories of people coming from Ireland, Poland and Italy in the past, or those arriving from Mexico, India and the Philippines today. For the overwhelming majority of us, this is how we became Americans — our families sought a better life and that life brought us to this country. That’s why it pains me to see the acrimonious debate involving undocumented youth. They were brought to this country as children, and now they’re being forced to leave to score political points. We use the broad category of “Dreamers,” but we should remove the statistics and highlight the faces and sto-

ries of those impacted by what can be perceived as open season on immigrants. We’re at a crucial point. The March 5 end of DACA is just days away. As undocumented youth ponder their fate, they are being portrayed in the media as pawns in a larger game. Elected officials and some in the media throw around new phrases to describe Dreamers such as “chain migration.” There is nothing more harmful or hurtful to describe the human migration experience and its importance to society than to use a term such as “chain migration.” It is clear we’re a country that refuses to look at our own immigrant experience. But as a leader within the Catholic church, I am compelled to speak up. There is a strong tradition in the social teaching of our church on the fundamental value and inherent rights of the family. Our vocal support of immigrants is rooted in our principles and in our history in this country. We welcome immigrant families not because their faith is our faith — we’ll go to the mat for immigrants from Muslim, Hindu or any other faith tradition being persecuted — but because it’s the right thing to do. And when I think about right and wrong, I think about my family. I’m the

IMMIGRATION

eldest of 13 siblings. My dad taught me to protect my sisters and brothers from bullies, and I took his admonition to heart. In the same way that I would protect my brothers and sisters from those seeking to harm them, I am committed to protecting those whom some in our society seek to reduce to mere “deportable” statistics. For members of Congress who follow the Judeo-Christian tradition, I remind them of the millennial prohibition against persecuting the stranger as well as the fact that Jesus and his family were refugees. While I don’t recall Jesus chastising people for overtly persecuting the poor, he did condemn the failure to see the poor for who they really are and for failing to see the fullness of their circumstances. My message to Congress and Americans who have forgotten their own immigrant story is simple: Look again and truly “see” Dreamers, and then act in the best traditions of our history and of our faith.l Cardinal Joseph William Tobin is the Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey. Article originally appeared on The HIll. Reprinted with kind permission from the author. The Bible teaches to be kind to immigrants. To read the full report, visit www.ijlef.org.

Bills Introduced in Both Chambers Provide Common Sense Solution for Dreamers

BY JOSHUA BREISBLATT

enators John McCain (R-AZ) and Christopher Coons (D-DE) introduced the United and Securing America (U.S.A) Act in the Senate recently, which includes a permanent solution for Dreamers as well as border security measures. While the recently released White House immigration framework has not enjoyed bipartisan support, versions of this bill in the House of Representatives and Senate have backing from both Democrats and Republicans. This indicates that a narrower approach has the best chance at passage. The timing of this bipartisan legislation is significant, as it may represent the first real effort by Senate Republicans to bring an immigration bill to the floor to save Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients after their promise to do so during last month’s government shutdown. In exchange for ending the government shutdown in January, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) promised he would bring an immigration bill to the floor that “would address DACA and border security, as well as other

related issues.” However, McConnell has not indicated which bill he will bring to the floor. The White House urged Senator McConnell to turn their immigration framework into legislation, but that proposal has the support of few Republicans. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly said he “doubts” President Trump will extend the March 5 deadline set after the DACA termination, underscoring the

need for an immediate solution. The U.S.A. Act would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented youth who were brought to this country before the age of 18. Other requirements for Dreamers would include arrival to the United States before January 1, 2014, passing a background check, and meeting certain educational requirements. On border security, the bill takes a more strategic approach than its partisan counterparts, requiring a comprehensive border strategy be in place by 2020. The bill would also increase the number of immigration judges and provide funding to countries in Central America to help them counteract the violence that has led so many families and children to flee in recent years. A version of this bill was also introduced in the House last month by Representatives Pete Aguilar (D-CA) and WIll Hurd (R-TX) with 50 co-sponsors, evenly split among Democrats and Republicans. The president’s immigration framework that drastically reshapes our immigration system, does not have the support of Congress—however, a bill that focuses on protecting Dreamers and strategic border security does.l

