Massachusetts Enacts Legislation Authorizing Virtual Notarization During COVID-19 State of Emergency
4/30/20
By: Jennifer Markowski
On April 27, 2020, Governor Baker signed into law An Act Providing for Virtual Notarization to Address Challenges Related to COVID-19 (the “Virtual Notarization Act” or the “Act”). In doing so, Massachusetts joins a number of other …
The Eight-Corners Rule is Deep in the Heart of Texas
4/28/20
By Kristin Inguslrud
Under the “eight-corners rule,” an insurer’s duty to defend is determined by comparing the allegations in the complaint with the terms and conditions of an insurance policy. Application of the eight-corners rule takes the allegations of the …
Governor Kemp Issues Comprehensive Executive Order Reopening And Impacting Businesses in Georgia
4/28/20
By: Andrew Kim
On April 23, 2020, Governor Brian Kemp issued an Executive Order that provides new and extensive guidance for businesses across Georgia, including restaurants, bowling alleys, theaters, childcare facilities and private social clubs, that are currently operating or …
Massachusetts: Relief Funds For Nursing Home & Other Long-term Care Facilities Fighting COVID-19
4/27/20
By: Janet Barringer and William Gildea
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced on April 27, 2020 the Commonwealth will allocate $130 Million to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities in Massachusetts to assist in the ongoing battle against COVID-19. The …
CARES Section 18006 Encourages Schools to Retain Staff to the “Greatest Extent Practicable”
4/27/20
By: Tia Combs
As many schools around the country make the final decision to remain closed for the school year, it may be tempting to cut back on staff to save money for what is predicted to be a historic …
Georgia’s first taste of COVID-19 lawsuits in long term care facilities
4/27/20
By: Shaun Daugherty
It has been highly publicized that long-term care facilities were devastated by the effects of COVID-19 on its residents and the filing of negligence suits against long-term care facilities in its wake was inevitable. Four such cases …
Insurer seeks declaration that COVID-19 claims for closure-related losses are not covered
4/27/20
By Barry Miller
Travelers Insurance Company wants a federal court to declare it has no duty to pay business income loss to a California law firm which claims that COVID-19 closures have caused it to lose revenue.
The
ABA Journal …
Federal District Court Slashes Attorney’s Fees Claim
4/24/20
By: Nancy Reimer and Adrianna Michalska
Finding “pervasive shortcomings” in its billing entries, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts recently slashed a law firm’s fee request by seventy percent. In Covidien LP and Covidien Holding Inc. v. …
Governor Kemp Issues Executive Order Reopening Certain Businesses in Georgia
4/22/20
By: Andrew Kim
On
April 20, 2020, Governor Kemp signed an Executive Order that will impact
certain businesses in Georgia. The new Executive Order reopens some businesses
previously closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic and removes certain
restrictions for other …
Stay at Home Orders Under Attack – What are the Limits and Rights of State Governments?
4/22/20
By: Marc Finkel
Faced with the uncertainty of navigating through a global pandemic, governors throughout the United States have issued a series of executive orders aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Many of these executive orders have …
State Governments Extend Limited Immunity to Healthcare Providers Engaged in Treatment of Coronavirus
4/17/20
By: Shaun Daugherty, Erin Lamb and Andy Treese
As doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other
healthcare providers have thrown themselves wholly into the challenge of
fighting the coronavirus, some have asked whether they are exposed to new or
additional …
Supreme Court to Hear Arguments Remotely, Including TCPA Constitutional Challenge
4/16/20
By: Matthew Foree
This week, the United States Supreme Court announced that it would hear oral arguments remotely for the first time in its history. The Court will hear oral arguments by telephone conference on certain dates in May in …