Africa’s energy resources have the ability to create sources of economic growth. Creating beneficial deals have been difficult, until now.

Bree on November 27, 2019

Business deals with energy companies, associations, and beneficial investments are the wisest strategies to promote sustainability in global economies. Africa has begun to utilize their developmental resources.

The International Energy Agency (IEA)states that with the growing appetite for modern and efficient energy sources, Africa emerges as a major force in global oil and gas markets. In the natural gas markets, Africa is projected to see a substantial growth as it becomes one of the largest sources for global gas.  IEA Executive Director, Dr Fatih Birol gives her take on the importance of Africa’s energy.

 “How Africa meets the energy needs of a fast-growing and increasingly urban population is crucial for its economic and energy future – and the world.”

The commentary by Dr Faith Birol addresses the promising view of Africa’s resources and how they are valuable and substantial to Africa’s growth, as well as global economies.

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NJ Ayuk, the author of Billions at Play: The Future of African Energy and Doing Deals states that Africa has been an oil-market force for decades. In Africa, the oil and gas sector in Algeria is said to be the main foundation for the economy, it represents 20 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), and a sum of 85 percent in exports. Angola produces 50 per cent of the nation’s gross domestic product and around 89 per cent of exports from oil and related functions. Congo is a net exporter and producer of crude oil. 10 percent of (GDP) gross domestic product from Nigeria comes from the oil and gas market. Exports of petroleum produces an estimated 86 per cent of total exported revenue.

Presently, the largest refinery is located in Nigeria. Analysts predict that by 2022—650, 000 barrels of crude oil should be produced by the day. The refinery has created thousands of jobs, with hundreds of technicians and engineers from Nigeria studying in different countries on how to manage it.

More oil and gas representatives have come forth but oil and gas lawyer, NJ Ayuk remembers the need for African representatives early on in his career.

“Africans were not part of any kind of deal-making structure: When negotiations involving foreign investors’ oil and gas exploration, production, and revenue-sharing took place, Africans were not at the table—or even in the room.”

But now, as news spreads about Africa’s impact on the oil and gas sectors, African oil and gas representatives and investors may finally begin to make better deals. Africa Oil Week has reported Africa’s deals with oil investments, and billions of dollars will be invested towards the development of continental hydrocarbons. Five specific regions that are located in Nigeria, Mozambique, Egypt, Mauritania, and Equatorial Guinea have been named the hot spots in oil and gas development and investment. BP, Noble Energy and other oil and gas companies from around the world have expressed an interest in the natural resource hot spots located in Africa.

How VA Disability Benefits Work

Staff on November 4, 2019

Veterans of the armed forces of the United States who suffer injuries or disabilities that were the result of, or were aggravated, by active service, may be eligible for a wide range of disability benefits. These benefits are processed and handed out by the Department of Veterans Affairs, commonly known as the VA.

After filing for VA disability benefits, the VA evaluates claims made by injured or disabled vets in order to determine whether or not an individual qualifies for the benefits they want to claim. Upon review of the medical and personal history of the vet in question, the VA assigns the vet a disability rating, which is a percentage between 10 and 100. This rating is essentially the VA’s assessment of how serious the vet’s injuries or disabilities are and it is used as a measure of the extent that the vet does or will likely suffer an inability to work. Based on this disability rating, the VA will decide which benefits of many the vet is entitled to and the compensation rates that are to be used for the specific case of the vet in question.

Types of Benefits

There are many different benefits that the VA provides injured or disabled vets with, including all of the following:

  • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit that is usually paid to the surviving spouse, child, or parent of service members who died during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training. It is also paid to eligible surviving family members of vets who died from service-related disabilities.
  • Special Monthly Compensation: SMC is a tax-free benefit that can be given to a vet or their eligible family members based on special circumstances, such as a need for special aid or the loss of a limb.
  • Other Benefits: Other benefits such as subsidized housing, insurance benefits, housing grants, mortgages, and life insurance are also provided by the VA to eligible vets.

Maintaining Eligibility For Benefits

The VA may require eligible vets to undergo certain tests or re-evaluations or provide specific types of documentation or proof to establish eligibility for the continued receipt of benefits.