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IMMIGRATION

Lawsuit Asks Government to Stop Blocking Temporary Protected Status Holders from Applying for Green Cards

BY KRISTIN MACLEOD-BALL

emporary Protected Status (TPS) is an important humanitarian protection for people who are in the United States when certain natural disasters or civil conflict strike their home countries, making it unsafe for them to return. Despite the fact that conditions in many of these countries have not improved since their nationals received TPS, the Trump administration recently announced that it is ending protection for several countries. If the people who lose TPS are deported, this could ultimately force hundreds of thousands of people to return to destabilized countries. A new lawsuit, however, could help some TPS holders who have especially strong connections to the United States qualify for permanent legal status in this country. Given the administration’s decision to terminate these protections, it is especially important that TPS holders have a fair opportunity to apply for another type of legal immigration status if they are eligible. The lawsuit asks the court to stop immigration officials from denying TPS hold-

ers’ applications based on a faulty interpretation of the law and was filed as a class action in New York. The plaintiffs are TPS holders who have applied to be lawful permanent residents based on close family relationships or their employment. They are represented by the American Immigration Council and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. When an immigrant applies to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States, he or she must meet a wide and rigorous set of eligibility crite-

ria. One requirement is that the immigrant show that he or she has been “admitted and inspected” into the United States—essentially, that immigration officials reviewed and agreed to an immigrant’s request to be in the United States. As several courts have recognized, getting TPS counts as an admission and inspection under the immigration laws. However, in most parts of the country, immigration officials still refuse to acknowledge that TPS counts as the type of admission that allows someone to

apply to become a lawful permanent resident. The new lawsuit challenges the immigration officials’ unlawful policy. It is increasingly urgent that courts fix this problem and make sure that TPS holders who are eligible get a fair shot at applying for a more secure, permanent immigration status. President Trump’s disdain for the TPS program is well documented. His administration has already decided to end TPS for people from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan, and decisions about whether to end TPS for several other countries are coming in the next few months. Tens of thousands of TPS holders are left in limbo and at risk of deportation once protection for their home countries ends. Deporting people who have long held TPS to still turbulent countries would be a disaster, not only for TPS holders themselves, but also for the U.S. communities where they have lived and thrived for years, and so we urgently need action to protect long-term TPS holders. This lawsuit is a first step to ensuring that some of those put at risk get a fair opportunity to apply to stay in the United States.l

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CAREER SUCCESS

Get Ready to Become a Paralegal

legal services. Since hourly rates charged by attorneys are typically double or triple the rates of paralegals for the same task, law firm economics mandates the increased use of paralegals to minimize costs. As a result, a paralegal career is one of the hottest non-lawyer jobs in the legal industry.

here are many reasons why a paralegal career is an excellent choice. A paralegal job provides an opportunity to work in the legal field without spending several years in law school. If you thought paralegals only worked in law offices, think again. The skills you learn in paralegal training are transferable to other business environments. With the right skills, you would be able to work in a number of industries, including law firms, financial offices, law libraries, and state, local and federal governments. Here are 5 great things about being a paralegal:

1. Rise in Pay Paralegal compensation has risen steadily in the past decade, despite a bump in the road in the depths of the 2009-2010 recession. As paralegals perform a broader and more complex range of tasks (paralegals even represent clients in court in certain countries and administrative tribunals), paralegal earnings continue to rise. The average paralegal salary hovers at around $50,000 per year but paralegals often make more through bonuses. Overtime hours can also add significant cash to a paralegal's paycheck.

3. Easy Career Entry Unlike lawyers who must complete seven years of formal education and pass the bar exam to practice law, you can become a paralegal in as little as a few months of study.

2. Explosive Employment Outlook The paralegal field is one of the fastestgrowing professions on the globe. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the employment of paralegals and legal assistants to grow 28 percent between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Among the factors driving this growth is client demand for more affordable and more efficient delivery of

4. Intellectual Challenge Paralegal work is intellectually challenging and involves a range of high-level skills. The most successful paralegals are problem-solvers and innovative thinkers. Paralegals must become subject matter experts in their specialty area and master legal procedure, research, drafting and other skills. They must stay on top of ever-changing laws and new legal trends and developments while interfacing with attorneys, opposing counsel, vendors, staff members, clients and others. The work is varied and each day brings new challenges.

