Georgia Governor Passes Order Altering Inspection Regulations for Construction of Hospitals and Other Projects During COVID-19 Emergency
4/8/20
By: Tom Ward
On March 30, 2020, Governor Brian Kemp issued an executive order that applies to the plan review and inspection requirements for the construction of hospitals, ambulatory health care centers, nursing homes, jails, penal institutions, airports, buildings or …
Ready Camera One: Remote Litigation in the Era of Social Distancing
4/7/20
By: Jennifer Adair, Jennifer Markowski and Andy Treese
Evaluating claims to move them towards resolution or trial is the lifeblood of a defense practice. This typically requires direct interaction with a plaintiff and key witnesses, either at deposition (to hear …
Plaintiffs and Lawmakers Raise Bad Faith Issues in COVID-19 Claims
4/3/20
By: Adrianna Michalska and Eric Retter
Every American is reminded daily that Coronavirus
spreads easily and quickly. So has the impact on the insurance industry. How
fast? Less than a month after the first U.S. death attributed to the virus …
Telemedicine in a Time of Crisis
3/31/20
By: Shaun Daugherty
Social distancing has become a new phrase in our lexicon which has specific meaning and pervasive general understanding within the population. Telemedicine seems like the ideal format for delivery of certain medical services during the emergency period …
Navigating Insurance Coverage Questions in the Age of COVID-19
3/30/20
By: Katie Cusack
It is no secret that concerns about
coronavirus and COVID-19 have impacted tens of thousands of businesses across
the world. In many industries, its
effects are novel, and many businesses are unsure of what their obligations are
…
The New CARES Act Allows Pandemic Victims to Borrow from Their 401(k)s and IRAs Without Penalty and Defer Required Minimum Distributions
3/30/20
By: Greg Fayard
The federal Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law March 27, 2020, includes retirement tax relief for victims of the pandemic—namely victims’ 401(k)s and IRAs.
Under section 2202 of the $2 Trillion law …
Local Governments Face First Amendment Challenges to Coronavirus Emergency Orders
3/27/20
By: Andy Treese

Can the government ban public gatherings, church services, political rallies, or protests during a global pandemic? The question isn’t hypothetical. Federal, state and local officials across the United States are struggling to prepare appropriate emergency orders targeted …
Coverage for unclean hands? Plaintiffs Say Manufacturer Misrepresented Sanitizer’s Effect on Coronavirus
3/25/20
By: Renata Hoddinott and Barry Miller

On March 23 FMG presented the webinar Navigating Coverage Issues Arising from COVID-19. Presenters Marc Shrake, Erin Lamb, and Barry Miller discussed four lawsuits that already have been filed alleging claims related to coronavirus.…
UPDATE: City of Atlanta’s COVID-19 Shut-Down Order Revised to Allow All Construction to Proceed
3/25/20
By: Jake Carroll

The Associated General Contractors of Georgia, Inc. reports that a corrected executive order has been issued by The Office of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms designating all construction as “Essential Infrastructure.” The original executive order limited “Essential Infrastructure” …
City of Atlanta’s COVID-19 Shut-Down Order Impacts Certain Construction Projects
3/24/20
By: Jake Carroll

Executive Order Number 2020-21 (“Shut-Down Order”) was issued by Kiesha Lance Bottoms, the Mayor of Atlanta, on March 23, 2020 at 8:49PM. Atlanta’s Shut-Down Order is more restrictive than similar orders seen in Florida (with broader exceptions …
Facing Increased Cyber Threats Against Legal and Accounting Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic
3/24/20
By: Renata Hoddinott

Millions around the world have had their daily routines disrupted and a wide variety of companies are participating in the largest “work from home” mobilization in history. While the ability for professionals to work remotely is key …
Business Continuity Plans in the Age of Coronavirus
3/23/20
By: Jennifer Weatherup

As the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has caused unprecedented disruptions, including a precipitous decline in the stock market, it is increasingly important for broker-dealers to prepare plans which will allow them to fulfill their responsibilities to customers and …