Quote of the day
“There has to be a forum to present the legislation, but we’re ready to go.”
Florida state Sen. Jeff Brandes, regarding lawmakers’ response to legal liability that could grow out of the pandemic
Healthcare, business groups have GOP support in push for coronavirus lawsuit limits in Florida
In Florida, industry groups are stepping up their push to protect businesses, health care providers and nursing homes from coronavirus-related lawsuits. The state’s trial lawyer organization is pushing back. Tallahassee Democrat
Kansas City region has two of nation’s largest virus clusters
The Kansas City region is home to two of the largest clusters of coronavirus cases in the US, one at a correctional facility and the other at a meat processing plant. The metro region recorded 150 deaths since March 12, one of which involving a Kansas City nurse whose family has filed a workers’ compensation claim. Kansas City Star
Federal government employment: COVID-19 withdrawal options from TSPs
Officials at the federal government’s retirement savings program this week discussed with participants how they can access money from their accounts if they have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, the House this week unveiled a $3 trillion coronavirus response bill, which includes creating a presumption of workplace causation for coronavirus diagnoses for employees whose duties require “substantial contact” with the public. Government Executive
Two Virginia lawyers say state is more employee-friendly
Two Augusta County, Virginia lawyers say the state has become more friendly to employees who are injured on the job, including those who contract coronavirus. The point to an executive order on the governor’s desk that would create a presumption that if a first responder or healthcare provider contracts the virus, it was caused by the employment. NBC29
North Carolina bill could change workers’ compensation during outbreak
A North Carolina House bill that has bipartisan support covers first responders, healthcare and essential service employees; it also would put $5 million away for workers’ compensation claims filed by government employees. The bill is meeting resistance by the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association, which says the rebuttable presumption would be a threat to the workers’ compensation system. WCTI