For example, the VA may require a vet to undergo a medical exam anywhere between two and five years after winning an initial benefit claim, just to make sure that the medical condition or disability for which the initial benefit was awarded still exists and still impacts the vet’s life as much as it did when the benefit was first awarded.

If upon reexamination it is found that the disability has either disappeared, improved, or worsened, the VA can then reevaluate the disability rating that the vet was assigned, and his or her payouts would then increase or decrease accordingly. It is important to seek assistance from disability lawyers specializing in disability cases to make sure that the appeal is handled correctly.

Filing Claims and Establishing Eligibility for Benefits

To find out more about whether or not you are eligible for disability benefits, to file a claim for benefits, to appeal a denied claim, or for help with gathering the documentation needed to prove a claim, speak with a lawyer. An experienced lawyer that specializes in veteran disability cases can help you file a claim and fight for the benefits that you are rightfully owed.

What Does an Exhaust Fan Do?

Staff on October 30, 2019

Exhaust fans are found in every newly constructed home. They help maintain ideal temperature and air quality and are an important part of the ventilation of the home.

What is the purpose of an exhaust fan?

The purpose of an exhaust fan is to pull the excess moisture and other air particles out of a room. They are commonly installed in bathrooms and kitchens, where moisture and odors are most prevalent.

How does an exhaust fan work?

Like a traditional fan, an exhaust fan pulls moisture and air particles up and out of the home, venting to the outdoors. It is run by a motor and has blades that turn to move the air out of the room.

Why are exhaust fans beneficial?

Exhaust fans are beneficial for a number of reasons. These include:

  • Removing moisture from the air. This prevents damage to the home from condensation, which can result in mold growth or structural damage.
  • Cooling down areas prone to higher temperatures, such as around a stove or shower. The hot air is vented to the outdoors, allowing cooler air from the home to circulate.
  • Eliminating contaminants, odors, and humidity from the air. Exhaust fans ventilate areas that might otherwise not have proper ventilation.

What kinds of exhaust fans are there?

There are several different types of exhaust fans, each with their own purpose.

Exterior Exhaust Fans

Exterior exhaust fans pull the air out of a room and push it outdoors. These are typically quiet since the noise from the fan is outside of the home.

Wall Mounted Exhaust Fans

Wall-mounted exhaust fans are installed directly into an exterior wall of the house. The air travels straight through the fan to the outdoors.

Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Kitchen exhaust fans not only help remove smells, but also suck the heat right out of your house. Additionally, they help remove moisture from the air from boiling water. They are commonly installed directly above the stove for the best performance results.

Bathroom Exhaust Fans

Bathroom exhaust fans primarily remove moisture from the air that results from bathing or showering. Typically, bathroom exhaust fans are smaller and more affordable than other types of exhaust fans. Bathroom exhaust fans are important because they help eliminate moisture, which can cause condensation, rotting drywall, and develop mold and mildew.

Ceiling Mounted Exhaust Fans

Ceiling mounted exhaust fans help produce better airflow. The pull the air into the ceiling, venting directly into the attic or crawl space above the ceiling.

Inline Exhaust Fans

Inline exhaust fans are installed into the side of existing ductwork, using the existing ductwork as a way to expel the air from the room. This is a great option for interior rooms that have no other way to expel air.

Exhaust Fans with Lights

Combination exhaust fans that also have lighting are a great way to lighten up a dark area of the home. It increases the functionality of the fan and helps disguise it as a lighting source instead of as an exhaust fan.

Jeffrey S. Dallenbach, AIA Has Learned The Ropes Of Leadership

Article Editor on October 27, 2019

Leadership forms an essential quality in any kind of work. Leaders are a necessity. People need guidance that enables them to think carefully about the work they do each day. A really good leader brings a great many qualities to the table with them. They know how to work with clients and listen to exactly what they are saying when they are speaking. They also know how to find the right people for any project and get them on board. Leaders are also those who can help people at any workplace do their best and even go beyond it. They know that it is imperative to be there for their workers and for their clients with skilled advice and careful help. This is one quality that Jeffrey S. Dallenbach has embodied over the course of his life and his chosen career in the difficult and demanding world of construction.

