Welcome to our COVID-19 (Coronavirus) resources page.  Below are links to Baker Sterchi blog posts, news and other resources related to COVID-19 issues.  Additional resources can be found on ALFA International's COVID-19 resources page.  Baker Sterchi is a member of ALFA's premier network of 150 member firms throughout the world. 

April 4, 2022 | Is a challenge to insurance premiums really a rate challenge in Missouri? Not even flowers will get an insured around the administrative review process. (Insurance Law Blog)

January 26, 2022 | 2021 Highlights from the Illinois Courts (Illinois Law Blog)

January 19, 2022 | 2021: A Whirlwind Year for Labor & Employment Law (Employment & Labor Law Blog)

December 21, 2021 | UPDATE: OSHA Reacts to COVID-19 Pandemic and Issues Vaccine-or-Testing Mandate: What Employers Need to Know (Employment & Labor Law Blog)

December 15, 2021 | Significant 2021 Financial Services Industry Decisions and Legislation (Financial Services Law Blog)

November 15, 2021 | OSHA Reacts to COVID-19 Pandemic and Issues Vaccine-or-Testing Mandate: What Employers Need to Know (Employment & Labor Law Blog)

November 4, 2021 | Job Seekers Using Vaccine Mandates to Stand Out from the Crowd: Potential Pitfalls for Employers (Employment & Labor Law Blog)

October 15, 2021 | DRI Publishes Brandy Simpson and Jessica Cozart Article on Employer Return-to-Work and Vaccine Mandates (Publications)

September 14, 2021 | Returning to Work Post-COVID – Handle with Care, Employers (Employment & Labor Law Blog)

August 31, 2021 | Oral Surgeons Get Drilled in Eighth Circuit Ruling on COVID Coverage (InsuranceLaw Blog)

July 27, 2021 | COVID Liability Bill Update - Governor Signs Legislation Shielding Healthcare Providers and Others From Most COVID-Related Lawsuits (Healthcare Law Blog)

July 27, 2021 | COVID Liability Bill Update - Governor Signs Legislation Shielding Healthcare Providers and Others From Most COVID-Related Lawsuits (Missouri Law Blog)

July 22, 2021 | EEOC Issues New Guidance for Employers on COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Workplace (Employment & Labor Law Blog)

June 10, 2021 | Policyholders Cannot Prevail with Pollution Exclusion | Western District of Missouri Grants Motion to Dismiss in Favor of Insurer on Claims of Losses from the COVID-19 Pandemic (Insurance Law Blog)

June 1, 2021 | COVID Liability Bill Heads to MissouriGovernor's Desk (Healthcare Law Blog)

April 19, 2021 | Illinois Courts Begin Weighing in on COVID-19 Exposure Claims (Illinois Law Blog)

February 16, 2021 | Do Illinois Businesses Face a Wave of Lawsuits Following the COVID-19 Pandemic? (Illinois Law Blog)

January 6, 2021 | Court Holds COVID-19 Government Closures Do Not Trigger Business Interruption Coverage (Insurance Law Blog)

December 30, 2020 | Single-Insurer MDLs Are Among Us - JPML Allows Centralization of COVID-19 Insurance Coverage Cases (Insurance Law Blog)

December 21, 2020 | Parson's Pandemic Protections for Providers – Governor Parson Encourages Tort Liability Legislation During COVID-19 State of Emergency (Healthcare Law Blog)

December 21, 2020 | Parson's Pandemic Protections for Providers – Governor Parson Encourages Tort Liability Legislation During COVID-19 State of Emergency (Missouri Law Blog)

November 25, 2020 | Greg Odom to Present to Members of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce on Illinois COVID-19 Executive Order No. 56 (Speaking Engagement)

November 12, 2020 | Greg Odom to Present to Members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce on Executive Order Number 56 (Speaking Engagement)

October 20, 2020 | Western District of Texas provides insureds with "out" to skirt federal jurisdiction in COVID-19 business interruption coverage cases (Insurance Law Blog)

September 14, 2020 | Federal Court Denies Motion to Dismiss Action for COVID-19 Related Losses under an All-Risk Policy (Insurance Law Blog)

