The state must protect essential businesses from being hit with coronavirus-related lawsuits, a legal reform group says.
Albany has already passed laws to protect doctors and medical workers from litigation as they treat patients with COVID-19.
But the Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and top legislators recommending they pass similar measures for essential businesses that could face lawsuits in the wake of the health crisis.
The group recommends protections be extended to manufacturers of coronavirus-related products — such as a distilleries making hand sanitizer, owners of hotels and schools that are used in the relief effort, drivers who make necessary deliveries, pharmacies, retailers, senior care facilities, municipalities and public authorities.
“Providing liability protections to our medical professionals, healthcare facilities, and to the valiant volunteers who have returned to medical service, was an important first step,” the group said in the letter.
“Taking additional steps to shield our economy from unique liability exposures and tabling any proposals that may further negatively affect businesses will help provide some certainty in these truly uncertain times.”
Lawyers previously told The Post that courts can expect to see a flood of coronavirus-related cases, including petitions to release at-risk inmates so they won’t be exposed to the virus and suits related to labor laws, insurance coverage, landlord-tenant matters and contract disputes.
The governor’s office didn’t immediately return a request for comment.