Many of us are trying to deal with the coronavirus pandemic the best that we can. Employers have unique concerns associated with the pandemic, and a qualified Houston business interruption lawyer can help provide much-needed guidance during this difficult time. From advising employers on how to respond when an employee tests positive for coronavirus to counseling employees who are afraid of catching it on the job, attorneys are working diligently to help clients navigate the new legal issues posed by the rapid spreading of COVID-19 across the country.
Like many other firms, West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD has created multidisciplinary task forces in order to provide assistance to our clients in order to successfully handle the host of issues posed by the pandemic.
While we advise our clients, we are also grappling with the significant impacts of coronavirus on our own operations, like needing to close offices or requiring that our employees work remotely. That means we understand what you’re going through and want to help any way we can.
Just like you, we are bracing for the long-term economic impacts of the pandemic, and this has led to a demand in legal services as other employers are trying to handle the unprecedented complexities of the pandemic.
Assisting Employers during COVID-19
Our legal team understands that our clients need help with an array of business issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have created unique task forces dedicated to handling coronavirus-related claims and cases because our firm has been inundated with questions and concerns from employers and companies across Texas. We understand there is a real and immediate need by our clients for necessary information in order to properly address these unusual circumstances in real-time.
Many companies have had questions about how to treat employees who demonstrate symptoms of coronavirus or have been exposed to others diagnosed with COVID-19. We recommend that employers ensure that they are taking necessary actions in accordance with the latest guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention when determining which employees should be required to self-quarantine.
If a company decides that an employee should stay away from the workplace, we suggest that the employer first makes sure that they are in compliance with other applicable laws, including the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and state laws regarding paid sick leave.
Under the FMLA, all employers with more than 50 employees within 75 miles of the worksite are required to provide employees with protected, unpaid leave for certain medical and family reasons. Employees who take leave under FMLA have a right to obtain the same health coverage from their employers available to them before taking leave.
Coronavirus Employer Plans
We are also advising employers to create a plan in the event that employees are exposed to the coronavirus or are diagnosed with the novel disease. Afterall, a business cannot just sit by while concerns related to coronavirus are addressed without also addressing the issues in their own workplace.
A successful employer plan should include the following elements:
- A description of how the employer’s business will proceed in the event of a temporary closure, government shutdown, or furlough.
- A remote work policy that allows the continuation of operations while employees work from home.
- Additional cleaning or sanitization services, along with the provision of soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes to provide for a safe workspace.
- Continued communications with the workforce that provide up-to-date, accurate information on best practices and precautions for protecting oneself against coronavirus.
Houston Business Interruption Lawyer
Business owners who are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic need the help of an experienced legal team. The qualified Houston lawyers at West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD, understand that we are all going through a difficult time, and we want to do what we can to help our community. Contact us today for a free evaluation if your business has lost more than $250,000, you are currently facing bankruptcy, or you’re having difficulties negotiating with the insurance company. Contact us today at 713-840-7200 to discuss your case.
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