Dallas Austin

This blog marks our 100th since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020.  What began as our quarantine project—reviewing and posting countless city and county face covering and stay-at-home orders to help our clients navigate the complex web of requirements—has somehow morphed into a series of articles about the legal, practical and ethical ramifications of operating a business or just surviving through a modern-day pandemic. Looking back over the last 100 blogs, it is clear life has changed dramatically since our first blog. When the COVID pandemic was in its viral infancy, dete

The Texas Legislature is set to end the session on May 31, 2021.  The following are three bills which could be of interest to contractors and construction companies. 1.    Protections from Pandemic Liability Several bills have been filed in both the house and Senate related shielding business from liability associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. HB 3 is currently pending in the House Committee and would provide liability protections for businesses operating during a pandemic so long as the business “knew of the risk of exposure or potential exposure, … made a reasonable effort to comply

The pandemic has taken the world by storm, U.S. insurers being no exception. As a result of the onslaught of business interruption claims and litigation expenses, insurance companies are revisiting and, in a few instances, rewriting some of the language in their policies. The insurers’ ultimate goal in tweaking the policies is to reduce future exposure associated with pandemic-related claims and to reduce their expenses in defending declinations of coverage. Following the SARS epidemic in 2003, many insurers began appending a virus or communicable disease exclusionary endorsement to first-pa

While the Payment Protection Plan (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) have stolen the media spotlight, other financial incentives for employers to retain employees during the ongoing pandemic abound.  In the recently enacted 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, one such incentive, the employment retention credit, has received a new lease on life.  First, a brief history about the credit during the pandemic. Under the initial COVID-19 stimulus act, the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) signed into law a mere 12 months ago, eligible businesse

Now that Governor Abbott has opened up the State of Texas and many businesses are re-opening, keeping employees in the know about ongoing COVID-related policies and protocols is critical. The office and/or the job site looks different than when many employees last worked there over one year ago.  Ongoing education will help maintain a safe workplace and allow employees to feel comfortable returning to the physical workplace.  Here are 3 tips for educating employees on COVID-related changes to policy or protocol while or even after your business re-opens. 1.    Consistently Review and Updat