Partner Karen Karabinos Quoted in the AJC
August 24, 2020 BY Anonymous | General Firm
Karen Karabinos was quoted in Georgia Businesses Hope Lawsuits Will Trigger COVID Insurance Coverage, an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The article discusses the push from business owners who are attempting to collect pandemic related losses by filing property damage insurance claims. Karen cited Georgia's Case Law, as to why these filings aren't valid in Georgia. ... Continue Reading
IADC Features an Article by Karen Karabinos and Eric Mull
August 14, 2020 BY Anonymous | General Firm
Partners Karen Karabinos and Eric Mull were featured the August edition of the IADC Committee Newsletter. Karen and Eric provide guidance on how insurance company can prepare and possibly avoid bad faith claims being filed against them in COVID-19 related first party property lawsuits. ... Continue Reading
District of Columbia Court Finds no "Direct Physical Loss" Arising out of D.C. Mayor's Orders
August 07, 2020 BY Anonymous | General Firm
On August 6, 2020, Associate Judge Kelly A. Higashi of the District of Columbia Circuit rejected efforts by Plaintiffs, owners and operators of prominent restaurants in the D.C. area, to recover business income losses from their insurance carrier Erie Insurance Exchange after the mayor declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency. In various orders, the mayor prohibited table seating at restaurants and bars, then prohibited standing customers at restaurants, bars and ultimately closed all non-essential businesses. Erie denied their claims, prompting Plaintiffs to file a declaratory judgment action requesting the D.C. Court to hold that their losses were covered by the policies issued by Erie. ... Continue Reading
UPDATE: GOVERNOR KEMP SIGNS GEORGIA COVID-19 PANDEMIC BUSINESS SAFETY ACT
August 06, 2020 BY Anonymous | General Firm
Late on August 5, 2020, Governor Kemp signed the Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act ("GCPBSA"). As discussed in our July 7, 2020 article, the GCPBSA affords businesses in Georgia with liability protection against claims related to the contraction of COVID-19 that accrue before July 14, 2021. Importantly, the GCPBSA creates a rebuttable presumption of assumption of the risk except in cases of gross negligence, willful and wanton misconduct, reckless infliction of harm, or intentional infliction of harm. ... Continue Reading
COVID-19 Forward Focused | What are the Legal Obligations of Returning to the Workplace?
July 14, 2020 BY Anonymous | Webinar
Attorneys Dan Kniffen and Neil Brunetz participated in a webinar with Georgia Minority Supplier Development Counsil to explore safety precautions that need to be considered prior to reopening businesses during COVID-19. Dan and Neil address health and safety considerations, test screenings and privacy concerns. ... Continue Reading