On March 18, 2020, the President signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) into law. On March 25, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor issued guidance for employers. We anticipate this DOL guidance is the first of many updates to come, and we will update you when new information is available. Highlights of New DOL Guidance: Effective Date Change: The emergency paid sick leave provisions of the EPSL will be available on April 1, 2020 (rather than April 2, 2020, as suggested in previous guidance), and will remain in effect until December 31, 2020. Delayed Penalties for Noncompliance: Until April 30, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor will not enforce the penalty ... 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
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Provides Resources for Small Businesses During COVID-19
Drew Eckl & Farnham is pleased to be able to pass along information on how to access the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Resource & Relief Info for Small Businesses during COVID-19. We will provide more targeted information for businesses in the near future. Visit U.S. Chamber of Commerce ... Continue Reading
Preparing for COVID-19 Related First Party Property Claims – Georgia: Edition 2
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 Civil Authority Coverage. Coverage Provision – Civil Authority As we mentioned in Edition No. 1 of our COVID-19 coverage issues update, insureds may cite to Civil Authority ... Continue Reading
Preparing for COVID-19 Related First Party Property Claims for Georgia: Edition 1
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