unless it protects business owners from lawsuits related to COVID-19 exposure, sparking a lobbying frenzy from business groups hoping to get their industry or priority into the bill.
Industry groups representing doctors, manufacturers and business owners are rushing to fill the void. Generally, they’re seeking a “higher bar” for allowing employees, customers or patients to sue a business owner if they are exposed to or contract COVID-19 while at work. They say they don’t want blanket immunity from lawsuits — a chief criticism from Democrats.
Democrats have been dismissive of liability protections, saying that employers don’t need any further protection. They are pushing for more worker protections to ensure they feel safe if they go back to work.Tort reform has long divided the parties, with Republicans and their business allies pushing for greater protections from what they call frivolous lawsuits. Democrats have typically opposed such measures, favoring allowing consumers and workers to go to court when they think it is necessary.
Medical groups representing physicians say they need protection from lawsuits because they’re facing new risks, such as being blamed for. They’re also providing care outside of their regular area of expertise and facing a shortage of equipment, such as ventilators, potentially forcing them to ration care. And doctors treating non-COVID-19 patients are making diagnoses during virtual appointments instead of during in-person visits.
The association wants to ensure that employers can’t be sued over products they are making for the first time — such as factories that changed their lines to produce personal protective equipment — or for collecting temperatures or contact-tracing information from employees.The top priority of the National Federation of Independent Business, which advocates for small business, is that employees who contract COVID-19 at work go through the workers’ compensation system — not a lawsuit.
Rep. Michael R. Turner plans to introduce a bill that would protect employers from a lawsuit from an employee who catches COVID-19 after returning to work as long as the employer is following state and federal laws. It would also provide unemployment protection to employees. If employees feel unsafe in their working conditions, they will be allowed to leave their job and, in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits, their departure will be “through no fault of their own.
I wish twitter had a ‘disgusted’ button
6 more months of Moscow mitch!
McConnell is still and will always be as crooked as they come. MitchMcCrooked
That Moscow Mitch he is such an innovating thinker I like he re-election slogan '$$$ for legislation'
Out tort system is out of control.
Corporations will have fewer medical debts from coronavirus COVID19 than Americans will. Thanks, MoscowMitch senatemajldr
Competence protects business.
The Blue States giveth, what Mitch and his Red State cronies taketh-away. This guy is a domestic terrorist, he must be investigated for treason. We have seen enough and are past the point of being patient. The Government is broken. The Matrix is melting down. Glitch. NSAGov
Did not expect McConnell's next project would be to dismantle tort law in America
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