Chamber of Commerce Calls Possible Exclusion of Liability Protections From Relief Package 'An Enormous Mistake'
"It is impossible to understate what an enormous mistake it would be to exclude temporary liability protections from the next coronavirus relief package. The entire business community, universities and colleges, and local school boards across the country are all united in support for a liability safe harbor for those who adhere to public health guidelines. Inclusion of a safe harbor is critical to reopening schools and restoring our economy."
Yesterday, the
The letter stated: "COVID-19-related lawsuits and their consequent exorbitant legal costs could deter entities from reopening and could ultimately cripple businesses, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations both large and small. Furthermore, absent the proposed liability protections, many frontline healthcare workers and facilities, as well as manufacturers of critical personal protective equipment, would be punished for their efforts in the form of costly lawsuits."
* * *
To: The Members of the
The undersigned organizations urge you to support the timely, targeted, and temporary liability relief provisions contained in S. 4317, the "SAFE TO WORK Act." These crucial protections would safeguard healthcare workers, providers, and facilities, as well as businesses, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions against unfair lawsuits so they can continue to contribute to a safe and effective economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation is critically needed and should be enacted as soon as possible. To that end, we strongly urge you to support the inclusion of these provisions in a Phase IV COVID-19 relief package.
Healthcare workers and facilities continue to work tirelessly to protect us from COVID-19 and provide care and treatment to those who become ill. Likewise, businesses and non-profit organizations of all types and sizes continue to adapt in incredible ways to safely provide their communities with much-needed goods and services, in addition to keeping workers employed and the American economy afloat. But, as those workers and businesses keep our communities safe and provided for, our members and constituencies remain concerned that, despite doing their best to follow applicable government guidelines, they will be forced to defend against an onslaught of frivolous lawsuits. Unfortunately, this concern has already begun to materialize.
COVID-19-related lawsuits and their consequent exorbitant legal costs could deter entities from reopening and could ultimately cripple businesses, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations both large and small. Furthermore, absent the proposed liability protections, many frontline healthcare workers and facilities, as well as manufacturers of critical personal protective equipment, would be punished for their efforts in the form of costly lawsuits.
The temporary and targeted liability relief provisions contained in S. 4317 are balanced and would ensure that unfair lawsuits against those who work to comply with applicable governmental guidelines do not impede the American people's health, social, and economic recovery. Importantly, the protections contained in this legislation are limited in duration and scope. They are not permanent changes to federal law. Furthermore, they allow states to provide additional protections if they so choose and, critically, preserve reasonable recourse for those harmed by truly bad actors.
In the wake of prior crises,
Sincerely,
AdvaMed -
Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
Airlines for America
America's SBDC
American Beverage Licensees (ABL)
American Trucking Associations (ATA)
Argentum
Associated Wire Rope Fabricators
Billings
Biocom -
Bowling Centers Association of
Business Roundtable
Central Fort Bend Chamber
Chamber Of Commerce Of
Chamber of Shipping of America
Chehalem Chamber of Commerce
Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry
Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN)
Committee of 100 for Economic Development
Construction Industry Round Table
Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers
Explore
FMI -
Forum for Community Leaders
Franchise Business Services
Georgia Retailers
Greater
Heating, Air-conditioning, &
Hospitality
Hospitality
Independent Electrical Contractors
ISSA -
Job Creators Network
Kentucky Travel Industry Association
Leading Builders of America
LeadingAge
LeadingAge Texas
Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch
Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS(R)
NFIB
North
North Myrtle Beach Chamber/CVB
Pennsylvania
PIA MidAmerica
PINE (
Plumbing Manufacturers International
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association
Printing & Imaging Association of
Printing Industries Alliance
Printing Industries Association, Inc. of
Printing Industry Midwest
PRINTING United Alliance
Retail Merchants of
Round
Security Hardware Distributors Association
Southern Oregon Solutions
State Chamber of Oklahoma
TechNet
Texans for Lawsuit Reform
The American Waterways Operators
The Chamber Grand Forks /
The
The Printing Industry of the
The Real Estate Roundtable
Tulsa Regional Chamber
Wisconsin Independent Businesses
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce
Worldwide ERC(R)
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