IT’S IN THEIR BLOOD

Due to occupational exposures, firefighters have a 100% higher risk of developing cancer.  Firefighter cancer risks are greater than the general population. In a study released by the University of Cincinnati, it determined that firefighters are at a greater risk of developing four different types of cancer.¹  The report conducted by the university’s environmental health department found that firefighters are twice as likely to develop testicular cancer and have higher rates of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and prostate cancer.

It also highlighted the fact that firefighters are at a greater risk for multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow, a disease with no treatment or cure.

Grace LeMasters, PhD professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at UC, states “we believe there’s a direct correlation between the chemical exposures firefighters experience on the job and their increased risk for cancer.” She adds “firefighters work in an inherently dangerous occupation on a daily basis,” as public servants, they need—and deserve—additional protective measures that will ensure they aren’t at an increased cancer risk.”

Learn more here at firefighterfactsnj.org

O’Donnell’s TRAVELERS discount for FMBA members

Travelers insurance is offering up to a 5% for auto and 2.5% for HO discount for all FMBA members on their automobile or homeowner insurance policies. Also an average of 15% additional
credit if both policies are written as a package with Travelers.

Please contact John Griffith at the Elizabeth location for more information
and a free quote.

John is a member of Elizabeth Local 9

Elizabeth, NJ

277 North Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07208
908-352-2180 (phone)
908-3524724 (fax)

Office Hours: Monday through Friday – 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Closed Sunday

John Griffith

Vice president of O’Donnell Agency LLC and Griffith Brothers Inc., John is Licensed in Property & Casualty and Health Insurance for 15 years. John is also a seven year veteran of the Elizabeth Fire Department.  John is a Graduate of Roselle Catholic High School and St. Genevieve’s grammar school.

Hi my name is Maria Palermo and I’ve know the Griffith Family for many years.  I have come to respect their value in family and in the way they run their business.  A family run business that was handed down from Uncle O’Donnell to Mr. Griffith Sr., Uncle O’Donnell knew that they would continue to run this business as he did, one of his greatest goals was to keep a person to person customer service, none of this automated service was to take over the O’Donnell Agency.  To date they have been able to make him proud.
The O’Donnell Agency has had a long road traveled, as have I.  I came to work for the Griffith Family 11yrs ago.  At that time I was going threw a very difficult time in my life & family.  My second child was diagnosed with PDD-NOS which is on the Spectrum of Autism.  The Griffiths coming from such a family based background understood my situation, they were eager to help me accomplish my goal in being an employee and also the mom I needed to be for my son.  I could never thank them enough for this.
I am involved with a fantastic organization called Autism Speaks; they were very helpful & supportive in my time of need.  They have a walk every year at Nomahegan Park in Cranford, NJ to raise much needed funds for Awareness & Research  which the O’Donnell Agency “Griffith Family” would donate every year and they even sponsored me one year.
You can visit their web-page by logging onto www.AutismSpeaks.org.  You can also obtain some very valuable information from their webpage, it seems to be endless.  Our team name is “Simones Saviors” which was chosen by my two other children and approved by my son Simone–of course! We welcome you to create your own team, join a team or just make a donation….no amount is to small when you’re searching for a cure.  Please come visit us!
Lastly, I would like to just say that I am honored and stand proud to say “I am part of the O’D Family”.

Maria Palermo

mariapalermo@odonnellagency.com

(908) 272-3540 tel

(908) 272-6290 fax

Replacement Cost – The dollar value it costs to replace an item at current prices (no depreciation)

No Fault – Your own insurance company pays for medical bills even if it is the other drivers fault.

Liability Coverage – Pays claims against you + legal defense costs

PIP Coverage – Covers medical expenses for you or any member of your household if injured during an automobile accident.

Some workers’ compensation plans cover lost wages, or a percentage of lost wages, in addition to medical expenses. There may also be provisions for compensation for past or future economic loss, and dependents of a worker killed during employment may also be covered under the policy.

Damages for pain and suffering as well as punitive damages that would be charged due to employer negligence are usually not available in a standard workers’ compensation insurance policy.

Most workers’ compensation insurance plans have an established list of payouts for different types of injuries sustained while on the job. The payments, in most cases, are based on whether or not the injury will allow the worker to find other employment.

