The head of Wisconsin’s leading small business association, NFIB, or the National Federation of Independent Business, commends the Assembly Committee on Health for recommending the full Assembly pass much needed liability reform for small businesses who comply with local, state and federal COVID-19 health requirements.  According to the statement by Bill G. Smith, NFIB State Director in Wisconsin, “Small business owners are deeply concerned they may become victims of lawsuits as they struggle with the financial challenges, regulatory burdens, and economic uncertainty associated with reopening and rebuilding their businesses.”

A recent NFIB survey found if economic conditions do not improve in the next six months, one in four small business owners will go out of business. That’s why they need Wisconsin lawmakers to act now. NFIB research shows that 70% of small businesses are very concerned about liability protections. Even though Wisconsin’s small business owners are doing everything they can to keep their customers and employees safe, simply fighting a lawsuit could put the that small business in danger. The last thing our hard-working mom and pop shops need is to fend off a costly frivolous lawsuit. It’s nothing but a shakedown intended for small business owners to quickly settle rather than take their case to court.

“Civil justice reform, and the importance of a civil liability system that is fair and predictable to all parties – plaintiff and defendant – is a top public policy priority which is strongly endorsed by small and independent business, and we commend Assembly Speaker Robin Vos for introducing Assembly Bill 1, and are grateful the committee took prompt action by recommending AB 1 for passage,” said Smith.