Legal issues around the health of employees are rising as businesses start reopening. Several states have passed laws expanding worker’s compensation to cover coronavirus, with several making the ability to file claims retroactive to March. States also created liability protections for some employers against employee lawsuits.
Liability protection is a major concern for employers. According to a recent survey conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a majority of small business owners worry about the possibility of a lawsuit related to the coronavirus. HVAC contractors are in an especially challenging situation as they send employees into people’s home, risking legal claims from both the technicians and the homeowners.