A state House committee will hold its first hearing today on bills to offer businesses more protections from COVID-19-related legal actions. We have more from Rick Pluta.
Business groups say the COVID-19 crisis has created new risks of lawsuits filed against them. Brian Calley with the Small Business Association of Michigan says the crisis is evolving and the rules change often. He says these bills would offer businesses certainty.
“As long as a business is following the rules then they have protection from frivolous lawsuits.”
But Donna Mackenzie with the Michigan Association for Justice – which represents trial lawyers – says these bills would make it harder to sue businesses that don’t follow laws and executive orders.
“And the employees and the public are not going to be kept safe.”
The bills are before the Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee.
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— Rick Pluta is the Managing Editor and Reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network. Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org
