Be A Smart Business Credit Card Applicant
Even as the world economy feels the crunch lately, credit card companies are still clamouring for business as income from credit cards are probably one of the highest earners. The marketing becomes more aggresive and more perks are thrown in so that people would be more prepared to apply for one. Whilst personal credit cards are the norm, credit card companies have also taken the road to capture the business credit card sector. With such a lucrative market available, it is not surprising if the credit card agent tells you that he will come over to your office at your convenience so that you can fill up the business credit card applications. Even so, businessmen should take their time to source out the right type of card to use depending on the needs of the company. Some of the more common types of rewards programmes and features offered are as follows:-
Rewards Points and/or Miles Rewards
The rewards points incentive or travel miles reward programmes are probably in existent in almost all business credit card packages. With an eye to motivate the business man to spend more, points or miles are given for the amount spent on the credit card. The points are then redeemable against a catalogue of gifts or travel deals. If you know that your business requires you to spend considerably, then choose the rewards programme which gives you the best value for the points earned.
Cash Back
With cash back cards, the businessman is offered a percentage of each purchase back in cash. However, it is unlikely that you can actually withdraw cash earned back. Rather, the cash earned is used to offset selected purchases or used as rebates. Do note however that the interest rates on these cash back cards can be higher than ordinary cards and some may come with an annual fee. It is always advised that you read the fine print to determine the percentage for the cash back rewards before you decide whether it is worthwhile to submit that business credit card application. Read more
Headache in Quantifying Head Injuries
As a legal practitioner dealing with personal injury claims, one of my greatest challenges comes about when I am drafting a legal opinion on the quantum of damages for a claimant who sustained head injuries. Compared to the other parts of the body, a head injury (especially to the brain) can result in many types of residual disabilities such as slurred speech, impaired memory and neurological deficits affecting other parts of the body. It is difficult to put a price to an injury to a member of the body more so, where head injuries are concerned.
In Ong Ah Long v Dr. S Underwood [1983] 2 MLJ 324, Syed Agil Barakbah FJ had this to say in respect of how damages (general damages) for personal injuries ought to be treated:-
“It must be borne in mind that damages for personal injuries are not punitive and still less a reward. They are simply compensation that will give the injured party reparation for the wrongful act and for all the natural and direct consequences of the wrongful act, so far as money can compensate… .”
Through past decisions, Courts would be guided on what is a fair and reasonable amount to compensate the injured party. Similar injuries and residual disabilities would be compared and a sum awarded to reflect the pain and suffering sustained and loss of amenities to the injured party. So far so good. Now, let me show you some headaches based on recent reported cases which dealt with damages for head injuries.
In Baharuddin b Sulong & Anor v Hiew Chong Choo [2008] 1 PIR 40, the Kuantan Sessions Court awarded RM100,000 for “severe head injury resulting in the plaintiff suffering from impaired attention span (immediate recall), impaired recent recall and some impairment of constructional ability (constructional apraxia) and left lower limb weakness and numbness.”
In Mohd Shafri b Rehan v Mohd Nurrul Amry b Mohd Rahim [2008] 1 PIR 55, the Melaka Sessions Court awarded RM80,000 for “haemorrhagic contusion of the right temporal and parietal lobes and left thalamus. The Plaintiff suffered permanent impairment of concentration, memory, calculation and dexterity of the right hand and gait.” Read more