5. Rising Prestige As paralegals perform more complex and challenging work, paralegal prestige is rising. Paralegals are no longer simply lawyer's assistants; they are assuming management roles in corporations, leadership roles in law firms and entrepreneurial roles in independent paralegal businesses. Over the years, paralegals have transcended the image of glorified legal secretary to become respected members of the legal team.

Ready to Become a Paralegal? So what do you think? Does a paralegal career sound like it’s for you? If you want to get started on the path to success as a paralegal, the New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) can help. We go beyond teaching you about becoming a paralegal, we teach you how to be your own boss with our Small Business Boot Camp: Start Your Own Virtual Paralegal Business. Come and learn about our FREE Paralegal Program. Visit www.freeparalegal.org to register for our next Orientation & Career Success Seminar. We are located at 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Downtown Brooklyn. Call us at 718-722-9217. l

Join the fastest growing career field! Become a Paralegal!

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NEWS 13

NEWS

nHEALTH

nENTERTAINMENT

nRELATIONSHIPS

nRECIPES

nSPORTS

nDINING

Black Panther Is the Superhero – and Heroines – We Deserve

BY MARC H. MORIAL

s long as there have been movies, there have been movie From Douglas heroes. Fairbanks’ swashbuckling heroes like Zorro and Robin Hood in the 1920s, to Luke Skywalker in the 1970s to Harry Potter in the 2000s, the movies have always provided inspiration and role models for young people and a source for fantasy and imagination. Most of these figures, as one might expect, have been white and male.That is why the blockbuster superhero film Black Panther, is such a significant milestone. Few films have been more joyously anticipated, with advance ticket sales breaking records. The character, created for Marvel Comics by Stan Lee in 1966, already had generations of fans. Its A-list cast and crew include a number of Academy Award and Golden Globe winners and nominees. Setting aside its cultural impact, Black Panther has been hailed as one of the best-acted, bestdirected, best-created superhero movies of all time. But let us not set aside its cultural impact. Representation of women and people of color in film also has been an issue as long as there have been films. Actor and playwright Dylan Marron a few years ago introduced a web series entitled, “Every Single Word,” which highlights the shockingly small amount of dialogue spoken by actors of color in

mainstream films. The entire Harry Potter series – more than 1,200 minutes of film – includes precisely 5 minutes and 40 seconds of what Marron calls, “POC talk time.” In 2015 and 2016, we took the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to task for the woeful lack of diversity among Oscar nominees. Too often, even when women and people of color do have significant roles in film, negative stereotypes are reinforced. The Bechdel Test, named for cartoonist Allison Bechdel who popularized it, determines whether a work of fiction features at least two women-characters who speak to each other about something other than a man. Only half of all films pass this test. Screenwriter and novelist Nikesh Shukla proposed the Shukla Test, which determines that "two ethnic

minorities talk to each other for more than five minutes about something other than race," and New York Times critic Manola Dargis devised a variation, the DuVernay test — named for AfricanAmerican film director Ava DuVernay — that asks whether "AfricanAmericans and other minorities have fully realized lives rather than serve as scenery in white stories.” Black Panther doesn’t just pass these tests, it shatters the very precepts on which they rest. The significance of a powerful, intelligent, wealthy and resourceful Black hero cannot be overstated. The women of Wakanda, Black Panther’s fictional African kingdom, are the true force behind the throne, and are as complex, varied and layered as white male characters usually are given the

Guyana-born British actress Letitia Wright as Shuri in the Black Panther.

freedom to be. When the first Black actress to win an Academy Award, Hattie McDaniel, faced criticism in the 1940s for accepting roles that reinforced negative stereotypes, she retorted, “"Why should I complain about making $700 a week playing a maid? If I didn't, I'd be making $7 a week being one." Thankfully, the world of Wakanda is light-years from the plantations where McDaniels’ “Mammy” character bowed and scraped to Scarlett O’Hara. I’m thankful that our children have the opportunity to see themselves on screen as kings and queens, warriors, scientists, artists and most importantly, the heroes of their own stories.l