Depending on the size of the company and the work done, some companies may be required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance on behalf of their workers. In many states, there are funds set up for public uninsured employers to pay out benefits to injured workers employed by companies that illegally failed to purchase insurance.

Workers’ compensation policies are sold through commercial insurance companies. If the nature of the work or past claim history make the company an excessive risk to insure, a company can still obtain coverage through the state’s assigned-risk program.

While most states provide workers’ compensation insurance through private insurance companies, there are twelve states that operate state funds. A few states even have state-owned companies that run the workers’ compensation programs. State funds are often required to be assigned-risk carriers in order to not underprice or threaten the private companies that offer workers’ compensation insurance policies at market value.

There are attorneys who specialize in workers’ compensation claims in the event that an employer contests an employee’s claim for payment through the workers’ compensation policy. In many states, there are laws in place to ensure that the attorney fees can only be a certain percentage of the money awarded to the worker by a judge or other administrative agency overseeing such disputes.

Commercial insurance transfers many of the risks associated with that property. Common forms of commercial insurance are similar to types of personal insurance. These include auto insurance, property insurance and liability coverage. If you own and are involved in the day to day affairs of a business you need to make sure the business is protected and your assets are also protected.

Commercial vehicles require commercial insurance. Depending on what types of vehicles the business owns and how many vehicles they own, different types of policies are applicable. If a business owns many vehicles that are essential asset to the daily operation of the company, they will need fleet insurance. Companies that usually require fleet insurance include trucking and transport, taxi and limousine, as well as medical and ambulatory transport companies. An employer, whose employees drive company cars, and sometimes their own vehicle, can use commercial auto insurance to reduce the risk. This can include outside salespeople, executives or pizza delivery drivers. Most personal policies carried by individuals do not cover them when using their vehicle for work purposes, making it necessary for the employer to insure the driver and vehicle.

Businesses that rent, lease, or own property must protect their business from risks associated with the property. Much like commercial auto coverage, commercial property insurance resembles homeowners’ coverage but provides coverage focused on the needs of businesses. If a business is affected by storm damage, fire or water, losses can quickly mount and commercial property insurance protects against this risk. Property insurance protects the owner’s building, outdoor signs, furniture and equipment, inventory, fencing, landscaping, and others’ property. If a business is renting or leasing space property insurance is also available to protect the businesses assets. For example, rental property insurance protects the company’s physical assets against the risks of fire, water or storm damage.

Liability protection protects the company against the negligent behavior of an employee or damages caused by normal business operation. Liability protection covers medical expenses, attorney fees and damages when you are legally responsible. Commercial insurance companies offer liability protection for professional liability, fire liability, medical payments, premises liability, products and completed operations, employer’s liability, employee benefits liability and employment-related practices liability, and errors and omissions. Commercial insurance needs vary from business to business.

A person who takes home insurance is called the policy holder. The policy holder makes a legal contract with the insurance providing company. Earlier, in the USA, the policies used to differ a lot with different companies. But in 1950, a change was made. Today there is a standardization of policies and a homeowner has to buy a policy to cover all home insurance needs.

Before you sign any policy, get the home insurance explained to you by the insurance agent, in detail.

You must be aware of exactly what is included and what is excluded in the policy cover, to avoid surprises and disappointments, later on. Also check if there’s a provision for any extra endorsements or not. There is a term called ‘covered loss’ which refers to the loss which meets all of the requirements in the terms of the insurance policy.

The home insurance provides protection against fire, theft, thunderstorm, hailstorm, lightning, explosion, riots , building collapse, malicious mischief and other such natural as well as man-made disturbances. After you get the home insurance explained to you, you will know what to expect and the amount of premium expected of you. You should take quotes from different companies. Many have this free quote service on offered online as well. Use your knowledge and little research to get the best policy for your dear home.

It will vary depending on the state you live in. In most cases, if you provide proof of insurance at your court date, the ticket will be dropped or the fine greatly reduced. This is assuming this is a first offense. If you have been caught driving without insurance more than once, the fine will be higher, and you will have to get a SR-22 from an insurance company proving you have insurance. In most states, an SR-22 is in effect for 3 years and if you drop your insurance or miss a payment, the insurance company must notify the state. They will immediately suspend your license.