By Personal Injury Attorney Bennett Schiller of Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm

In April 2017, Bonni Genzer was driving for a popular ride-sharing company, Uber.

She picked up an Uber passenger and drove them to their destination over 130 miles away. Ms. Genzer delivered the Uber passenger safely to their destination and then began the long journey home solo. During this drive home, a metal object crashed through her windshield after being ejected from a semitrailer truck, and she sustained injuries when the object hit her in the face.

In the case Bonni J. Genzer v. James River Insurance Co. the court stated in its decision that Uber’s insurance does not cover Uber drivers when they are returning from delivering an Uber passenger to the passenger’s destination. This means that if the injury has occurred en route to the passenger’s destination, that Uber’s insurance likely would have covered the driver’s injuries, however, because it was on the return trip after the passenger arrived at their destination, the Uber driver was no longer covered by their policy.

The court ruled that Uber’s insurance only covers accidents that occur while the Uber driver is transporting an Uber passenger, before the passenger has been dropped off at their destination. However, just because an injured driver or passenger is denied coverage by one insurance policy, that does not mean they are stuck holding the bill. They may be able to sue the at-fault driver to recover damages.

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Are you ready for DC’s Emancipation Day Celebration? Clear your calendar — it’s going down!

Join Mayor Muriel Bowser and an all-star talent line up on Saturday April 13 at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C. This year we look forward to celebrating one of the reasons that makes living in the District of Columbia so special — all while coming together with a community of family and friends from all 8 Wards.

In April, the District celebrates Emancipation Day to recognize the freedom of more than 3,000 D.C. slaves which took place on April 16, 1862.

The D.C. Emancipation occurred eight months before President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Two and a half years later, slavery was officially abolished nationwide and commemorated each year on June 19, also known as Juneteenth.

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Real Estate Fresh Finds is a weekly selection of newly-listed properties in the District, brought to you by Real Living At Home.

Featured Property of the Week: 57 W Street NW

  • This 3 BR/3.5 BA brick row home is loaded with its original charm and features, blending old school intricate woodwork, coffered ceilings and crown moulding with the new school smart home features of a Ring doorbell camera, SimpliSafe Alarm and Nest Thermostat, and smoke detector system. The home boasts 2 outdoor seating area, including a front porch, patio, rear screened porch and an upper deck that overlooks the serene Bloomingdale neighborhood. For an added D.C. centric bonus, check out the custom skylight on the upper level hallway in the style of the District flag.

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“The weather is changing and it’s time you do too,” said Gerard “Coach G” Burley, owner of the party-inspired, high-intensity group personal training program known as SWEAT DC.

Coach G warns that the weather may change faster than you do, and you may not have the right plan to get you confident and beach ready. So he’s devised a rapid transformation program called “The Memorial Day Sprint Challenge,” a six-week, 24-session, comprehensive plan designed to maximize your effort in the shortest amount of time. Safely, of course, and fun, as always.

The Memorial Day Sprint Challenge includes a pre-assessment session to determine where you are now and where you want to be in six weeks; before and after photos; a calorie-intake appraisal and a customized meal plan; an accountability partner to keep you on your path; off-day workouts; and prizes for those who meet their goals.

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By Criminal Defense Attorney Floyd Oliver of Price Benowitz, LLP

In December of 2018, President Donald Trump signed the First Step Act into law.

This law was one of a few that have received bipartisan support under the Trump administration. The law gives thousands of people serving time in jail reduced sentences, allowing them to leave jail early and get on with their lives. The law was passed with the hope that it would reduce recidivism and give those serving time a second chance. Now though, prosecutors across the country are attempting to reverse the law in the most unfair way.

The law applies to inmates that were sentenced to jail for selling crack cocaine and gives them a chance to reduce their prison sentences. Now, however, prosecutors are unfairly targeting individuals that took a plea deal. During these deals, those accused often agree to plead guilty in exchange for the prosecution, stating that they were in possession of much smaller amounts of drugs than they actually were. As a result, federal prosecutors are going back on their word and trying to get people thrown back into jail.

This is completely unfair to individuals that have been freed and was not the way the law was intended to work and should not be allowed. Inmates that believed they were free once again now have to deal with prosecutors trying to get them thrown back in jail for an indefinite amount of time.

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Once again we have another week of 200+ open houses, which means homebuyers still have plenty of options. So get out this weekend and check out some of our suggested DC Open Houses for PoPville below. To see the entire DC Open House List, click here.

