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 day. Today’s focus is on Business Income Loss Coverage. Coverage Provision – Business Income Loss Coverage Most commercial policies provide for some business income loss coverage, usually defined as the actual ... Continue Reading
FMCSA Issues New Guidance on Compliance with Drug & Alcohol Testing Regulations
Our attorneys are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and how it might affect our trucking and transportation clients. Yesterday (March 23), the Department of Transportation issued guidance on drug and alcohol testing for federally regulated transportation workers during this time. While they have addressed that resources may be limited for drug and alcohol training and testing requirements, they advised that "you should make a reasonable effort to locate the necessary resources." Our attorneys are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and how it might affect our trucking and transportation clients. Yesterday (March 23), the Department of Transportation issued guidance on drug ... Continue Reading
Individual State Guidance and Declarations from ATA
The American Trucking Association's Covid-19 Update Hub is tracking the following issues across the 50 states: • Closures of state driver license agencies • CDL expiration date extensions • New CLP and CDL issuance / testing restrictions • Increased size and weight limits • Parking and rest stop availability Click Here for ATA’s Individual State Guidance & Declarations ... Continue Reading
April 15 Tax Filing and Payment Deadline Postponed to July 15
Here are some key notes to keep in mind as the Treasury Secretary has postponed Tax Day: Here are some key notes to keep in mind as the Treasury Secretary has postponed Tax Day: The April 15 income tax filing and income tax payment deadline is postponed to July 15 There is no longer a limitation on the amount of payment that may be postponed No extension is required to be filed by April 15 to qualify for the July 15 deadline Many states are expected to follow suit, though Georgia has not yet announced whether it will follow the federal postponed deadline ... Continue Reading
FAQ’S ABOUT THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT
On March 14, 2020, the United States House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). President Trump signed the bill into law on March 18, 2020. It will go into effect on April 2, 2020 (fifteen days from the date of the President’s signature), and will expire on December 31, 2020. As enacted, the FFCRA applies only to private employers with 500 or fewer employees. All public agencies with at least one employee are covered. As you are likely already aware, the topic of providing paid leave for employees has been a subject of great debate for many years. To offset the cost to employers of providing the paid leave provided by the FFCRA, employers will be ... Continue Reading
COVID-19 Update: Liability Insurance
As we continue to see media reports of the spread of coronavirus illness, businesses could also face claims that they allegedly failed to exercise reasonable care in the handling of or warning against coronavirus exposure. Providers of transportation, hospitality services and retail establishments, and healthcare services may be impacted. General liability policies cover liability for bodily injury and property damage, and primary Commercial General Liability policies will usually provide a legal defense against certain covered claims. Insurers with a duty to defend may still be charged with such obligation if there is even a possibility of coverage for the underlying liability as ... 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
Action List for Families First Coronavirus Response Act and New GA Unemployment Rules
Families First Coronavirus Response Act As it stands right now, the FFCRA doesn’t go into effect until April 2, 2020 though it could be made effective sooner. The language of the actual Act is that it “shall take effect not later than 15 days after the enactment of the Act.” First step - FFCRA Emergency Paid Sick Leave If any employee is experiencing any of the following: Subject to a federal/state/local quarantine or isolation order relating to COVID-19;Advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns relating to COVID-19;Symptoms of COVID-19 and awaiting diagnosis;Caring for an individual subject or advised to quarantine or self-isolate; orCaring for his ... Continue Reading
Georgia Employers Required to File Unemployment Claims for COVID-19 Shutdowns
In an effort to mitigate work slow-downs and stoppages resulting from the COVID-19 crisis, Governor Kemp and the Georgia Department of Labor have enacted an emergency rule providing unemployment benefits for workers affected by partial or complete work stoppages. This temporary rule requires Employers to proactively file for Unemployment Benefits online for all employees whose hours are reduced due to a partial of full shutdown as a result of the COVID-19 emergency. The emergency rule, which went into effect for claim weeks beginning March 15, 2020: Requires employers to file partial claims on the DOL website;“With respect to any week during which an employee works less than ... Continue Reading
FAQ’s About the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
On March 14, 2020, the United States House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). President Trump signed the bill into law on March 18, 2020. It will go into effect on April 2, 2020 (fifteen days from the date of the President’s signature), and will expire on December 31, 2020. As enacted, the FFCRA applies only to private employers with 500 or fewer employees. All public agencies with at least one employee are covered. As you are likely already aware, the topic of providing paid leave for employees has been a subject of great debate for many years. To offset the cost to employers of providing the paid leave provided by the FFCRA, employers will be ... Continue Reading