Washington Governor Signs Domestic Partnership Law
Legal News Feed
[##_1L|1376755909.jpg|width="100" height="112" alt=""|_##]Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed legislation Saturday recognizing domestic partnership status for same-sex couples. The law guarantees gay and lesbian couples some of the legal rights that previously were afforded only to husband and wife. To be considered a legally recognizable domestic partnership, couples must be over the age of 18, live together and not be in a domestic relationship with anyone else. The legislation also introduces a state wide domestic partnership registry and affords same-sex couples hospital visitation rights, inheritance rights, and the ability to authorize medical decisions for their partner. The registry will also include heterosexual couples with one partner over the age of 62. Many of these couples have been hesitant to marry because of the repercussions for their pension or social security benefits.
The Washington State Senate and House of Representatives approved the bill in March and early April respectively. Opponents of the measure claim it erodes the institution of marriage, but the bill's supporters stressed the importance of granting equal rights to same-sex couples. The bill is the latest step in Washington's pioneering stance on gay civil rights which includes a revision of the state's Civil Rights Act to include the phrase "sexual orientation" among the classes of people protected from discrimination in housing, lending, and employment.
Related listings
-
In Testimony, Gonzales Says Firings Were Justified
Legal News Feed 04/19/2007[##_1L|1085910982.jpg|width="140" height="112" alt=""|_##]U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is facing tough questions about his honesty and his competence from members of the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday. Gonzales defended his controversi...
-
Newt Gingrich says Alberto Gonzales should resign
Legal News Feed 04/09/2007[##_1L|1016863491.jpg|width="100" height="131" alt=""|_##]Former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Newt Gingrich said Sunday that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales should consider resigning in the wake of his role in the firings of eight US ...
-
Bush defends Gonzales' role in US Attorney firings
Legal News Feed 04/02/2007[##_1L|1233271637.gif|width="135" height="114" alt=""|_##]US President George W. Bush again defended US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales over his role in the firings of federal prosecutors in a press conference Saturday, saying that Gonzales has his...
Illinois Work Injury Lawyers – Krol, Bongiorno & Given, LTD.
Accidents in the workplace are often caused by unsafe work conditions arising from ignoring safety rules, overlooking maintenance or other negligence of those in management. While we are one of the largest firms in Illinois dedicated solely to the representation of injured workers, we pride ourselves on the personal, one-on-one approach we deliver to each client.
Work accidents can cause serious injuries and sometimes permanent damage. Some extremely serious work injuries can permanently hinder a person’s ability to get around and continue their daily duties. Factors that affect one’s quality of life such as place of work, relationships with friends and family, and social standing can all be taken away quickly by a work injury. Although, you may not be able to recover all of your losses, you may be entitled to compensation as a result of your work injury. Krol, Bongiorno & Given, LTD. provides informed advocacy in all kinds of workers’ compensation claims, including:
• Injuries to the back and neck, including severe spinal cord injuries
• Serious head injuries
• Heart problems resulting from workplace activities
• Injuries to the knees, elbows, shoulders and other joints
• Injuries caused by repetitive movements
For Illinois Workers’ Compensation claims, you will ALWAYS cheat yourself if you do not hire an experienced attorney. When you hire Krol, Bongiorno & Given, Ltd, you will have someone to guide you through the process, and when it is time to settle, we will add value to your case IN EXCESS of our fee. In the last few years, employers and insurance carriers have sought to advance the argument that when you settle a case without an attorney, your already low settlement should be further reduced by 20% so that you do not get a “windfall.” Representing yourself in Illinois is a lose-lose proposition.