Please Support SB 3049

Dear Legislator:

There are a growing number of COVID-19 related lawsuits. Some personal injury lawyers view individuals exposed to COVID-19 as a vast new pool of plaintiffs. They see healthcare providers, businesses, non-profits, charitable, and religious organizations that aid in the response effort or provide essential services as defendants to cast blame. The first lawsuits targeting healthcare providers, employers, retailers, and other businesses have been filed. Many more are to come. Legislation can avoid a crippling surge of coronavirus lawsuits that will further strain businesses and the economy.

I respectfully encourage you to support SB 3049, the Mississippi Back-To-Business Liability Assurance Act, to preserve both justice and economic recovery in Mississippi by enacting reasonable safeguards against frivolous COVID-19-related claims. Businesses are doing their absolute best to follow public health guidance guidelines. Some aspects of personal behavior by some Mississippians are beyond their control. Despite their absolute best stewardship efforts, businesses are still unable to find refuge from claims that could close their doors forever.

I am asking you to please act to protect Mississippians against claims which do not allege willful or intentional misconduct. It is good public policy to give our courts clear direction and to distinguish valid claims from meritless lawsuits in this unprecedented time. Many of Mississippi’s employers are concerned that they may not survive the pandemic and are dealing with a crisis through no fault of their own. They are doing everything possible to remain open to serve their customers. Therefore, we need your help to enact SB 3049 to set reasonable parameters for businesses that follow public health guidelines and state plans to protect its employees, which will provide clarity for all concerned. Thank you for your leadership and service, and for your willingness to listen to my concerns.