COVID-19

Report Indicates Nearly 300 Federal Lawsuits Have Been Filed As A Result Of The Coronavirus Pandemic

Nearly 300 federal lawsuits have been filed in the months of March and April 2020, which stem from the COVID-19 pandemic, a number that is likely to continue to expand. Lex Machina found 395 new lawsuits using COVID-19 related terms over the two-month period. Among those suits, 287 stemmed from the COVID-19 crisis, the company reported. Contracts, insurance and employment were the practice...Read More

Amazon Tries to Dodge Federal Suit (NY)

A complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on behalf of six plaintiffs alleges that Amazon failed to keep its JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group of plaintiffs specifically allege that Amazon failed to comply with New York law and state and federal public health guidance during COVID-19 pandemic. The complaint...Read More

The Show Must Go On: New Jersey State Bar Association Releases Report to Help NJ State Courts Resume Jury Trials Amidst Pandemic

As we head into the fifth month since the COVID-19 pandemic halted court operations, the New Jersey State Bar Association released a report and recommendations for the resumption of jury trials in the New Jersey courts. The report released in early July was created to help New Jersey courts restart jury trials in a way that will keep all participants healthy and safe, while accommodating and...Read More

Pennsylvania Grocery Store Chain Faces Multiple Federal Lawsuits Over Face Mask Policy (PA)

Numerous lawsuits have been filed in the Western District of Pennsylvania against Giant Eagle, a Pennsylvania grocery store chain, over its face mask policy. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Governor Wolf has instituted various mandates in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus, including, inter alia, a requirement that individuals must wear face coverings while in public spaces. In the...Read More

New Jersey Courts Enter Phase 2 (NJ)

On Monday, June 22nd, the New Jersey Courts transitioned to Phase 2 of their re-opening plan. During Phase 2, a small number of judges and staff have returned to court for certain matters that cannot be handled remotely. However, most civil proceedings will continue to be handled remotely at this time, including case management conferences, arbitrations, court-ordered mediation, and motion...Read More

Covid Cases Looming? Maybe Not. Some States Are Giving Companies The Antibodies To Fight Covid-19 Lawsuits

On Friday, June 19, 2020, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, stated a potential second COVID-19 “rescue” package could be in the works. McConnell said he wants to prioritize investing in” future generations” in this legislative package. If passed, this would be the second piece of legislation by Congress to aid families and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. On...Read More

Are “Business Interruption” Claims Now “Sports Interruption” Claims? (PA)

On Tuesday June 23, 2020, fifteen minor league baseball teams filed a complaint against their insurers in the federal district court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The teams, which include, among others, the Chattanooga Lookouts in Tennessee and the Fort Wayne TinCaps in Indiana, claim that they are owed coverage under their respective business interruption policies. The teams...Read More

Concrete Coverage Opinion to Aid Covid Cases (NY)

With recent COVID-19 related coverage cases being filed on a daily basis, the ongoing question of how courts will interpret business interruption provisions remain. Business interruption insurance is designed to indemnify the insured against losses arising from the inability to continue normal business operation and functions due to the damage sustained as a result of the hazard insured...Read More

Pennsylvania A Legislature Tags In For Third Round of Fight Against Governor Wolf’s COVID-19 Orders (PA)

Pennsylvania businesses, while understanding the unique threat posed by COVID-19, have not been uniformly pleased with Governor Wolf’s various shutdown orders that mandated large swaths of business closures. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that Governor Wolf had the authority to implement emergency measures. Businesses attempted to short-circuit the original stay-at-home orders arguing it...Read More

Governor Cuomo Extends Prior Executive Orders (NY)

Following his original Order of March 7, 2020, New York State Governor Cuomo issued several additional Orders in early June extending prior orders until July 9, 2020. Specifically, Executive Order No. 202.38, issued on June 6, 2020, mandated that commercial building owners, retail store owners, and property managers may have the discretion to conduct temperature checks of individuals entering...Read More