Building a Career

A career has been very much on the mind of Jeffrey S. Dallenbach, AIA from the very start of his life. He rapidly developed a love of buildings and how they are put together. Architecture understandably appealed to his love of order and his desire to make his mark. This is a field that has continued to capture his full attention and keep it there. He began his formal education at Texas A&M. This university is one where the emphasis is on creating a well-rounded student who still has what it takes to go above and beyond in any vocation they see fit to choose. At this university, he set his sights on becoming an architect. Architecture is a difficult and demanding field. Yet this did not daunt him. Those who are planning to enter the field in Texas must meet certain stringent requirements. Jeffrey S. Dallenbach, AIA was more than able to show off his innate ambition. He quickly took the exams to become a licensed architect and set about making his mark in this field.

Not Content

Dallenbach was not content to sit on his laurels and merely be part of a firm. He wanted something more. It was this sense of ambition and his ability to lead that lead him to seek out others who could teach him well. He chose to work closely with the respected firm of Marmon Mok Architects. This is one firm that has created a great many different projects all over San Antonio. In the process, he began to work closely with some of the most important projects in the entire state. His particular field of expertise at this firm was that of education. This is where he began to show off exactly what he could to create better places for Texans to get an education.

Forming His Own Firm

As true leaders know well, it is not enough to work for others. People who feel a burning sense of ambition are those who want to break free from the constraints that bound them and create a space of their own. It was this sense of having more to give that led Dallenbach to found his own firm. At DALLENBACH·COLE ARCHITECTURE, Dallenbach has continued to take a leadership role that benefits his firm and his many clients in the San Antonio area. DALLENBACH·COLE ARCHITECTURE is a firm that has taken on many varied projects. This is a firm that is in full command of the field of architecture and fully committed to creating impressive projects for their many clients. It is a firm that Dallenbach hopes to continue leading as he heads to a great future.

What Are The Main Causes Of Bubbles On A Tire’s Sidewall?

Staff on October 21, 2019

Tires are made of layers of rubber that keep the air inside the tire, as well as polyester cords called piles that provide the tire with strength and shape. The layers within the tire are bound to one another using various bonding materials.

How Bubbles Occur

Due to manufacturing defects, driving on damaged roads (for example, hitting a pothole or crossing railroad tracks or other rough patches on the road at high speed), or general long-term wear and tear, the different layers of a tire can lose strength, resulting in a separation of the layers. Once any two layers separate, air can pass through them, forming a bubble in the sidewall or tread of the tire. Bubbles can also form in defective tires if a driver drives on tires that are underinflated.

These bubbles generally form slowly and may not appear overnight. This poses serious driving risks as the driver of the vehicle may be unaware that he or she is driving on a damaged tire.

More information on the age of your tires and other important tire specs can be found in the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)’s tire safety guide. 

Risks

Bubbles in a tire are essentially indicative of a structural failure of the tire. Once one section of a tire is damaged, if the damage goes unnoticed, the damage can spread, with more and more air finding its way to different parts of the tire, forming more – and larger- bubbles along the way.

If the structural damage to your tire – and the resultant bubbles – are large enough, they can result in a clean tire blowout at an unexpected time. Bubbles can also affect your vehicle’s grip on the road, as well as your braking ability.

Precautions and Remedies

Tire bubbles appear more frequently on the sidewall of the tire as opposed to the tread since the rubber and layering of a tire is thinner in the sidewall. Regularly check your tire for bubbles, at least every time you check your tire pressure or fill your tires with air.

Rotating your tires can also help even out the wear and tear that your front and back tires undergo. Tire rotations also provide you with an opportunity to have your tires looked at from up close when they are being switched from front to back or vice versa.

Depending on the cause that is identified for your tire bubbles, you may be eligible for a free replacement or a quick fix by your local tire shop. Speak with your tire dealer for details on available promotions or options.