September 2, 2020 | One [Insurance] Policy Does Not Fit All - JPML Limits Centralization of COVID-19 Insurance Coverage Cases...At This Time (Insurance Law Blog)

August 10, 2020 | Josh Davis to Present at PLRB Virtual Conference on COVID-19 Challenges (Speaking Engagement)

June 30, 2020 | Telehealth and Cybersecurity Amid the Pandemic (Healthcare Law Blog)

June 9, 2020 | COVID-19 and Possible Changes to Workers' Compensation Laws in Illinois and Missouri (Illinois Law Blog)

June 9, 2020 | COVID-19 and Possible Changes to Workers' Compensation Laws in Illinois and Missouri (Missouri Law Blog)

May 7, 2020 | COVID-19 Healthcare Heroics May Ironically Lead to Future Confrontations - Causation Issues (Part 4) (Healthcare Law Blog)

May 5, 2020 | COVID-19 Healthcare Heroics May Ironically Lead to Future Confrontations - State Executive Orders (Part 3) (Healthcare Law Blog)

May 1, 2020 | COVID-19 Healthcare Heroics May Ironically Lead to Future Confrontations – Crisis Standard of Care? (Part 2) (Healthcare Law Blog)

April 30, 2020 | Tips for Small Businesses Considering PPP Loan Relief (Financial Services Law Blog)

April 29, 2020 | COVID-19 Healthcare Heroics May Ironically Lead to Future Confrontations - Introduction (Part 1) (Healthcare Law Blog)

April 23, 2020 | Long-Term Effects on Long-Term Care Facilities: Potential Increased Litigation Due to COVID-19 (Healthcare Law Blog)

April 22, 2020 | HHS Relaxes Enforcement of HIPAA Noncompliance in Telehealth and Mobile Testing (Healthcare Law Blog)

April 20, 2020 | Insurance Claims in the time of COVID-19 (Insurance Law Blog)

April 17, 2020 | Odom to Speak on Covid-19 Business Impacts (Speaking Engagement)

April 10, 2020 | CLM Magazine Quotes Baker Sterchi Member Joshua Davis on COVID-19's Effect on Claims Handling (Firm News)

April 8, 2020 | Higgins to Serve as Panelist on Webinar with COVID-19 Business Disruptions Focus (Speaking Engagement)

April 1, 2020 | Small Business Covid-19 Primer (Employment & Labor Law Blog)

March 27, 2020 | Odom to Present to Illinois Businesses Regarding Legal Challenges Posed by Covid-19 (Speaking Engagement)

March 25, 2020 | UPDATE: Kansas Issues Updated Executive Order Prohibiting Foreclosures and Evictions (Kansas Law Blog)

March 20, 2020 | Kansas Temporarily Prohibits Foreclosures and Evictions (Kansas Law Blog)

News & Events

DRI Publishes Brandy Simpson and Jessica Cozart Article on Employer Return-to-Work and Vaccine Mandates

10.15.21 | Brandy Simpson and Jessica Cozart's article "Employer Return-to-Work and Vaccine Mandates: Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should" is featured in the October 2021 edition of Defense Research Institute's Women in the Law Committee newsletter.

Baker Sterchi Member Greg Odom to Present to Members of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce on Illinois COVID-19 Executive Order No. 56

11.25.20 | On December 1, Baker Sterchi Member Greg Odom will present a virtual program on Illinois COVID-19 Executive Order No. 56 as it relates to potential legal consequences for restaurants.

Baker Sterchi Member Greg Odom to Present to Members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce on Executive Order Number 56

11.12.20 | On November 16, Baker Sterchi Member Greg Odom will present a virtual program on Restaurants, Executive Order Number 56, and potential legal consequences. Hosted by the Marion Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs Committee, the presentation will focus on...

Baker Sterchi Member Joshua Davis to Present at PLRB Virtual Conference on COVID-19 Challenges

08.10.20 | Baker Sterchi Member Joshua Davis will co-present on the topic of "investigating claims and litigation during and following the COVID-19 pandemic" at an upcoming two-day virtual conference of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB).

