Gibbons Law Alert

Gibbons Law Alert

Tagged: Coronavirus

Newly Passed Bills Boost NJ’s Healthcare Industry

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Posted in Healthcare

On March 20, 2020

The New Jersey Legislature worked quickly to send Governor Murphy a package of bills to address various issues related to the coronavirus outbreak. Governor Phil Murphy has already signed legislation (A3860 and A3862) to expand access to telehealth services and to allow professional and occupational licensing boards to expedite licensure of out-of-state professionals. Assembly Bill 3860 relaxes the existing telehealth requirement and allows practitioners to provide and bill for telemedicine. Specifically, for the duration of the coronavirus public health emergency, any New Jersey licensed healthcare practitioner will be authorized to provide and bill for all medically appropriate services using telemedicine and telehealth. A practitioner who is not licensed in New Jersey may provide healthcare services under the bill using telemedicine and telehealth, provided that: (1) the practitioner is licensed in another state; (2) the services provided by that practitioner are consistent with the practitioner’s authorized scope of practice; (3) the services provided are limited to services related to screening for, diagnosing, or treating COVID-19, unless the practitioner has a preexisting provider-patient relationship; and (4) if the encounter does not relate to COVID-19, the practitioner must advise that the practitioner is not authorized to provide services and recommends that the patient initiate a new telehealth encounter with a healthcare practitioner licensed in New Jersey. The bill...

Successful Crisis Management During a Pandemic

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Posted in General Litigation

On March 19, 2020

We are living in a moment that can only be described as a crisis on multiple fronts. While the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a situation like none other, our experience advising clients through past crisis situations provides guidance on how to handle critical decisions in an uncertain and unsettling environment in a time of chaos and panic. Past experience has taught us that a crisis situation can either become a distant bad memory or turn into a disaster. Failure to handle crisis management and key decisions effectively now and in the near future can lead to devastating consequences. There are common themes and basic strategies to any crisis which bear repeating. Keep in mind that decisions are made in real time. They are also made with imperfect information, and initial decisions are magnified one hundred fold. Don’t compound the problem. The first rule of crisis management is, “do not do anything to make it worse.” In responding to the coronavirus, that means, first and foremost, to stay healthy. You and your leadership, team, and employees cannot help anyone and get back to normal if they are sick, so do not take risks with anyone’s health. Remember that credibility is key. Be honest and direct, and don’t speculate in order to tell someone what you think...

Workplace Planning for Coronavirus Concerns

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Posted in Employee Benefits / Family Leave

On March 18, 2020

As coronavirus continues to spread in the United States, employers continue to inquire how they can safeguard employees’ health and well-being while ensuring the ability to maintain essential business operations. Our advice remains the same: The best way to prevent infection is to avoid exposure. Working from home for as many employees as possible is now the new normal for most businesses. In addition, employers large and small should take the time now to assess their policies and processes, addressing specific operational and human resources plans and issues in light of the current and evolving circumstances, as well as anticipated plans as a result of the pending Families First Coronavirus Response Act. On March 14, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” (H.R. 6201), which provides for a limited period of paid sick leave and expands the Family Medical Leave Act to provide an extended period of unpaid or partially paid leave for a public health emergency. The bill is now before the Senate, where it is expected to pass sometime this week. The bill contains several provisions that will impact employers with fewer than 500 employees. Employers should not make any changes to their policies and procedures until the bill is finalized...

The Coronavirus Pandemic and Your Business: How We Can Help – Litigation Issues That May Arise

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Posted in General Litigation

On March 18, 2020

A wide variety of issues are arising and are likely to arise in connection with, and in the aftermath of, the COVID-19 crisis. The Gibbons Commercial & Criminal Litigation Department is here to help, and can work with you to address these critical concerns. Breach of contract disputes stemming from the coronavirus situation are likely to be widespread. They are surfacing already and will continue to surface throughout commercial contexts and for numerous reasons, including the ever-changing landscape of market forces that are at play right now. One notable – and particularly relevant – contractual concept, force majeure, is going to be front and center. Force majeure provisions may excuse otherwise impermissible actions in certain extraordinary situations beyond the control of the party failing to perform. It is, therefore, critically important that contracts are reviewed both for the presence of (and particular language surrounding) such provisions and for any necessary notice requirements. Additionally, employment contracts are likely in jeopardy, which will inevitably lead to wrongful termination claims. Relatedly, you may need to enforce restrictive covenants – or fight their enforcement – in the aftermath of the crisis. Also likely to arise are supply chain disputes. People and companies will need goods and materials that are not going to be available, and businesses will have contracts...

