Business Interruption Claims
Has Your Business Suffered Substantial Financial Losses Due to COVID-19? Is Your Insurance Provider Discouraging You from Pursuing Claims for Virus-Related Losses or Have they Denied Your Claim? Our Business Litigation Lawyers Can Help.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Businesses
Many businesses throughout Georgia have suffered substantial financial losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses across the country have been shut down in response to the spread of the virus. Various restrictions such as declarations of emergency, school closures, venue closures, shelter-in-place orders and lockdowns have been implemented in the U.S. to slow the progression of the virus and help flatten the curve. Restaurants, retail stores, car dealerships, theatres, gyms, physicians, and dentists have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic.
Insurance May Cover Business Losses From COVID-19
Businesses often have commercial property insurance policies that provide “business interruption” coverage for losses. This type of coverage may also be found in comprehensive package policies such as a business owner’s policy (BOP). Business interruption insurance is intended to reimburse businesses for financial losses suffered when external circumstances prevent or impair a business’s ability to earn income. Unfortunately, many business interruption policies expressly exclude coverage for losses caused by viruses or pandemics, but some policies do not. Whether a policy provides coverage for virus-related losses depends on the specific language of the policy.
Do I Need an Attorney?
Although some business interruption policies may cover virus-related losses, insurance companies have mounted a massive campaign to discourage businesses from pursuing these claims. Insurance companies have tried to persuade the public that virus-related losses are not covered under these types of policies. In some cases, insurance companies have preemptively informed customers that policies do not provide coverage even before a claim is filed. In other cases, insurance companies have quickly denied claims despite policy language that may provide coverage. Whether a claim is accepted or denied often depends on the information provided to the insurance company. An attorney can assist you in preparing your claim to maximize your chances of coverage, and an attorney can file a lawsuit against the insurance company if the claim is denied.
How will BBGA Help My Business?
BBGA is working with businesses to evaluate their potential claims and legal options. Our firm has evaluated numerous commercial property policies and determined that the some of these policies may cover business losses caused by COVID-19 and related government orders that have shuttered businesses or reduced operating capacity.
If a business owner has suffered financial loss as a result of COVID-19, our attorneys will conduct a free policy and case review to evaluate the business’s potential claim and will investigate whether legal action may help recover for the losses.
Our business attorneys offer legal services tailored to the unique needs of each individual business. The BBGA team has 40 years’ experience helping Georgia businesses protect their interests. We are prepared to use our vast knowledge, available resources, and skills to assist you.
If you’re a business owner and are interested in us reviewing a potential claim, please fill out our contact form or call us at (706) 354-4000 to tell us more about your circumstances.
Under most policies, businesses must notify their insurer of a potential claim within a very short time frame, so you must act promptly to preserve your claim.