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KITCHEN CORNER

Mahi Mahi with Coconut Rice and Mango Salsa

"A Caribbean-inspired dish with dimensions of sweet, spice and tanginess. Delicious!" —SYRAH4689, Allrecipes.com

Ingredients •2 tablespoons olive oil •1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce •2 teaspoons lemon juice •1 clove garlic, crushed •2 teaspoons red pepper flakes •1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper •1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root •2 tablespoons chopped green onion (optional) •salt to taste •4 (4 ounce) mahi mahi fillets •2 cups uncooked jasmine rice •2 cups water •1 cube chicken bouillon •1 tablespoon butter (optional) •3/4 (14 ounce) can coconut milk •2 tablespoons white sugar •1 1/2 teaspoons butter •1 1/2 tablespoons white sugar •1 1/2 cups fresh mango, cubed

Directions 1.Whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, red pepper flakes, black pepper, ginger, green onion, and salt in a bowl. Add the mahi mahi and toss to evenly coat.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

2.Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack in the middle of the oven.

3. Bring the rice, water, chicken bouillon, and 1 tablespoon butter to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes. Pour in the coconut milk and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Stir, and simmer uncovered until the rice has absorbed most of the coconut milk.

4.While the rice is cooking, remove the mahi mahi from the marinade, and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade. Place fish in a large baking dish in a single layer. Broil in the preheated oven until the fish flakes easily with a fork, 10 to 15 minutes. If the fish browns too quickly, cover the baking dish with a sheet of aluminum foil.

5. Melt 1 1/2 teaspoons butter and 1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the mixture begins to bubble, stir in mango cubes. Cook and stir until mango is tender, about 5 minutes. Serve by placing a mahi mahi fillet over a scoop of hot rice and top with the mango salsa.l Tip: Aluminum foil helps keep food moist, ensures it cooks evenly, keeps leftovers fresh, and makes clean-up easy.

Nutrition Facts: Per Serving: 808 calories; 28.9 g fat; 107 g carbohydrates; 30.9 g protein; 94 mg cholesterol; 549 mg sodium.

•Prep 30 minutes •Cook 30 minutes •Ready in 2 hours

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HEALTH MATTERS

Psychology Test Used to Diagnose Depression May Not Work on Blacks

new study has discovered that the test generally used to evaluate a person's mental state may not be as accurate in diagnosing depression in black people compared to whites. The study from University of Chicago Press suggests that the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the conventional depression screening scale, may not be applicable to black people. While the signs and symptoms used is an effective scale for white people, the study shows that it may not work the same for black people. The researchers found that the primary reason may be that depression between white and black people are caused by entirely different factors. According to Tonic, the test asks people to rate how much they relate to feelings such as "I felt fearful" and "I had crying spells" which are patterned only from depression symptoms found in white people. However, most of the reported depression of black people come from physical or interpersonal symptoms instead of feelings. It was also found that aside from the difference between races, socio-economic status might also have a different

effect on mental health. Moreover, the historical adversity experienced by black people such as slavery and discrimination still has an effect today. It means that people who are experiencing poverty and homelessness might have higher risks of poor mental health. This is an important issue since it has been reported that black people are 20% more likely to experience serious psychological distress than whites. According to Mental Health America, about 6.4 million black Americans were diagnosed with depression in 2014. That's besides those who are left undiagnosed because of the disparities in the depression scale. Furthermore, the study suggests that due to the various signs and symptoms among demographic groups, doctors "should assess the unique expression of depression among black youth when developing treatment plans." According to the National Institute if Mental Health, depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating or working. To be diagnosed with

