Partner Barbara Marschalk, along with an attorney from Steward Trial Lawyers and the Butler Law Firm, have developed The People vs. Coivd19, a website centered around uniting defense and plaintiffs attorneys, to gather donations from the legal community to provide meals for healthcare workers and support local businesses. The People vs. Covid19 is linked to a GoFundMe page where website visitors can make donations. Once a donation has been made, their name will be included in the list of donors scrolling at the bottom of the page. The platform has proven to be successful, as it has reached $12,000 in donations as of Wednesday, April 8th. The use of #thePeoplevsCovid19 has been encouraged to ... Continue Reading
SBA ADOPTS PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM INTERIM FINAL RULE
On April 2, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued an interim final rule (Rule) applicable to sections 1102 and 1106 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act or the Act). As addressed in a prior Drew, Eckl & Farnham memorandum, Section 1102 of the Act temporarily adds the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) 7(a) Loan Program, and Section 1106 of the Act provides for forgiveness of up to the full principal amount of loans guaranteed under the Paycheck Protection Program. The Rule outlines key provisions of SBA’s implementation of sections 1102 and 1106 of the Act and provides additional guidance ... Continue Reading
PREPARING FOR COVID-19 RELATED FIRST PARTY PROPERTY CLAIMS – GEORGIA: EDITION NO. 7
With the spread of COVID-19 to the U.S., many insurers are preparing for possible COVID-19 related first party property claims by reviewing what coverages and exclusions might be applicable to such claims. While any claim is dependent on the specific terms of the policy issued to each insured, insurance companies should consider certain coverages and exclusions as a checklist. Partners Karen Karabinos and Eric Mull will address a coverage provision or exclusion each edition of this series. Today, we focus on a general discussion of suit limitation clauses, their treatment under Georgia law, and the impact COVID-19 will have on suit limitation clauses Under Georgia law, suit ... Continue Reading
Depositions in Georgia in the Age of COVID-19
It's hard to imagine anything in today's world that has not been impacted by COVID-19. The legal profession is, of course, no exception. Lawyers must be prepared each day to respond and adjust to the shifting sets of challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic. The goal for each attorney should be to provide excellent legal services while ensuring that everyone involved stays healthy and safe. For depositions during this time, we feel that this goal is most effectively accomplished via remote video conferencing. It’s hard to imagine anything in today’s world that has not been impacted by COVID-19. The legal profession is, of course, no exception. Lawyers must be prepared each day ... Continue Reading
Expert Witness: To Exclude, or Not to Exclude, That is the Question
A significant factor to consider when evaluating a case, in particular for purposes of settlement, is whether the opposing party intends to utilize expert witnesses. The inclusion or exclusion of opposing party's expert witness in some instances may make or break a case. The lack of an expert witness such as an economist may prohibit a plaintiff from proving future lost income which would significantly diminish the value of the case. Or failing to disclose a orthopedist as a testifying expert may preclude an injured plaintiff from establishing causation. Alternatively, the use of such expert witnesses by the plaintiff may significantly strengthen their case and convince you or your ... Continue Reading
CARES Act: What it Means for Georgia Businesses
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) into law. The Act is intended to provide relief for individuals and businesses in order to stimulate the economy in light of the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This article outlines some of the more significant issues addressed by the Act that will have an immediate impact on the way that small business owners and employers do business. Please contact us if you would like to discuss any of these topics in greater detail. Small Business Loan Provisions The CARES Act amends the Small Business Association (SBA) loan rules to mitigate the sharp economic decline already ... Continue Reading
3 Simple Steps for Getting Your Estate Planning Done While in Quarantine
Today, more than ever before, Estate Planning is important! If you don’t have an Advanced Directive and Financial Power of Attorney, at a bare minimum, you are taking serious and unnecessary risks. There is literally no better time than now to start thinking about planning and anyone who has ever experienced probate will tell you that a little bit of forethought goes a long way. In this LinkedIn article, attorney Kayla Chen provides three simple steps that you and your family can take now to be prepared in the event of a medical emergency. ... Continue Reading
Change of Condition vs. Fictional New Injury: A review of AZ Atlanta et al. v. Surge Staffing, LLC, et. al.
The workers compensation Act is most successful in its application when an injured worker receives all necessary and related medical treatment needed to return the employee back to his pre-injury state that allows him to pursue gainful employment. Ideally, the employee’s condition is restored so far as he is capable of performing the same pre-injury work duties for the same employer. In some circumstances, however, returning the employee to the pre-injury work duties can reaggravate the underlying condition that once took the employee out of work. In other circumstances, a new and separate incident within the course of employment occurs following the employees return to ... Continue Reading
DEF’s Albany office is remotely fully operational during shelter-in-place order
Friday afternoon, the Dougherty County Commission Chair Chris Cohilas and City of Albany Mayor Bo Dorough issued a shelter-in-place order in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. To comply with this order, our physical office in Albany is closed for non-essential matters but we are open and fully operational during this time. Our attorneys and professionals are equipped with the required technology to work remotely and remain ready and available to continue providing exceptional legal services. ... Continue Reading
COVID-19: Legal Services to Continue Despite Physical Office Closings
In order to decrease the spread of COVID-19, and in compliance with the CDC's recommendations to implement the use of social distancing strategies, Drew Eckl & Farnham has made the decision to close all of our Atlanta office starting on March 17. Despite the closing of our physical offices, we will continue providing our clients with exceptional legal services. In order to decrease the spread of COVID-19, and in compliance with the CDC's recommendations to implement the use of social distancing strategies, Drew Eckl & Farnham has made the decision to close all of our Atlanta offices starting on March 17. This decision was made for the health of our staff and the public and will ... Continue Reading