What you should never do, however, is drive on a tire that has bubbles. You can never predict when a tire bubble will burst, and even seemingly small bubbles can unexpectedly give way and form larger bubbles and cause more internal damage to your tire, all unbeknownst to you. Stay safe, regularly check your tires for structural damage, know where to look for bubbles, and do your best to avoid potholes and other road debris while driving to extend the lifetime of your tires.

For further reading, see the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) TireWise report, which is a publication that provides useful tire usage guidelines for vehicles of different types.

Hidden Injuries to Watch Out for After a Car Accident

Jeff Short on October 18, 2019

Car accidents can leave devastating injuries and astounding property damage in their wake. Sometimes, however, the injuries you can receive aren’t always as noticeable. These hidden wounds, often known as delayed injuries, can take weeks or months to reveal themselves. 

Headaches and Migraines

Despite popular belief, you might not initially experience a headache after an accident. Some can take several days to develop and may even turn into migraines. This can indicate a blood clot in your brain, an injury to your neck, or even a concussion. 

Stiffness

Whiplash is the most common delayed symptom, affecting your neck and shoulders. Even at low speeds, you might find yourself suffering from severe pain or stiffness afterward. An x-ray, CT scan, or MRI can fully diagnose this condition. 

Back Pain

Another common hidden injury, back pain tends to occur the next day or a few days after. It’s caused by injury to your muscles, ligaments, or nerves. In severe cases, like a motorcycle accident, your back pain may be caused by damage to your vertebrae. 

Abdominal Pain

Just like your back, your abdominals can also experience bruising from an accident. However, this can also be a sign of internal bleeding. If you see a deep purple bruise, feel faint, or experience intense pain, then you should seek medical attention immediately. 

Feeling Numb

Whiplash can progress days or weeks after your accident. You might experience numbness in your arms or hands due to injury in your neck or spinal column. This is a normal symptom, but you should still have your primary care physician look at your injuries. 

Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury is another common issue with delayed symptoms, but this condition is far more serious. You might experience delayed thinking, motor skill impairment, or changes in your personality. Issues with vision and hearing are also common.

These symptoms do not reveal themselves until weeks or even a month after the accident. If you’ve already hired a personal injury attorney, they can direct you to a professional who specializes in brain injuries. Start the healing process as soon as possible if you experience these symptoms. The longer you wait, the worse it can become. 

PTSD

While most people associate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with military servicemembers, anyone can experience symptoms of this condition. Developing PTSD after a car accident is incredibly common, leading to trouble sleeping and changes in mood.

Anxiety and depression are common symptoms, but you may also find yourself numbing your emotions. Most people also have difficulty getting a vehicle again, let alone driving. The sooner you seek help, the better. Left untreated, PTSD can drastically alter your life for the worse. 

Remember that all of these injuries are hidden or delayed. They take time to reveal themselves after an accident. You have the right to seek compensation for them even they aren’t included on your initial accident report. Compensation can cover medical expenses, time spent off work, and pain and suffering. Don’t wait, get the help and justice you deserve. 

Can You Sue for a Slip and Fall Injury?

Staff on October 15, 2019

Yes, you can sue for a slip and fall injury. Slip and fall accidents can lead to cuts, bruises, sprains, broken bones, head injuries, and other serious conditions. Recovering from a slip and fall injury can force you to take time off of work leading to lost wages and mounting medical bills. If the property owner or manager did not do enough to prevent your fall, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit.

What Is a Slip and Fall Injury?

A slip and fall injury happens when there is not enough traction or friction between your feet and the surface you are walking on. Slipping injuries can be caused by:

  • Loose mats and rugs.
  • Oily or wet surfaces.
  • Icy or broken walkways.
  • Walking surfaces with little to no traction.

Elderly people are most at risk for falls. According to the Centers for Disease Control, three million older adults are treated in hospital emergency departments each year for injuries caused by falls. They also reported one out of five falls causes a head injury or broken bones. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 887 work-related fatalities from falls, slips, and trips in 2017. This is the second most common type of fatal occupational injury in the U.S. 

Comparative Negligence Laws

You may be able to receive compensation after a slip and fall even if you are partly at fault for your injuries. The laws regarding how this affects a slip and fall lawsuit are called comparative negligence, and they vary from state to state.

