PORTLAND, Maine Plans for a lawsuit against a Maine venue that hosted what became a “superspreader” wedding reception underscore the liability risks to small businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic and an uphill push by Republicans in Congress to give such outfits legal immunity.
Behemoths like Walmart and Tyson Foods, which have been the target of COVID-19-related lawsuits, can largely absorb any losses. But hundreds of negligence lawsuits have been filed across the country, with mom-and-pops most fearing the prospect of litigation that could put them under.
“They can end up losing even if they win a lawsuit,” said David Clough, of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, because costly litigation can bankrupt small businesses that don’t have deep pockets.
Insurers, nursing homes among those facing COVID-19 lawsuits
Associated Press
Print
Plans for a lawsuit against a Maine venue that hosted what became a superspreader wedding reception underscore the liability risks to small businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic and an uphill push by Republicans in Congress to give such outfits legal immunity.
Behemoths like Walmart and Tyson Foods, which have been the target of COVID-19-related lawsuits, can largely absorb any losses. But hundreds of negligence lawsuits have been filed across the country, with mom-and-pops most fearing the prospect of litigation that could put them under. They can end up losing even if they win a lawsuit, said David Clough, of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, because costly litigation can bankrupt small businesses that don t have deep pockets.
Dec 21, 2020
FILE In this March 30, 2020 file photograph, workers from an Amazon fulfillment center in Staten Island, N.Y., protest conditions over fears COVID-19 virus spread, at the company s warehouse in New York. Behemoths Amazon, Walmart and Tyson Foods, which have been the target of COVID-19-related lawsuits, can largely absorb any losses. But hundreds of negligence lawsuits have been filed across the country, with mom-and-pops most fearing the prospect of litigation that could put them under. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
PORTLAND, Maine Plans for a lawsuit against a Maine venue that hosted what became a “superspreader” wedding reception underscore the liability risks to small businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic and an uphill push by Republicans in Congress to give such outfits legal immunity.
2020/12/20 21:24 FILE A sign for the Big Moose Inn is seen Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, near Millinocket, Maine. The inn was the setting for an Aug. 7 wedding reception tha. FILE A sign for the Big Moose Inn is seen Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, near Millinocket, Maine. The inn was the setting for an Aug. 7 wedding reception that has since been linked to numerous cases of the coronavirus, and several deaths. Plans for a lawsuit against the Maine venue that hosted what became a super spreader wedding reception underscore the liability risks to small businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic and an uphill push by Republicans in Congress to give such outfits legal immunity. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)