NFIB State Director Gregg Thompson released the following statement today concerning House Bill 118, the COVID-19 Liability Safe Harbor bill, which may go before the full Senate as early as Wednesday:
“Small businesses are always vulnerable to unfounded claims by trial lawyers hoping to make a quick buck. The fact of that matter is that the cost of defending itself against just one bogus lawsuit can be enough to put a small business out of business.
“Small business owners are rightly concerned about the potential for lawsuits that cynically use the coronavirus for material gain. That’s why we’re urging the House to pass HB 118, COVID -19 Liability Safe Harbor. House Bill 118 is commonsense legislation that would provide broad protections not only to small businesses but also to schools and government agencies when they’re down and trying to recover from the shutdown.
“If a business willfully ignores the rules, then it should be held accountable, but House Bill 118 would make it harder for trial lawyers to go after honest employers who followed the rules to keep their employees and customers safe.”
