By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
A special legislative session might be called to shield Missouri businesses from what some call opportunistic lawsuits filed due to COVID-19.
St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Patt Lilly says businesses reopening after the lifting of coronavirus restrictions worry about whether they could face lawsuits from customers or employees, even if it is difficult to confidently identify where someone contracts the virus.
“For employers, it puts them in a delicate position when they need to get their businesses started, they need to get employees back in the office or on the road, whatever the case may be, and then potentially they become liable,” Lilly tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.
Lilly says he understands the balancing act lawmakers face in trying to get the economy started again while still protecting the rights of individuals with legitimate claims.
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce has asked Governor Mike Parson to call a special session on the issue and the governor says he’s giving the request serious consideration. Lilly supports the request.
Lilly says many objecting to limiting liability exposure often blow potential problems out of proportion.
“It’s kind of like, well, what if this, what if that? The truth is that today most liability issues have been fairly well adjudicated over time,” according to Lilly.
Lilly says the request might seem odd, except in light of current circumstances.
“I think it’s an issue like so many things that has come up that we just never thought about, because we’ve never been in a circumstance like we’ve been in the last several months,” according to Lilly. “I think it’s an issue. I think that they’re trying to get ahead of it a little bit before claims are beginning to be filed.”