Many states are enacting legislation which provides immunity from tort liability for COVID_19 related illnesses. Several states have passed laws limiting legal liability for healthcare facilities, nursing homes and health care workers, with certain restrictions. Others have passed laws granting immunity to those business and some to an even wider range of employers and businesses. For example, North Carolina includes grocery stores and restaurants. These laws take into consideration the employer’s conduct in providing a safe environment and not recklessly, willfully, or intentionally exposing customers, clients, or their employees to COVID-19.
Here are few:
Arizona Executive Order 2020-27 https://azgovernor.gov/sites/default/files/eo_2020-27_the_good_samaritan_order.pdf
Connecticut Executive Order 7-U https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Office-of-the-Governor/Executive-Orders/Lamont-Executive-Orders/Executive-Order-No-7U.pdf?la=en
Illinois Executive Order 2020-19 https://www2.illinois.gov/Pages/Executive-Orders/ExecutiveOrder2020-19.aspx.
Massachusetts https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2640
Michigan https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90705-523481–,00.html
New Jersey https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-112.pdf
New York https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&leg_video=&bn=S07506&term=0&Actions=Y&Text=Y
This trend continues almost daily. Be sure to check your individual state’s laws before advising clients or making decisions.
