Coronavirus Lawsuits Against Negligent Businesses

The COVID-19 epidemic has significantly impacted our lives, schools, offices, manufacturers, small and large corporations all over the world have had to change their policies and adapt to the new reality. However, some businesses have acted negligently, placing more importance on profits than safety and therefore endangering the lives of employees and clients. As the outbreak continues, those who are at risk of an infection or who have lost a loved one have filed lawsuits against entities who are to blame for their damages. Filing a wrongful death or work injury lawsuit is not a simple task. A wrongful death lawyer is necessary to establish if the case is valid and who is at fault for the damages, as is the case for a lawsuit against an employer. Even after the outbreak is controlled, we will probably see many businesses pressured to change how they take care of employees and customers.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Wrongful death suits have been filed by family members of people who contracted the disease aboard a cruise, such as the Princess Cruise Lines. A lawsuit filed in Texas claims that the cruise company failed to inform her and her husband about previous passengers that were aboard the cruise who tested positive for COVID-19 or who had symptoms of COVID-19. After several passengers showed symptoms of the disease they were quarantined inside the ship and couldn’t leave. Her husband was infected with COVID-19 and showed severe symptoms, the medical crew gave him cold medicine but didn’t advise them to leave the ship and seek medical treatment. Once they were able to leave the husband passed away at a hospital due to complications from the virus. The lawsuit claims that Princess Cruise Lines failed to inform passengers about previous infections and did not take the necessary safety measures to prevent future infections or to treat passengers who contracted the disease.

Negligent Employers

Amid the Coronavirus outbreak, families who have lost loved ones have filed wrongful death suits against employers and other entities claiming that they have failed to take the necessary safety precautions to avoid the spread of the disease. The family of a Walmart employee sued the company, citing that they did not notify store workers about other employees being infected, they did not provide the necessary material to protect themselves such as latex gloves and masks. The store also failed to apply social distancing measures and quarantining employees that were exposed to the virus. Employers are obligated by law to provide a safe environment to work in, the lawsuit states that Walmart failed to do so and their actions resulted in employees contracting COVID-19 and passing away due to complications from the disease.

Meat processing plants across the country have been under the spotlight for not providing a safe workplace that prevents the spread of the virus. Such is the case of a plant in South Dakota, where a worker accuses the company of not providing enough equipment to prevent the spread of the virus. Their working conditions remain the same as before the pandemic, they work very close to each other in order to process meat as fast as possible, and this puts their lives at risk just for the company to earn more profits. Not only that, but whistleblowers inside the company state that many workers are afraid of getting sick and taking days off from work because this counts as negative points against them which could result in them being laid off. The lawsuit does not seek monetary damages but is asking for a change in company policies and the necessary equipment and procedures to prevent the spread of the disease and keep workers healthy and safe.

Class Action Lawsuits

COVID-19 can be spread easily in nursing homes if safety precautions are not taken. A nursing home in Chicago is facing a class action lawsuit stating that their negligence caused over 200 residents to contract the virus. The lawsuit claims that the nursing home facility did not take proper precautions to prevent the spread of the disease and save lives. The lawsuit also alleges that employees did not wear gloves or face masks and did not practice social distancing. Negligent actions by such institutions can cause fatal injuries, especially for vulnerable people such as those living in nursing homes.

If you believe a party has been negligent in keeping employees and customers safe from a COVID-19 infection, talk with a legal expert to discuss what your options and if filing a lawsuit is the best course to hold them accountable for their actions.