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depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances, such as: Persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia) is a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms, but symptoms must last for two years to be considered persistent depressive disorder. Perinatal depression is much more serious than the “baby blues” (relatively mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that typically clear within two weeks after delivery) that many women experience after giving birth. Women with perinatal depression experience full-blown major depression during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression). The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety and exhaustion that accompany perinatal depression may make it difficult for these new mothers to complete daily care activities for themselves and/or for their babies. Psychotic depression occurs when a person has severe depression plus some

form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false fixed beliefs (delusions) or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations). The psychotic symptoms typically have a depressive “theme,” such as delusions of guilt, poverty or illness. Seasonal affective disorder is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. This depression generally lifts during spring and summer. Winter depression, typically accompanied by social withdrawal, increased sleep and weight gain, predictably returns every year in seasonal affective disorder. Bipolar disorder is different from depression, but it is included in this list because someone with bipolar disorder experiences episodes of extremely low moods that meet the criteria for major depression (called “bipolar depression”). But a person with bipolar disorder also experiences extreme high – euphoric or irritable – moods called “mania” or a less severe form called “hypomania.”l Some information for this article was obtained from the Minority/Black Health Blog.

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AgeWell New York, LLC is a HMO plan with Medicare and Medicaid contracts. Enrollment in AgeWell New York, LLC depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Premiums, copays, co-insurance and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details. AgeWell New York complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. AgeWell New York complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. AgeWell New York cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. AgeWell New York 遵守適用的聯邦民權法律規定，不因種族、膚色、民族血統、年齡、殘障或別而視任何人。ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-866-586-8044 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220). ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-866-586-8044 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220). 注意：如果使用繁體中文，可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-866-586-8044 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220). ) @14UPPQ "DDFQUFE VISIT WWW.CAWNYC.COM FOR THE LATEST CARIBBEAN NEWS, IMMIGRATION UPDATES, VIEWPOINTS, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE!

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

Four Divorce Predictions & Their Antidotes

BY JACQUELINE WIELICK

fter over 40 years of research, Dr. John Gottman has seen four main predictors of divorce and unhappy relationships. Divorce or separation doesn’t come without warning. You or your partner isn’t going to go to sleep completely happy with your relationship and then wake up the next morning and think “never mind” for no reason. So what should you be looking out for? Criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling.

Criticism This is a very common horsemen that can show up in all relationships. Typically, it comes from a place of the speaker just wanting to be seen and heard in their pain and their perspective on an issue. Criticism is stating a complaint as a flaw in your partner’s personality, issuing blame or a global statement. It typically starts with the word “YOU.” This can look like “You are so lazy, you never do the dishes when I ask you to.” When people hear criticism, they turn off actually hearing the message underneath it, and typically go to defensiveness— making it so their partners won’t be heard.

Criticism Antidote Try to use a complaint instead. Complaints are about one’s own experience, and the specific action they feel upset about. For the most effective complaint, start with an “I” statement to state your specific feelings. Then state the specific situation. Finally, state the positive need that you have. A positive need is what you do want, rather than what you don’t want. This can look like: “I feel frustrated when I come home from work and see the sink full of dishes. Can you please do the dishes on the nights I work late?” Return the sentiment. Ask your partner if there is something you can do on their difficult days that would make their day easier. Although in the moment it can be hard, using this format helps the listener actually hear their partners important feelings and needs.

Contempt Contempt was found in the research to be the most destructive of all. When we make a critical statement that comes from a place of “I’m better/ smarter/ kinder than you are,” it is contempt. It

can take on forms such as mimicking, name calling, sarcasm, ridicule, as well as eye rolls and other non-verbals. Although very destructive, people who use contempt are trying to be seen and heard by their partners in their pain and perspective. It can look like, “Oh really? You are ‘too busy’ laying on the couch to do the dishes?” Contempt is so toxic that it actually wreaks havoc on our bodies and leaves recipients more susceptible to infectious diseases, like colds and flus. Hearing contempt typically makes people feel very attacked. This leaves them unable to listen to the important message their partners are trying to communicatewhich escalates the argument.