Baker Sterchi Member Greg Odom to Speak on Covid-19 Business Impacts

04.17.20 | Baker Sterchi Member Greg Odom will be speaking on Covid-19 business impacts on Wednesday, April 22 at 9:30 AM CST. The webinar "Covid-19, the Law, and Your Business: A Legal Analysis of the Executive Orders Issued in Response to Covid-19"...

CLM Magazine Quotes Baker Sterchi Member Joshua Davis on COVID-19's Effect on Claims Handling

04.10.20 | Baker Sterchi Member Joshua Davis, St. Louis, was interviewed for an article in the April 2020 issue of CLM Magazine. The article "Virtual Adjusting Steps Into the Spotlight" offers insights and views from insurance and legal professionals regarding the effect of COVID-19 on claims handling.

Baker Sterchi Member Angela Higgins to Serve as Panelist on Webinar with COVID-19 Business Disruptions Focus

04.08.20 | On Tuesday, April 14th at 12:00 PM CST, Baker Sterchi Member Angela Higgins will serve as a panelist on a webinar focused on business disruptions occurring as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baker Sterchi Member Greg Odom to Present to Illinois Businesses Regarding Legal Challenges Posed by Covid-19

03.27.20 | Baker Sterchi Member Greg Odom will be presenting to businesses in southern Illinois to assist them in navigating the legal challenges posed by Covid-19 on April 2 and 3.

Blog Posts

Is a challenge to insurance premiums really a rate challenge in Missouri? Not even flowers will get an insured around the administrative review process.

04.04.22 | In the ongoing debate regarding insurance coverage issues arising from the COVID-19 era, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit recently determined that, under Missouri law, a challenge by an insured regarding premium adjustments is really a challenge to insurance rates, necessitating the claim to be made to the director of the Missouri Department of Insurance rather than through the courts.

TRO Puts Illinois Judicial Circuit Redistricting to a Halt

02.07.22 | Madison County State's Attorney, Thomas Haine, is successful at stalling Illinois Judicial Circuit redistricting as political parties navigate for position in the forthcoming Judicial election.

The Pandemic Continues to Impact Kansas City Area Trials and Verdicts

02.01.22 | Data released by the Greater Kansas City Jury Verdict Service about jury trials in 2021 show that defendants continue to win a majority of cases, though verdict amounts for prevailing plaintiffs have increased. Defendants prevailed on almost 60% of the claims decided by KC-area juries last year, but the number of claims decided by juries has not returned to pre-pandemic levels.

2021 Highlights from the Illinois Courts

01.26.22 | In this 2021 year-end summary, the Illinois Law Blog analyzes several of the most impactful decisions from the Illinois courts.

2021: A Whirlwind Year for Labor & Employment Law

01.19.22 | 2021 was a busy year in labor and employment law, with major cases concerning Covid-19, arbitration, accommodating disabilities, joint employer liability, and new statutory requirements for employers.

OSHA Reacts to COVID-19 Pandemic and Issues Vaccine-or-Testing Mandate: What Employers Need to Know (Update)

12.21.21 | OSHA published its highly-anticipated vaccine-or-testing mandate. Here's what you need to know to ensure your company complies.

Significant 2021 Financial Services Industry Decisions and Legislation

12.15.21 | In this 2021 year-end summary, the Financial Services Law Blog analyzes several of the most impactful financial services decisions and regulatory developments at both the national and local state level.

Job Seekers Using Vaccine Mandates to Stand Out from the Crowd: Potential Pitfalls for Employers

11.04.21 | New federal vaccine mandates are about to take effect, and job applicants have taken notice, updating resumes with their vaccine status. Employers must be aware of potential legal issues surrounding requests for accommodation based on a disability, or on religious beliefs.

Returning to Work Post-COVID - Handle with Care, Employers

09.14.21 | Return-to-work policies may affect different groups differently based on race and sex. Employers should carefully craft their policies to avoid potential Title VII or Equal Pay Act claims.