The Coronavirus Pandemic and Your Business: How We Can Help – The Big Picture

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Posted in Crisis Communications

On March 18, 2020

The unprecedented scope of the response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically affected every facet of life and continues to impact our clients in a growing number of ways. Gibbons attorneys have been working closely with clients over the past weeks to navigate emergent, unexpected challenges in a wide range of areas, from the novel human resources issues that arise when an entire workforce is required to work remotely – or when workplaces or specific jobs within a workplace are not equipped for work-from-home arrangements – to perhaps first-time interactions with local, county, and state officials and regulators. Over the coming days, Gibbons will continue reaching out regularly to clients to let you know the various ways we can assist you with advice, counsel, best practices, and creative solutions for this turbulent situation, to help you ensure operational continuity and emerge from the current crisis. Please do not hesitate to contact Kevin G. Walsh, Co-Chair of the Gibbons Government & Regulatory Affairs Department, with any general questions regarding your legal obligations and options in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. More in the “Coronavirus and Your Business” Series: Insurance Coverage in the Age of COVID-19 Economic Loss Recovery/Minimization with State and Federal Programs Force Majeure Provisions in Contracts

Force Majeure Provisions in Contracts

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Posted in Transactional Real Estate and Leasing

On March 18, 2020

No one is able to predict how the coronavirus situation will play out or precisely how each of us might be impacted or for how long. It is possible your ability to perform various contractual obligations will be delayed. Many contracts protect parties against an inability to perform due to uncontrollable circumstances, at least in some situations, by inclusion of a so-called force majeure provision. This provision excuses certain behavior in certain situations determined to be beyond the control of the party failing to perform. Obviously, the text of the particular provision is critical to understanding what it says. We are writing to alert you that many force majeure provisions include a mandatory notice provision. If you don’t provide the required notice, you are estopped from raising force majeure as a defense against a claim arising out of your failure to perform. So if the coronavirus pandemic is interfering with your ability to perform contractual obligations, we urge you to review your contracts and deliver any required notices so as to protect yourself to the extent possible, and if your contract mandates that any other steps be taken to preserve the defense, take those steps as well. Gibbons stands ready to assist with these concerns. If you have any questions regarding force majeure provisions in...

Economic Loss Recovery/Minimization with State and Federal Programs

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Posted in Crisis Communications

On March 17, 2020

As it has successfully done for its clients in prior emergencies (e.g., Superstorm Sandy), a Gibbons interdisciplinary team will work with you to coordinate securing available assistance from state and federal sources. In doing so, Gibbons will also review with you any relevant insurance policies for coverage of any expenses or business income losses that may be sustained/incurred as a result of the COVID-19 national emergency. The Gibbons interdisciplinary team will advise you on the full range of state and federal programs being authorized by law, established, or expanded to assist businesses with losses related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Working with clients’ senior management teams, Gibbons will provide strategic advice on the internal measures to be initiated immediately in order to qualify and begin preparing applications for financial assistance from government agencies, including: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) The federal government’s $8.3 billion Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020 includes certain provisions that allow the SBA to administer loans connected with this crisis. In addition, the SBA is authorized to offer an additional $50 billion in low-interest loans to address losses caused by the pandemic and the response thereto. A maximum of $2 million can be awarded for economic support to small businesses facing a temporary loss of revenue as a...

Insurance Coverage in the Age of COVID-19

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Posted in Insurance

On March 17, 2020

As the coronavirus continues to dominate the news cycle, the actual (and anticipated) impact on business operations and business continuity has hijacked the attention of owners, managers, and C-suite executives at all levels and in all industries. Among the myriad issues to be resolved, one obvious question is the extent to which insurance coverage is available for business losses arising from this public health crisis, including reduction of business income, incurring of extra expenses, disruption of supply chains, event cancellations, and potential liability from stakeholder lawsuits. Some companies may have purchased specialized forms of insurance policies that are designed to provide specific coverage for losses suffered as a result of public health crises. However, the vast majority of companies will need to look to their traditional insurance policies – like property and directors and officers coverage – in order to obtain available insurance, if any, for these business related losses. As an initial matter, coverage for actual loss of business income and extra expense is typically part of a company’s property insurance policy and not separate, standalone coverage. Therefore, coverage for business income and related losses depends on demonstrating that these losses resulted from “physical loss” or “damage” to covered property. Coverage may also be available if civil authorities prohibit access to the Insured’s premises...

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