Contempt Antidote Contempt usually arises when the friendship in the relationship is deteriorating, and partners feel unseen and unappreciated. Creating a culture of fondness and admiration in the relationship will work to mitigate this. This can include giving affirmations, appreciations, asking open ended questions, creating rituals together, and overall treating each other with respect. Try to look for what your partner is doing right instead of what they are doing wrong—and tell them this. Think of how nice it feels when your partner tells you how funny/smart/creative/etc. you are. They feel the same when you say those nice things to them. It creates a more positive and supportive atmosphere for your relationship. Getting in the habit of describing your own feelings and positive needs will help with this too. Once friendship and appreciation becomes a part of the culture within the relationship, contempt will have a harder time sneaking in.

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Defensiveness Defensiveness is usually an attempt for people to protect themselves or to ward off a perceived attack, and so it understandably tends follow after criticism and contempt. Defensiveness can take the forms of a counterattack (“YOU didn’t do the dishes either!”) or whining. Language such as “But,” “no,” and “at least,” signal defensiveness to the listener. Defensiveness is really a form of blame, and ends up escalating conflict discussions because partners who receive defensiveness continue to feel unheard. If the relationship is in a very negative place, people will hear criticism all the time, even if it’s not being spoken—and act with defensiveness accordingly.

Defensiveness Antidote Accepting responsibility for at least some part of the problem is the antidote to defensiveness. Each person in an argument has a valid perception and reality. Even though it can feel tough to do in the heat of the moment, signal to your partner that you hear their pain and frustration. Take some responsibility for your part. These will work wonders to deescalate the conflict. Language such as, “I could see why you would feel that way,” will validate your partner. Responding with, “You’re right, I didn’t do the dishes tonight,” shows you taking responsibility. Phrases like, “I didn’t know that X made you feel that way, I’ll work on that,” help your partner feel heard. Stonewalling Stonewalling is aptly named because this is what it can feel like to partners – an impenetrable stone wall. This shutting

down, withdrawing or checking out typically happens when criticism, contempt, and defensiveness have become too overwhelming and painful. Withdrawing from the interaction feels like a form of self protection. When overwhelmed by the criticisms or contempt, your heart rate will increase and you will feel anxious. This is the greatest predictor of stonewalling. This is when our body turns on fight-or-flight mode, which makes complex problem solving and listening impossible. Our bodies can’t process social interactions like they normally can. Partners on the other side of the stone wall typically feel very alone and unheard in the interaction, which can continue to escalate the conflict.

Stonewalling Antidote Self-soothing, such as guided relaxation and breathing exercises, is the antidote to stonewalling. This will work to get your heart rate back down so you are able to stay connected in the conversation. We want you to experience your partner as a source of warmth and comfort. Take a 20-minute break from the conflict to selfsooth. This will help both partners deescalate so that you both can listen and understand each other in the conversation. The key here is to respect your partner’s need for the break, and for both people to promise to return to the discussion after. Try not to ruminate about the interaction during the break, or else it will be hard to cool off. After taking some time to self-soothe, both partners can come together and try the conversation again in a calmer, empathetic and more creative way.

Criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling show up and work to keep the negative cycles in your relationship going. Every couple will fall into negative cycles every now and then, but it’s being able to identify and rectify those cycles that is key to a lasting and happy relationship.

Jacqueline Wielick, MFTI, #IMF100541 has worked at The Gottman Institute in Couples Services for four years, where she received significant exposure, training and understanding of Gottman Method Couples Therapy. She also received training in Couples in Addiction Recovery.

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CONVERSATIONS

Opioids, Your Doctor, Pharmaceutical Companies, Drug Addiction & Fatalities: The Unhealthy Connection

BY MARILYN SILVERMAN

our alarm clock reverberates in your bedroom; you’re ready to start your day. But you’re experiencing excruciating pain. Your first instinct: go straight to your doctor who will whip out her ever-present prescription pad. But unbeknownst to you, she has unintentionally transformed you into a drug addict or tragic victim of an accidental fatal overdose of opioids with such recognizable names as methodone and oxycodone. So evidently you can become an addict, not from the streets from a brief encounter with a drug dealer who negotiates a financial transaction in an alley all the while looking over his shoulder for cops ready to pounce on him and handcuff him and toss him into his patrol car. The names of the gargantuan number of people like you and me donot get splashed across newspaper headlines; that is reserved only for the celebrities like its latest victim, Tom Petty, the rock superstar who just succumbed to an accidental overdose of fentanyl for treatment of his emphysema and fractured hip.

