Utah lawmakers and Gov. Gary Herbert are pushing to get some parts of Utah’s economy back to work starting May 1. A bill set for debate when Utah lawmakers re-convene in their special session later this week offers some protection to businesses that reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic.
SB3007, sponsored by Sen. Kirk Cullimore, R-Draper, shields businesses from civil lawsuits if their customers contract the coronavirus on their premises.
“A lot of businesses have asked for this,” says Cullimore. “Most businesses are going to do everything they can to make sure their customers are safe, but we want to take away the threat of a lawsuit.”
Cullimore says the bill will likely benefit mostly restaurants, bars, theaters and retail establishments. The protection from a lawsuit does not extend to businesses that willfully put customers in harm’s way.
“Most businesses are going to do everything they can to make sure their customers are safe, but if they unintentionally deviate from guidelines, does that expose you to legal liability?” he asked.
Cullimore, an attorney by profession, says he believes a personal injury claim from the coronavirus would be a hard case to make, but he thinks not providing these kinds of protections would hamper the ability of businesses to recover from the virus outbreak.
“We had some businesses express a concern about this issue. Some are saying it’s a shame we have to run a bill like this. But, if the possibility of a lawsuit is out there, then it could be an obstacle to businesses reopening,” said Cullimore.
