Small Businesses, Lacking Legal Immunity, Fear COVID-19 Liability Lawsuits
Plans for a lawsuit against a Maine venue that hosted what became a “superspreader” wedding reception underscore the liability risks to small businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic and an uphill push by Republicans in Congress to give such outfits legal immunity.
Behemoths like Walmart and Tyson Foods, which have been the target of COVID-19-related lawsuits, can largely absorb any losses. But hundreds of negligence lawsuits have been filed across the country, with mom-and-pops most fearing the prospect of litigation that could put them under.
“They can end up losing even if they win a lawsuit,” said David Clough, of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, because costly litigation can bankrupt small businesses that don’t have deep pockets.
Can Do: How Family Businesses Are Navigating The COVID Pandemic
According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, more than 100,000 American businesses that have closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic will never reopen. What about the millions of family-run companies? Is their plight as sobering? The situation is less clear for this sector, which accounts for more than 57 percent of the US GNP.
What are the biggest challenges facing family business? What pitfalls and opportunities are unique to them? And how do family businesses weather the storm of the pandemic? Learn more now on
Can Do.
In this episode, hear from three experts discussing the prospects for Main Street, family-owned and run businesses.
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FILE: In this March 30, 2020 file photograph, workers from an Amazon fulfillment center in Staten Island, N.Y., protest conditions over fears COVID-19 virus spread, at the company s warehouse in New York. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) Previous Next
Sunday, December 20, 2020 2:20 pm
Businesses, lacking legal immunity, fear COVID-19 lawsuits
DAVID SHARP | Associated Press
PORTLAND, Maine – Plans for a lawsuit against a Maine venue that hosted what became a “superspreader” wedding reception underscore the liability risks to small businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic and an uphill push by Republicans in Congress to give such outfits legal immunity.
Behemoths like Walmart and Tyson Foods, which have been the target of COVID-19-related lawsuits, can largely absorb any losses. But hundreds of negligence lawsuits have been filed across the country, with mom-and-pops most fearing the prospect of litigation t
Lawsuit against Maine venue accused of being ‘superspreader’ puts other businesses at risk
A battle over providing businesses with legal immunity to COVID-19 lawsuits is on hold for the time being in Congress, but businesses are still worried.
By DAVID SHARPAssociated Press
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PORTLAND Plans for a lawsuit against a Maine venue that hosted what became a “superspreader” wedding reception underscore the liability risks to small businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic and an uphill push by Republicans in Congress to give such outfits legal immunity.
Behemoths like Walmart and Tyson Foods, which have been the target of COVID-19-related lawsuits, can largely absorb any losses. But hundreds of negligence lawsuits have been filed across the country, with mom-and-pops most fearing the prospect of litigation that could put them under.
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