Dr. Gary M. Franklin

During an interview with Dr. Gary M. Franklin, who is recognized in the workers compensation field for his pioneering and exemplary research and outspokenness on the over-prescription of opioids, told me, “These are very powerful…you take opioids for a while…you can be walking around looking pretty good… take a sleeping pill or a couple of drinks at night and go to sleep; you stop breath-

ing. Your wife might find you dead in bed in the morning.” Your husband a corpse due to your good-intentioned family doctor’s prescription, a doctor who has treated your family for generations. Dr. Franklin is a Research Professor, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Department of Medicine and Adjunct Research Professor, Department of Health Sciences, University of Washington and Medical Director, Washington State Department of Labor. In a nutshell, doctors are prescribing opioids for their patients because they believe pharmaceutical companies’ “ads where they had doctors in televised ads or online telling doctors it was safe to use opioids and that the risk of addiction was extremely low. So if doctors thought they could use a painkiller to help someone’s pain and not make them addicts, of course they might be attracted to do so… they convinced doctors it was safe to use opioids but it wasn’t…we reviewed every death that was reported from the Department of Health. We matched up all of the deaths recorded in our injured worker population and were able to identify every single death that occurred [that were all attributable to opioids].” Here are some disturbing statistics: Centers for Disease Control (CDC): 14,800 Americans fatally overdosed in 2014, and let me insert the key word accidental; these were not suicides; these people did not want to die. Bio IQ: 19912009, the number of opioid prescriptions soared by an astounding 300% and emergency rooms saw an influx of 1,000 patients per day for those misusing these drugs. Doctors are increasing their dosage levels because as per Dr. Franklin, these patients develop a degree of tolerance and so their bodies need higher dosages to be considered beneficial, i.e., to alleviate pain. The CDC advises you to establish a comfort level with your doctors and inquire about safer over-the-counter alternatives. Do not be intimidated by that white coat and stethoscope. The American Academy of Medicine said doctors should embark on a campaign of due diligence to find alternative drugs. Dr. Franklin said, “after a dental extraction there’s good randomized trial evidence that a combination of Tylenol [and other over-the-counter drugs] are good or better than opioids.” How could doctors, the product of respected medical institutions globally, be guilty of prescribing drugs that have such detrimental impacts on their patients? Weren’t they cognizant of their addictive and deadly properties before picking up that pen to write that prescription? “No, they didn’t because they were falsely …led to believe they were safe. These were false teachings.” The culprits are not just the pharmaceu-

tical companies. They knew of the risks; they just downplayed the risks in their aggressive marketing campaigns. The ugly specter of dollar signs enters the equation. This is certainly not a healthy partnership. But how could doctors possibly cast a suspicious eye on their peers who assured them of the safety of opioids? “You have to remember, it wasn’t just the pharmaceutical companies that were saying that. Medical leaders were getting money from the drug companies…the members of this class of medical leaders included other doctors, leading neurologists…who were taking money from drug companies.... Unfortunately, they trusted their peers. They believe that more patients could be helped with opioids but there is no evidence of that…The opioids are for back sprains...these are not catastrophic [conditions]….If you’re 17 and you have a knee sprain in a soccer game, you go to the emergency care center and they give you a prescription for opioids. They might give you 30 or 40 pills…the rest is laying in your medicine cabinet or used by that person for nonmedical use.” You are being issued a death certificate for a simple run-of-the-mill backache. Finally, at long last, the government is stepping into the picture; our tax dollars are paying off. The CDC issued “new opioid guidelines in 2016; that was very courageous for them to do.” Here’s a brief history of opioids. The decade of the 1990s was the milestone decade that witnessed a widespread use of these drugs. “For decades long -term use was prohibited but somehow in the 1990s…pharmaceutical companies managed to successfully lobby state legislatures to liberalize opioid use… and the regulations that passed in Washington in 1999, said that no doctor shall be sanctioned for any amount of opioids written…They hired surrogates to lobby legislatures; they said there’s always people suffering from pain; you have to comfort them. They weren’t saying that if they take opioids for a few weeks they may never come off it again…expert doctors were paid to give lectures and convince doctors that addiction was rare, less than 1% [but] addiction occurs in 20% of people taking it chronically… if you can take any doctor you might think of and see if they’re taking money from drug companies and go to a website, Dollars for Docs, run by a public interest journal… you can research any doctor to see how much money they’re taking from drug companies…some of these doctors can take hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.” At a meeting of the Canadian Medical Protection Association Dr. Franklin stated that “we are creating a lost generation of people whose lives are ruined by opioid use.”l

