Tort Liability for Businesses During COVID-19

On June 18, 2020, the Gray Center co-sponsored a live webinar, “A Discussion on Tort Liability for Businesses During COVID-19,” in partnership with the Law and Economics Center at Antonin Scalia Law School. Risks of the COVID-19 spread create substantial uncertainty for businesses when deciding whether to open up and conduct business, especially as they try to identify their duties in preventing COVID-19 related injuries to employees and customers. Likewise, individuals are uncertain about what level of care they should expect from businesses. This subject is extremely complicated because it involves both federal and state issues, as well as tort law. Debate has begun about whether laws should be drafted which limit or expand the traditional rules of tort liability in light of the unique risks of doing business during a public health crisis.

The live webinar examined the economic and legal arguments for and against COVID-19-related business liability reform. Panelists included Timothy Lytton, Associate Dean for Research & Faculty Development, and Distinguished University Professor & Professor of Law, Georgia State University College of Law; David B. Rivkin, Partner at BakerHostetler, and the Gray Center’s Executive Director, Adam White. The panel was moderated by Donald J. Kochan, Incoming Professor of Law and Deputy Executive Director of the Law and Economics Center, Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. The video is available at: https://administrativestate.gmu.edu/events/a-discussion-on-tort-liability-for-businesses-during-covid-19/.

Featuring Donald J. Kochan, Timothy Lytton, David B. Rivkin, and Adam White.