In the short time the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified in December 2019 in China, the world is a much different place. As of June 23rd, more than 9.15 million cases had been reported across over 180 countries.  The pandemic caused the largest global recession in history, with more than a third of […]

It’s oddly satisfying when a state agency basically orders you to do what you’re already doing.  Helping in that regard, the Virginia Legislature recently passed a statute essentially directing Worker’s Compensation defendants to do what they’ve already been doing.  All that has really happened here is that the legislature took the fully functioning system under […]

“In hindsight, I probably should’ve realized my boss’ urgent request to purchase face masks was a scam.”  News flash: Criminals utilize societal events such as floods, fires and pandemics to exploit consumer fear.  This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided cyber criminals with a unique opportunity to take advantage of millions of vulnerable remote connections […]

Let’s face it. COVID-19 has affected many businesses throughout Virginia in some manner – whether it’s mandatory employee work from home policies, suppliers unable to fill orders, or customer concerns about returning to business establishments. If that wasn’t enough, as businesses start to re-open to the public, business owners are now worried about a new […]

In the past two months, we have seen three major modifications to the Federal Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) Hours of Service Rules – two temporary and one permanent. On May 14, 2020, the FMCSA published a final rule to update the hours of service rules.  The updates seek to improve safety and increase flexibility.  Key […]

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), signed into law on Friday March 27, 2020, introduced the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”).  https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3548/text.  The Small Business Association (SBA) launched the PPP on April 3, 2020, with an initial $349 billion in funding, and just 14 days later, by April 16, PPP lenders […]

Congress passed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund, in 1980 to provide broad Federal authority to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that may endanger public health or the environment. CERCLA holds various types of “potentially responsible parties” (PRPs) strictly liable for cleanup costs in […]

My contempt for the COVID-19 hysteria is well known.  I am convinced that individuals and government entities are grossly overreacting in the absence or ignorance of fact, and I am not convinced that we could not have accomplished the same result as we have for less than the roughly 9 trillion dollars it’s costing.  Regardless of what […]