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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

I Was Injured at Work. What are My Legal Rights?

BY DAVID LANDERS

mployers in every state are required to provide to their employees a reasonably safe and healthy work environment. Sometimes employers fail to fulfill this duty, and employees are injured as a result. Occasionally, however, employees can still be injured on the job even when every effort has been made to make a workplace safe. These injuries may include everything from broken bones, aggravations of pre-existing conditions, occupational illnesses, even psychological injuries. Every state has some type of system that helps employees with workrelated injuries. In this article, we'll look at workers' rights when they are injured on the job.

If I Am Injured on the Job, How Can I Protect My Rights? The most important way, and also the easiest way, to protect your legal rights is to report your injury to your employer. Most states require that you report your injury within a certain period of time, typically the same day or within a few days of the incident. Depending on the circumstances of the injury, this may not always be possible, but it is important to report the injury as quickly as is practical.

The next step you can take to protect your rights is to file a claim with the workers' compensation court or industrial court in your state. Again, this puts your employer, the court and your employer’s insurance company on formal notice of your injury. Once your claim is filed, certain automatic protections are immediately put in place.

What Are My Rights? Workers' compensation laws vary widely from state to state. The rights afforded an injured employee vary widely as well, as do the different legal procedures that ensure those rights. Generally speaking, however, there are a number of legal rights that are common across most states: nyou have the right to file a claim for your injury or illness in workers’ compensation court or the state industrial court nyou have the right to see a doctor and to pursue medical treatment nif you are released to return to work by your physician, you have the right to return to your job nif you are unable to return to work because of your injury or illness, whether permanently or even temporarily, you have the right to some type of disability compensation

nif you disagree with any decision by your employer, the employer’s insurance company, or the workers' compensation court, you generally have the right to appeal that decision, and nyou have the right to be represented by a lawyer throughout the process.

In understanding your rights to act, as an employee it is just as important to understand your right to refuse certain requests or offers. For example, if you are injured and your employer encourages you to use your own health insurance to pay for your medical treatment, you have the right to say, “no.” And if your boss offers you some incentive in an attempt to persuade you against filing a workers compensation claim, this is illegal. You have the right to say, “no.” The laws in each state provide that you can pursue a workers' compensation claim without fear of reprisal or harassment from your employer. If your employer makes it difficult for you to freely exercise these rights, the penalties imposed upon the employer can be quite severe. It is illegal for your boss or supervisor to harass you at work or otherwise make it difficult for you to do your job, if your filing of a workers’ compensation claim is the motivation for that behavior.

What Are My Rights Against Parties Other Than My Employer? Sometimes your on-the-job injury might have been caused by the negligence of a third party. Depending on the circumstances, this other person or entity may be a designer or manufacturer of a defective piece of equipment or perhaps the driver of a delivery truck. If you are injured while at work due to the negligence of another party, you may have the right to bring a claim against that person or entity. These are known as “thirdparty claims.” Typically, these claims are not filed in the workers' compensation universe. Rather, they take the form of civil lawsuits and are filed in state or federal courts.. Civil lawsuits for work-related injuries can typically seek additional personal injury damages that are not recoverable in a workers' compensation claim. For example, the benefits you receive in a workers' compensation claim are typically intended to reimburse you for your medical expenses and lost wages —- you are usually not allowed to seek compensation for pain and suffering. In a thirdparty claim, you generally are allowed to seek compensation for pain and suffering, which is a category of "non-economic" damages.l

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