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Business Owners Join Lawsuit Against China

The economic hardship caused by COVID-19 is nothing to blink at.  In mid-March businesses all across the nation were forced to close their doors.  Grocery stores have been packed with panic shoppers and shelves have been emptied.  In fact, some food items have become relatively scarce – and not from a shortage of food.  Farmers are dealing with issues in the supply chain forcing them to dump out milk and plow over fresh vegetables.  The hardship bestowed on businesses is both immense and heartbreaking.

Class Action Lawsuit Against PRC

In mid-March of 2020, a group of individuals filed a class action lawsuit against the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and several PRC government entities such as the National Health Commission of the PRC, which is the administrative government body/executive department responsible for formulating health policies in mainland China.

The lawsuit claims that China knew of the lethality of COVID-19 yet refused to take the necessary actions early enough to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which then led to a global pandemic being declared.  The lawsuit includes millions of individuals and businesses with “injury, damage and loss related to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus”, including “discernible physical manifestations and injuries of trauma from the negligent conduct including, but not limited to physical pains, headaches, anxiety and insomnia.”

An Interrupted Supply Chain

You know the saying “don’t cry over spilled milk”?  The current climate has rendered that sentiment null and void.  Supply chains between farmers and manufacturers have been severely interrupted causing huge amounts of waste.  As restaurants and schools across the nation have been forced to close, farmers and ranchers are dealing with a surplus of fresh produce, dairy and meat that have limited shelf life.  And it’s not as simple as rerouting these large orders to grocery stores or food banks either.  The ramifications of COVID-19 have caused farmers and ranchers to have to pour away milk, plow over vegetable crops to prepare for the next harvest.

The National Cattlemen’s Association is estimating losses totaling around $13.6 billion.  The National Pork Producers Council is expecting about $5 billion in losses.  All of this as a direct result of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) global pandemic.

An Uncertain Future

While many states are beginning to reopen, they are doing so in phases to protect their residents from a sudden surge.  Many states are assessing the hospitalization and fatality rate to determine if the state is ready to reopen.  Once the determination has been made, phase one commences.  What does this mean?  It means that not only does phase one allow certain businesses to reopen, but that they must operate at a 50 percent capacity with additional rules and regulations in place to promote social distancing and good hygiene.  Business owners aren’t in the clear yet, even with a green light, either.  With fear still lingering in the air, customers may not be heading out in droves.

Businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19, including farms and those in the agricultural sector, are eligible to join the class action lawsuit filed against the PRC and various PRC government entities.

Experienced Class Action Attorney in Florida

If you or a loved one has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic, you may be eligible to join the class action lawsuit.  Contact an experienced class action attorney for representation you can rely on.  To join the lawsuit or to learn more about your legal options, contact Julie Rice and Affiliates by emailing juliericelaw@icloud.com or by messaging us on our Contact Us page.

COVID-19 Nursing Home Negligence

As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues its reign of terror across the globe, supplies have become limited and many are confined to their homes.  Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has recently extended the COVID-19 state of emergency through May 13th and extended the shelter in place order through April 30th.

While COVID-19 has impacted all age groups, is has become apparent that elderly individuals are one of the more vulnerable demographics along with those with underlying health conditions.  Nursing homes are becoming increasingly known as hotbeds for the coronavirus to infect the residents and staff at alarming rates.  With so many nursing homes being in the spotlight for the larger population of residents contracting coronavirus, what duty does the nursing home have to act reasonably to stop the potential spread of COVID-19?

COVID-19 and Georgia Nursing Homes

As of April 1st, almost two weeks ago, there were 47 nursing homes in Georgia that had reported outbreaks of COVID-19.  Pruitt-Health Grandview Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Athens, Georgia has recently reported that 10 of their residents have died of COVID-19 after testing positive for the novel coronavirus.  The facility continues to operate at a code red as the outbreak continues to wreak havoc on its residents and staff.

Nursing Home Residents are Owed a Duty of Care

Georgia nursing homes owe their residents a duty of reasonable care to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  The statistics show that elderly residents and those with underlying health conditions have a much greater risk of dying as a result of COVID-19.  The Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) has released protocols for nursing homes and long-term care facilities to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.  It also has released a set of protocols for the facilities to follow should a resident test positive for COVID-19.

When nursing homes fail to take appropriate measures to protect their residents from COVID-19, they may be acting negligently.  Don’t be afraid to take action.  Your loved one has rights and nursing home residents are entitled to enforce these rights without retribution, harassment, or retaliation.

