4/8/20
By: Tom Ward
On March 30, 2020, Governor Brian Kemp issued an executive order that applies to the plan review and inspection requirements for the construction of hospitals, ambulatory health care centers, nursing homes, jails, penal institutions, airports, buildings or …
U.S. Department of Labor Issues Temporary Regulations for Families First Coronavirus Response Act
4/8/20
By: Catherine Scott, Natalie Pulley and Gregory Blueford
On April 6, 2020, U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) published its most comprehensive interpretation of the paid leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “FFCRA”). These temporary regulations …
4/8/20
By: Tom Ward
Governor Brian Kemp recently passed an executive order allowing residential builders to immediately employ private inspectors to perform required plan reviews or inspections without having to wait out the time frames required by O.C.G.A. 8-2-26(g)(4).
The relevant …
Georgia Supreme Court Overrules Precedent on Attorney’s Fees for Counterclaimants
4/8/20
By: Jake Carroll
Georgia law permits the award of attorney’s fees to a claimant where the party defending the claim has “acted in bad faith” in making the contract, has been stubbornly litigious, or has caused the plaintiff unnecessary trouble …
COVID-19: Bankruptcy and its Impact on Managing Risk
4/7/20
By: Jake Carroll
In the wake of COVID-19 and the now-present economic uncertainty, individuals and companies may be considering the impacts of bankruptcy. While bankruptcy can offer certain protections, including delayed payments, discharge of some debts, and a general “fresh-start,” …
Ready Camera One: Remote Litigation in the Era of Social Distancing
4/7/20
By: Jennifer Adair, Jennifer Markowski and Andy Treese
Evaluating claims to move them towards resolution or trial is the lifeblood of a defense practice. This typically requires direct interaction with a plaintiff and key witnesses, either at deposition (to hear …
Federal Judge Refuses to Enjoin Kentucky Governor from Restricting Interstate Travel
4/6/20
By: Barry Miller
A federal judge has refused to halt enforcement of an order that directed Kentuckians not to travel outside the state for two weeks because of COVID-19.
Governor Andy Beshear issued the order on March 30. It makes …
Plaintiffs and Lawmakers Raise Bad Faith Issues in COVID-19 Claims
4/3/20
By: Adrianna Michalska and Eric Retter
Every American is reminded daily that Coronavirus spreads easily and quickly. So has the impact on the insurance industry. How fast? Less than a month after the first U.S. death attributed to the virus …
4/3/20
By: Catherine Scott and David Cole
When asserting race discrimination, many plaintiffs bring claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1981, which affords “[a]ll persons . . . the same right . . . to make and enforce contracts . . . as …
FMG Responds to Coronavirus Crisis with Multiple Client Resources
4/3/20
We know these are challenging times, but we want our clients and friends to know that FMG remains open for business and is here to help. Our lawyers and staff have worked tirelessly to provide a broad cross-section of capabilities …
4/2/20
By: Sean Riley
Governor Tom Wolf has issued an executive order closing all businesses in Pennsylvania that are not deemed to be “life-sustaining.” Residential and non-residential building construction, as well as utility subsystem, road and bridge construction are all specifically …
COVID-19: Protecting Those Who Protect Us
4/2/20
By: Parisa Saleki
The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 (Public Law 105–19) came into effect over two decades ago with a simple goal: promote volunteerism by limiting, and sometimes eliminating, a volunteer’s risk of tort liability. The recently enacted Coronavirus …