On May 5, 2020, the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform released a poll showing that Americans across the political spectrum believe that employers must have protections from COVID-related lawsuits as they make decisions about safely and sustainably reopening their businesses.
More than 6-in-10 Americans say Congress should extend liability protections to employers. Specific protections show even higher support:
- 84% of Americans agree that essential businesses, like grocery stores and pharmacies, should be protected from coronavirus-related lawsuits.
- 82% agree that, aside from cases of gross negligence, employers who follow public health guidelines to protect their customers should be shielded from lawsuits.
“The global pandemic has caused tremendous economic harm to our nation,” said Harold Kim, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform. “As employers plan to reopen safely and sustainably, the last thing they need is to face a financially crippling lawsuit despite their best effort to comply with public health guidelines.”
ICYMI Chamber Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley discussed liability protections on NPR.
“We’re not asking for some type of immunity, we’re asking for a safe harbor,” Bradley said. “No one wants to protect bad actors here, but businesses that are trying to do the right things shouldn’t be second-guessed a year later in a court of law.”