Texas uses what’s known as modified comparative negligence. This means you can’t recover damages if you are found to be more than 50% responsible for your fall. If you are 50% responsible or less you can recover damages, but your award will be reduced by the percentage that you are found to be at fault. 

Proving Negligence

Negligence needs to be proven in order to prevail in a slip and fall personal injury lawsuit. This means the property owner or manager failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the circumstances that caused the slip and fall. Some factors to consider when establishing negligence include:

  • How long was the hazard there? Did the business or property owner have time to correct the problem?
  • Could they have blocked off the area more effectively or placed warning signs?
  • Was there a routine in place to check for hazards? If so, does a log exist showing whether this routine took place in the hours preceding your fall?
  • Was there adequate lighting and visibility in the area where your fall occurred?

Statute of Limitations 

The Texas Statute of Limitations is two years. This means you have two years from the day your slip and fall injury occurs to file a lawsuit. This is true even if you didn’t discover the full extent of your injuries until later. 

If you file your lawsuit after this window of time, the judge assigned to your case will most likely dismiss your case at the outset. If you are thinking of suing over your slip and fall injury, contact an attorney as soon as possible so that he or she can help you meet this important deadline.

Attorneys have experience negotiating with insurance companies, and this can result in a higher settlement for you without even filing a lawsuit. A qualified attorney can help gather information, investigate your case, file a claim with the insurance company and, if necessary, file a slip and fall lawsuit on your behalf.

Is Hitting a Parked Car a Hit and Run?

Staff on October 3, 2019

It happens to everyone. You’ve been rushing all day. It was a stressful day at work, and now you’re running by the grocery store and the pharmacy and you’re going to be late for dinner with the kids. You’re not looking very carefully and you end up bumping into a parked car as you’re leaving the parking lot. 

This isn’t the end of the world, but you have to take it seriously. The most important thing is to stop, take a deep breath, and get out to check on both cars. If you hit a parked car and go on to leave the parking lot without talking to anyone or even leaving a note, that is legally a hit and run. 

Your Legal Obligations

A hit and run offense refers to any type of car accident or collision where a driver leaves without identifying themselves or waiting for the police. Georgia state law states that a driver who hits another car, regardless of it’s in motion or not must stop at or return to the scene of the accident. Not doing so is a crime, and law enforcement will not take it lightly. No matter how much of a hurry you’re in, you always need to stop and park again when you hit a car. 

You might get out and see no visible damage to your car or the other driver’s car. Fortunately, that means you probably won’t be on the hook for expensive repairs, but it doesn’t mean you can leave. The other driver may be able to identify damage that you can’t. 

To fulfill your legal obligation, you need to make an effort to find the driver. Ask other people around you to see if you can locate them and exchange information. If you can’t find the driver, but there is obvious damage to the car, you should consider calling the police. Leaving the scene without calling the police if there is expensive damage can still count as a hit and run in Georgia.

If there’s no sign of the driver and the damage seems slight or nonexistent, you can leave a note for the driver. Include at least your name, phone number, address, and an explanation. Put this in on the windshield where it will be seen and take precautions if necessary so that it doesn’t fall off or get rained on. 

Protecting Your Own Liability

As the driver at fault, you will be responsible for all damages caused by the accident, at least in Georgia and many other states. However, your liability will be less than it would have been if you had committed a hit and run with a parked car. 

There are other ways you can defend yourself if you’re worried you’ll be held responsible for a lot of damages. Take pictures of both cars right after the accident and write down exactly what happened for your own record. Don’t explicitly apologize to the driver either. You might also consider finding an attorney to help you study your options if you’re worried. 

Who Can Qualify for Social Security Disability in South Carolina?

Staff on September 25, 2019

In South Carolina, you may be able to file to receive disability benefits if you are unable to work. The federal Social Security Administration collects money over your working life from your paychecks and then distributes that money back out to you and others when needed later on. 

You can get some of that money back in the form of retirement benefits once you’re old enough, but you may qualify to start receiving that money earlier through social security disability. Anyone who has paid into the system over time and can’t work because of some kind of medical condition may be eligible for this. 

