IA Calls for Covid-19-Related Lawsuit Protection

In the US, the Insights Association (IA) has called for Congress to approve temporary and targeted liability limitations for insights businesses, in order to protect them from 'unwarranted' Covid-19-related lawsuits.

In a letter to the US House and Senate, IA CEO Melanie Courtright (pictured) explains that reopening insights businesses that have been forced to shut down in-person work is a top priority for the industry. The Association's guidelines for reopening businesses, including in-person qual research facilities, have been designed to help limit risk to businesses, staff, clients and participants, but Courtright says adequate government-provided liability protection will still be needed.

In addition, she warns that despite the industry's 'best attempts' to follow public health recommendations and government guidelines, many IA members worry that they will need to defend themselves against coronavirus-related litigation. She says that those liability concerns, whether from a business' own staff or from potential marketing research and data analytics participants, are impeding many people's return to work in the industry. Those businesses that do manage to reopen could be temporarily sidelined or put permanently out of business by even a single unwarranted lawsuit, despite any good faith and practices on the part of those businesses, Courtright suggests.

'The temporary liability safe harbor against Covid-19 exposure claims we propose should remain in place for the duration of the pandemic and response, and cover businesses that make a reasonable effort to follow applicable government guidance to control the spread of the disease. Congress should allow litigation to focus on deterring and punishing bad actors, such as people recklessly or intentionally disregarding available guidance, rather than letting good actors be held liable for events beyond their control', she adds.

Web site: www.insightsassociation.com .