If your Independent Contractor is injured, will you have to pay their Medical costs?

Elliott Stapleton Contracts, Government Compliance

There are advantages to using independent contractors rather than employees. With those advantages comes the risk of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (“BWC”) reclassifying an individual as an employee. If an injured worker is determined to be an employee, the business owner becomes responsible for providing workers’ compensation coverage.[1] Failure to provide workers’ compensation coverage for the employee will result …

Five Questions to Ask Before Purchasing a Franchise in Ohio

Elliott Stapleton Contracts

  Starting a franchise can be both exciting and overwhelming. In the evaluation stage, you will receive a lot of information, interviewed by the franchisor (the company that sells the franchise to you) and presented with a very large packet of legal documents. This article covers the five questions to ask during your initial discussions with the franchisor. The answers to …

Six Essential Agreements Your Business Needs to Protect Its Intellectual Property

Elliott Stapleton Confidentiality and Nondisclosure Agreement, Contracts

Whether you’re a start-up business or an existing business, protecting your intellectual property is vital.  Intellectual property includes your trade secrets, customer lists, recipes, inventions, and much more.  If your business is not using all of the six agreements described below, your intellectual property may be at risk of exposure or theft. (1) Non-Disclosure and Trade Secret Protection Agreements This …

Does My Business Need a Work for Hire Agreement?

Elliott Stapleton Contracts, Copyright

The answer to this question is “Yes” if you want to own the work an independent contractor just created for your business without having to obtain the contractor’s permission and pay him or her royalties.  Typically, any work created by an independent contractor is owned by the contractor unless a work for hire agreement is signed. What is a Work …

Franchise Agreement Review by an Ohio Attorney

Elliott Stapleton Contracts

Purchasing a franchise is a significant financial investment. With any significant investment, it is best to fully understand the terms, conditions, fees, and restrictions in the purchase. This evaluation includes review of the Franchise Agreement and the Franchise Disclosure Document (also known as the FDD) with an Ohio Attorney. Most Franchisors will even recommend review by a Franchise  Attorney. Click …

What types of contracts does an Ohio business need?

Elliott Stapleton Contracts

Well-drafted contracts protect your company in case of a dispute. Poorly drafted contract templates from the internet (or no contract at all) can seriously compromise the company’s interests. A business may need customized contracts which include: employment contracts, lease agreements, independent contractor agreements, consulting agreements, confidentiality agreements and covenants not to compete. Business owners should consult with an attorney to …

Create Customized Contract Templates For Your Business

Elliott Stapleton Contracts, Our Services

Why does a business need to customized its contracts? Since each type of business is unique,  the specific needs of every company cannot be addressed in one standard form. Using online forms or document companies such as Legalzoom results in a form that may not protect the interest of your company or conform with Ohio law. Why do I need …