Disabilities

People receive disability benefits because of all different types of medical conditions, so don’t automatically assume that your disability may not count. You can seek benefits for any medical condition that is expected to prevent you from working for at least 12 months. 

The key to your case is that you were working previously, but stopped working because of your condition. For establishing your case and getting the benefits you’ve earned over time, you’ll need to document your medical history as it relates to the condition. 

You’ll need treatment records and statements from medical providers who have treated you, as well as evidence that the condition is expected to last. These statements should explain why your condition keeps you from working. This will be easier if your disability is already commonly accepted as a severe medical condition. 

Work Credits

Having proven your disability, you’ll also need to be able to demonstrate that you have paid enough into the Social Security system over time to qualify to receive money back. You earn work credits each year that you earn money and pay taxes in a business that participates in Social Security. 

The exact amount of work credits that you’ll need to get benefits will depend on your age. Older workers are expected to have been working for a longer time and will need more credits. You will also need to have earned some reasonable portion of those credits in the last few years immediately before your disability. 

Qualifying Family Members 

These aren’t the only ways to qualify for disability benefits through Social Security, however. Even if you don’t meet these requirements, you might be able to earn disability benefits if you are a surviving spouse of someone with benefits. 

Widows and widowers of qualifying workers can file to receive benefits through their deceased spouses. Divorced spouse survivors may also be eligible. 

What if you were never able to work and put money into Social Security because of a disability? If your disability qualifies under SSA rules and you were disabled before you turned 22, you can submit an application to Social Security to receive benefits through your parent’s earning record.  

If you’re not sure whether or not you qualify, the best thing you can do is find a legal professional with experience in this field. Don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself and get the support you need.   

What Do I Do if Someone Hits My Car Without Insurance?

Staff on September 24, 2019

If someone hits your car without insurance, you may still have opportunities to collect compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to your injuries.

According to statistics compiled by the Insurance Research Council, about one in eight drivers in the U.S. were uninsured in 2015. The percentage of uninsured motorists has been climbing since 2010. In Texas, that figure is slightly higher at 1 in 7. Texas is ranked 16th in the nation for uninsured drivers.

The odds for Texans of being in an accident with somebody who is uninsured increase every year, although cheap auto insurance providers like FreewayInsurance.com are making it more affordable than ever to be insured. If you end up in this situation, what do you do? Read on to find out.

What Is Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured and underinsured coverage will reimburse you if you are in an accident with somebody not covered by insurance. Texas statutes require insurance companies to include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage in auto insurance plans

If you are involved in a crash with a driver who does not have insurance, the damage to your car is covered by your policy’s collision coverage. Your medical health insurance should pay for treating your injuries. However, if an accident limits your ability to work or leaves you with long-term medical needs, your health care coverage most likely won’t cover those costs. 

Your uninsured or underinsured coverage will pick up a portion of your costs after this. Property damage coverage will pay for harm to your vehicle and other possessions, while bodily injury coverage helps cover medical bills. 

No matter how much insurance you have, there may be still other damages insurance won’t cover that you would have to pay for out of pocket. In cases where the damages are extensive, your insurance company may resist paying you at all. 

Your Insurance Company May Not Want to Pay

In Texas, your insurance carrier is only liable to pay for damages that the at-fault driver is legally liable for. 

You may have to prove your claim by filing a lawsuit and getting a verdict from a judge or jury.  Your insurance carrier probably won’t sit by and wait to find out what the liability will be and in what amount. If the damages are extensive and they would have to pay out a lot of money, it might be in their best interest if you lost your case. 

This means you will probably have to show evidence of that liability and the related damages before you can get money from your own policy. This is when a personal injury attorney can help. He or she can review the facts of your case and fight for the money that is owed to you.

Consult With an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you’ve been injured in an accident and the person who hits you does not have insurance, you may find receiving damages from your injuries harder than you anticipate.  

Finding the right personal injury attorney from the beginning will help make sure you understand the process and reach important deadlines. The Texas Statute of Limitations dictates that you have two years to file your personal injury lawsuit against an uninsured motorist. For help with the process, consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney can make a world of difference.