Oral Surgeons Get Drilled in Eighth Circuit Ruling on COVID Coverage

08.31.21 | The Eighth Circuit holds that temporary cessation of non-emergency procedures due to COVID-19 government restrictions does not constitute ‘direct physical losses' under insurance policy.

COVID Liability Bill Update - Governor Signs Legislation Shielding Healthcare Providers and Others From Most COVID-Related Lawsuits

07.27.21 | Missouri Governor Parson recently signed legislation that contains protections for healthcare providers, manufacturers, and other businesses from tort liability related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID Liability Bill Update - Governor Signs Legislation Shielding Healthcare Providers and Others From Most COVID-Related Lawsuits

07.27.21 | Missouri Governor Parson recently signed legislation that contains protections for healthcare providers, manufacturers, and other businesses from tort liability related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

EEOC Issues New Guidance for Employers on COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Workplace

07.22.21 | On May 28, 2021, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued new guidance seeking to clarify significant questions regarding mandating vaccines for employees, reasonable accommodation, and employee incentives for vaccination.

COVID Liability Bill Heads to Governor's Desk

06.01.21 | On May 14, less than one-half an hour before the 6:00 p.m. constitutional deadline, the Missouri House passed a COVID liability bill that now heads to Governor Mike Parson for signature. Should he sign the bill (SB 51), it will have an effective date of August 28, 2021.

Illinois Courts Begin Weighing in on COVID-19 Exposure Claims

04.19.21 | In February, we examined current and potential COVID-related lawsuits facing businesses in Illinois. Now, we are beginning to see court rulings in the pending lawsuits. In this post, we discuss recent rulings issued in lawsuits arising from direct exposure to COVID-19 and ones alleging "secondary exposure" to COVID-19. These rulings are important because they provide guidance on how courts may rule on related issues in future COVID-related lawsuits and the legal theories plaintiffs may allege to avoid dismissal in such lawsuits.

The Kansas City Area Saw Trials Plummet in 2020 Due to the Pandemic

02.08.21 | Little about 2020 was normal, and the number of trials in the Kansas City area was no exception. Data released by the Greater Kansas City Jury Verdict Service shows that the total number of jury trials in the Kansas City area was down over 65% in 2020 when compared to 2019.

Court Holds COVID-19 Government Closures Do Not Trigger Business Interruption Coverage

01.06.21 | A recent ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan has provided more guidance in predicting how COVID-19 related losses and litigation will be handled.

Single-Insurer MDLs Are Among Us - JPML Allows Centralization of COVID-19 Insurance Coverage Cases

12.30.20 | The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation initially ruled centralization was not appropriate for businesses seeking business interruption insurance coverage because of varying policy language. At that time, more than 450 cases were pending in Federal Courts—now there are over 700.

Parson's Pandemic Protections for Providers - Governor Parson Encourages Tort Liability Legislation During COVID-19 State of Emergency

12.21.20 | Governor Parson recently issued a written proclamation encouraging lawmakers to author new tort liability legislation insulating defendants from lawsuits arising out of the conditions in the state of emergency that have existed since March.

Parson's Pandemic Protections for Providers - Governor Parson Encourages Tort Liability Legislation During COVID-19 State of Emergency

12.21.20 | Governor Parson recently issued a written proclamation encouraging lawmakers to author new tort liability legislation insulating defendants from lawsuits arising out of the conditions in the state of emergency that have existed since March.

Federal Court Denies Motion to Dismiss Action for COVID-19 Related Losses under an All-Risk Policy

09.14.20 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri denies Defendant insurer's Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' breach of contract claims based the insurer's denial of coverage for COVID-19 related business income losses.

One [Insurance] Policy Does Not Fit All - JPML Limits Centralization of COVID-19 Insurance Coverage Cases...At This Time

09.02.20 | On August 12, 2020, in a much-anticipated ruling, The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation rejected two petitions to centralize hundreds of cases filed by the policyholders of businesses suffering losses from the Pandemic; however, the panel did indicate that centralization may certainly be appropriate for cases against single insurer policies.

