In Nevada, due to an increase in infected individuals, certain small-scale businesses and casinos are anxious that their work might be shut down depending upon the frivolous lawsuits. Legislators have been asked by companies to modify legislation that restricts liability.
Increasing Corona Cases – Endangered Casinos
With an uncanny increase in fatality rate due to coronavirus, legislators are advised by the Nevada Resort Association for passing laws that safeguard casinos from frivolous lawsuits, which might close businesses with no adequate proof of harm or violation.
While writing to Steve Sisolak, the Governor of the state, the association described that it looked for “chosen and limited safe harbor for firms from liability which applies rigid public health instructions associated with the coronavirus transmission.”
The association also alerted in the writing that the frivolous lawsuits’ risk against casinos and hospitality is increasing daily. The industry officials, specifically, asked the Governor and legislators to explore different means for safeguarding and avoiding additional economic blows.
At the start of June, the majority of the casinos opened again with specific changes in the schedule by the evolution of the Governor’s reopening plans.
SOPs were followed in all places that were opened again in June, including checking temperature, social distancing, compulsory face marks, the prohibition of drinking and smoking at casinos, etc.
The association assured that they were giving their 100% and “working in good faith and responsibly,” and that the casinos must not be subjected to expensive lawsuits without evidence.
The legislators were advised by the association to pass laws that will enable them to pay heed towards the bad actors, such as firms not following the precautionary plans issued by the Governor and are unable to safeguard their clients and employees.
The casino owners have also been in distress. As stated by a lot of CEOs, Nevada was bleeding. The industry was crushed by the lockdowns, bringing it to a halt while making the road to recovery more challenging.
Annette Magnus, the executive director of Battle Born Progress, stated that her firm and the Nevada Workers Coalition are working together for restricting liability at the workplace.
Why Take Action Now?
The association had to take action since there were already some lawsuits put in against casinos in the state. But, little proof was available for supporting them, the association said.
On the other hand, according to some reports, casino employees and their families have been hospitalized. A minimum of 352 workers, being Culinary Workers Union Local 226’s part, and their family members have been hospitalized. Approximately 28 individuals have died due to the coronavirus, resulting in a rise in the fatality rate.
The National Federation of Independent Business has jumped into the battlefield, saying that small-scale businesses have legitimate reasons to stand against the cases that are making attempts to close them completely.
As stated by the federation, liability safety was necessary to ensure that small-scale businesses will keep on ticking over. The state director of the union, Randi Thompson, said:
“Quite frankly, nothing else the Legislature will consider is as important as making it as easy as possible for Silver State small-business owners to reopen, rehire, and regenerate our economy – nothing.”
National Federation of Independence Business – Randi Thompson
The problem with lawsuits associated with COVID-19 is that the chances of proving that an individual has contracted the virus on the place possessed by a casino or a business are meager. Despite that, lawyers would not feel reluctant to take legitimate actions on their customers’ behalf and exploring the ways to settle.