  • 831 Rock Creek Church Road NW #B — $1,299,000 — Petworth
    Open Sat. 1-3 p.m. & Sun. 1-4 p.m. — Ellen Klein
    One of 2 brand-new modernly designed units that looks like it’s straight out of a magazine has 5 BR/3.5 BA  spread across 2,300+ square feet also has 4 levels of private outdoor space.
  • 920 3rd Street NE — $674,000 — NoMa
    Open Sat. 1-4 p.m. & Sun. 1-3p.m. — Andrew Lindner
    “Rarely available [3 BR/2 BA] row home in highly desirable NoMa /H Street NE neighborhood.”
  • 6109 7th Place NW — $739,900 — Brightwood
    Open Sun. 12-4 p.m. — Heath Graves
    This 4-level 5 BR semi-detached was already priced to move, but with a recent $10k price reduction, it’s even more appealing and now’s your chance to score an amazing deal on a beautiful home.
  • 1411 Massachusetts Avenue SE #5 — $339,000 — Lincoln Park
    Open Sun. 12-2 p.m. — Justin Paulhamus
    Top floor 1 BR unit with lots of light in the boutique condo building South of the Park Condominiums.

One of the most celebrated choir groups in the world is making a rare U.S. visit, and Washington National Cathedral is host to one of only three stops on the tour.

The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, can trace its history back to the 15th century, when the College was founded at the University of Cambridge. And on Saturday, March 30, the renowned boys choir will sing the British choral music it has mastered over several centuries.

The boys will perform 14 songs, highlighted by two organ solos belted out on the 10,647 pipes of the Cathedral’s Great Organ. The compositions include works by Monteverdi, Palestrina, Purcell, Britten and Vaughn Williams. This is the last chance for local audiences to experience the choir under the direction of Stephen Cleobury, who is retiring.

Admission ranges from $25 to $95; students will be admitted for $15. More information and information on purchasing tickets is available here: https://tix.cathedral.org/TheatreManager/1/online?performance=18191

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By Railroad Mesothelioma Attorney Christopher Murphy of Doran & Murphy, PLLC

It has long since been known that asbestos is a main cause of cancer. Unfortunately, this substance is absolutely everywhere, even in the air, and it is undetectable by the naked eye.

For years researchers thought they knew everything there was to know about this dangerous toxin and its relationship to cancer. Namely, asbestos was most commonly associated with lung cancer and mesothelioma. Now, in addition to those diseases, a new study has found that asbestos may also be linked to ovarian cancer.

The connection between asbestos and these two types of cancers may seem confusing to some. However, the study showed a clear link. Inhaling asbestos causes the mineral to become lodged in the pleura, which is in the lung cavity. This can result in either lung cancer or mesothelioma.

This connection has been clear for some time. It has also been known that asbestos can also be ingested. When it is, it can travel further into the body, down into the abdominal cavity. For women, this is particularly concerning because it then becomes lodged in the ovaries. According to the National Cancer Institute, this can easily lead to ovarian cancer.

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Real Estate Fresh Finds is a weekly selection of newly-listed properties in the District, brought to you by Real Living At Home.

Featured Property of the Week: 1230 Farragut Place NE

This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom semi-detached townhome in North Michigan Park is an “Architectural Digest inspired home with a custom created outdoor oasis” that includes a privately fenced-in garden, hot tub, shed and dining/grilling space as well as 2 off-street parking spaces.

The home has been fully renovated on all 3 levels with “more than $100k worth of owner renovation and improvements” such as hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, designer lighting and modernized bathrooms.

The open floor plan of this show gives it an “effortless flow” across its 1,600+ square feet and is perfectly located equidistant to Brookland and Takoma Park as well as less than a mile walk to the Fort Totten Metro Station.

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Virginia Tech’s Evening MBA program moved up three places to No. 14 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 rankings of the best part-time MBA programs.

The Northern Virginia-based program now ranks as the top public university part-time MBA in the Washington, D.C. metro area. The report assessed more than 300 part-time MBA programs across the country on factors such as student quality, peer reputation and the ratio of part-time to full-time students.

“This marks the fifth consecutive year that the Evening MBA has featured in the top 20 programs nationwide,” said Dana K. Hansson, director of MBA programs. “We believe the faculty expertise and high level of flexibility we offer are key factors in continuing to attract high quality students to our program.”

The Evening MBA is one of three MBA programs offered by the Pamplin College of Business. With many shared courses and faculty, the Executive and Professional MBA program options offer a similar academic experience to the Evening program, but with alternate formats and locations to better serve a range of students.

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