COVID-19 and Possible Changes to Workers' Compensation Laws in Illinois and Missouri

06.09.20 | As employees slowly begin to return to work in "the new normal" following mandatory stay-at-home orders across the country, employers in Illinois and Missouri are busy establishing policies in compliance with opening orders and guidelines. To mitigate the risk of potential workers' compensation claims, employers should be aware of possible changes to workers' compensation laws due to COVID-19 exposure in the workplace.

COVID-19 and Possible Changes to Workers' Compensation Laws in Illinois and Missouri

06.09.20 | As employees slowly begin to return to work in "the new normal" following mandatory stay-at-home orders across the country, employers in Illinois and Missouri are busy establishing policies in compliance with opening orders and guidelines. To mitigate the risk of potential workers' compensation claims, employers should be aware of possible changes to workers' compensation laws due to COVID-19 exposure in the workplace.

COVID-19 Healthcare Heroics May Ironically Lead to Future Confrontations - Causation Issues (Part 4)

05.07.20 | As the U.S. deals with COVID-19, there are already signs of concern for our healthcare providers being attacked in the future. In part four of our series of blog articles delving into potential dangers for healthcare providers related to the COVID-19 global pandemic, we consider causation issues for healthcare associated COVID-19 infections.

COVID-19 Healthcare Heroics May Ironically Lead to Future Confrontations - State Executive Orders (Part 3)

05.05.20 | As the U.S. deals with COVID-19, there are already signs of concern for our healthcare providers being attacked in the future. In part three of our series of blog articles delving into potential dangers for healthcare providers related to the COVID-19 global pandemic, we consider the American Medical Association's push for states to pursue liability protections for healthcare professionals.

COVID-19 Healthcare Heroics May Ironically Lead to Future Confrontations - Crisis Standard of Care? (Part 2)

05.01.20 | As the U.S. deals with COVID-19, there are already signs of concern for our healthcare providers being attacked in the future. In part two of our series of blog articles delving into potential dangers for healthcare providers related to the COVID-19 global pandemic, we consider the "standard of care" for healthcare providers.

Tips for Small Businesses Considering PPP Loan Relief

04.30.20 | An additional $310 billion in funding for the Paycheck Protection Program was approved by the United States Legislature, and applications resumed this Monday. But many small businesses still have questions about how to use the money, how to qualify for forgiveness, and whether the PPP Loan Program is right for them.

COVID-19 Healthcare Heroics May Ironically Lead to Future Confrontations - Introduction (Part 1)

04.29.20 | As the United States makes its way into the third month of dealing with COVID-19, there are already signs of concern for our healthcare providers being attacked in the future. In part one of a series of blog articles, we delve into potential dangers for healthcare providers and offer observations about possible defense strategies.

Long-Term Effects on Long-Term Care Facilities: Potential Increased Litigation Due to COVID-19

04.23.20 | Long-term care facilities face many challenges, and the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be yet another significant challenge for these facilities. What can long-term care facilities do to prepare for potential litigation or avoid it altogether?

HHS Relaxes Enforcement of HIPAA Noncompliance in Telehealth and Mobile Testing

04.22.20 | The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") has announced a plan of enforcement discretion regarding telehealth communications and testing sites during the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency. As a result, HHS will not impose penalties for covered healthcare providers' noncompliance with HIPAA in connection with the good faith provision of telehealth during the emergency.

Small Business Covid-19 Primer

04.01.20 | Covid-19 has caused stress for both business owners and employees. In the past days, two new benefits are in effect from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020: emergency paid sick leave (EPSL) and paid FMLA leave (FMLA+).

UPDATE: Kansas Issues Updated Executive Order Prohibiting Foreclosures and Evictions

03.25.20 | As we previously reported, last week, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued Executive Order 20-06 prohibiting evictions, foreclosures and any related judicial proceedings in the State of Kansas through May 1, 2020. Now, Governor Kelly has issued Executive Order 20-10, which amends and supersedes the previous order and provides additional clarification on certain points

Kansas Temporarily Prohibits Foreclosures and Evictions

03.20.20 | In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued Executive Order 20-06 on March 17, 2020, prohibiting evictions, foreclosures and any related judicial proceedings in the State of Kansas through May 1, 2020.