Nursing Home Precautions You Should Expect

Nursing homes and long-term care facilities owe their residents a duty of care, which means implementing protocols to protect their residents.  The GDPH has issued the following protocols:

  • Restrict all visitors and non-essential health care workers with the exception of certain situation.
  • Cancel all communal dining and group activities.
  • Establish an appropriate social distancing infrastructure for residents and staff.
  • Implement active screening for residents.
  • Screen all staff at the beginning of their shift.
  • Establish a mechanism for staff to report their exposure if they work in several locations.
  • Reinforce adherence to infection prevention and control measures.
  • Consider implementing universal facemasks for HCP while in the facility. While this is ideal, according to GDPH, availability of masks must be considered.
  • Use Standard, Contact, and Droplet Precautions with eye protection when caring for residents with undiagnosed respiratory infection, unless the suspected diagnosis requires Airborne Precautions (i.e. tuberculosis).

COVID-19 Class Action Lawsuit

A class action lawsuit was filed against the People’s Republic of China on March 12th.  As the death toll rises, a group of individuals seek justice alleging that Chinese authorities “proverbially put their head in the sand” for their own “economic self-interest, thus sparking the global COVID-19 outbreak.”  The lawsuit claims that China knew of the lethality of the virus yet refused to take necessary action early enough to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which is now a global pandemic.  Despite being filed by three residents of Florida, it includes the millions of individuals and businesses with “injury, damage, and loss related to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.”

Experienced Nursing Home Attorney in Georgia

If you or a loved one has contracted COVID-19 (coronavirus) while in the care of a nursing home or long-term care facility in Georgia as a result of negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.  In addition to filing a suit against the care facility and/or various other parties, you may also be eligible to join the class action lawsuit filed against China.  To learn more about your options or about joining the class action lawsuit, contact Julie Rice & Affiliates by phone 770-865-8654, by email juliericelaw@icloud.com or by messaging us on our contact us page.

COVID-19: Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against China

As the death toll rises from COVID-19, many look to point fingers and assign blame.  Some took it a step further and filed a class action lawsuit against the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for causing this catastrophic, global pandemic.  As of 8:00 pm on Monday, March 23rd, there were 43,697 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States with 546 fatalities and rising.  The numbers are even more astonishing on a global scale with a worldwide total of 378,392 confirmed cases and a staggering 16,490 deaths.

In addition to the increasing threat COVID-19 poses and the ever-increasing death toll, many people are being displaced from their jobs, businesses are being forced to close their doors, and even schools are closing.  Many are left wondering about their financial future and their child’s education.  The novel coronavirus has yet to peak and already had huge ramifications for citizens of the United States, and throughout the globe.  The worst, we fear, is yet to come.

The individuals filing the class action lawsuit on Thursday, March 12th have filed against the PRC and several PRC government entities such as the National Health Commission of the PRC, which is the administrative government body/executive department responsible for formulating health policies in mainland China.  The plaintiffs allege that Chinese authorities “proverbially put their head in the sand” for their own “economic self-interest, thus sparking the global COVID-19 outbreak.”

The lawsuit claims that China knew of the lethality of COVID-19 yet refused to take necessary actions early enough to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.  Despite being filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida by several Florida residents (including a business), the lawsuit includes the millions of individuals and businesses with “injury, damage, and loss related to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus”, including “discernible physical manifestations and injuries of trauma from the negligent conduct, including, but not limited to physical pains, headaches, anxiety, and insomnia.”

What is COVID-19?

The COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.  The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus first identified during an outbreak in Wuhan, China.  The first instance of COVID-19 in the United States was reported on January 21st, 2020.

Prevention of COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus)

Wash your hands.  We can’t stress this enough – wash your hands.  Maintain social distancing of at least 6ft from other individuals.  Avoid touching your face, nose, mouth, etc. Routinely disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Stay home if you’re feeling unwell.  With COVID-19 being a respiratory infection, avoiding activities that weaken the lungs – such as smoking – is also recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Symptoms of COVID-19

As with many illnesses, symptoms can range from mild to severe.  Individuals with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should self-isolate and contact their medical provider (or COVID-19 information line) for guidance.  Those with underlying medical conditions and those with fever, cough or difficulty breathing should call their doctor or seek medical attention.

Keep in mind that symptoms generally take 2 – 14 days after exposure to develop.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

  • Fever
  • Dry cough
  • Tiredness
  • Shortness of breath

Experienced Class Action Attorney in Florida

If you or a loved one has been impacted by COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus), you’ll want an experienced class action attorney on your side.  To join the lawsuit or to learn more about your legal options, contact Julie Rice & Affiliates by emailing juliericelaw@icloud.com or by messaging us on our contact us page.

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