The COVID-19 pandemic has turned life as we know it upside down. Many in our community have lost their jobs. Many others have continued working on the front lines in healthcare and other essential services, risking their own health for the benefit of us all. Our favorite businesses have been closed, and the new “normal” when we venture out from home requires mask-wearing and social distancing.

With the uncertainty this pandemic has brought, we have seen heartwarming examples of communities coming together. Businesses have shifted gears to produce masks or create medical equipment. Local restaurants, already struggling, have provided food for the elderly and those with limited resources. Money has been raised for those who have lost their jobs. Citizens have treated our frontline workers to surprise lunches to show our appreciation for their life-saving efforts.

While most people have come together, as in every situation, there are still bad actors. The closure of our courts has not stopped a flood of lawsuits related to the COVID-19 crisis. According to Hunton Andrews Kurth, an international law firm that monitors COVID-19-related lawsuits, as of June 1, 2020, 2,360 lawsuits had been filed in state and federal courts across the country. In Washington state alone, 70 have been filed. This article will discuss some of the lawsuits we are seeing.

Several lawsuits have been filed nationwide based on price gouging. This is legally prohibited during a state of emergency. One such class-action lawsuit was filed against Amazon, headquartered here in Washington state, alleging that the company increased the price of cold medicines by 674 percent, from an average cost of $4.65 to $35.99. Exorbitant prices for face masks and hand sanitizer have also triggered lawsuits.

Nationwide lockdowns have meant the cancellation of events and travel plans. Some organizations have flatly refused refunds, and consumers have filed lawsuits to recover their payments. Such lawsuits have been filed against SeaWorld, Ironman, British Airways, and several music festivals that were planned for this summer.

The majority of medical professionals in our country have been heroes during this pandemic. However, a minority of medical professionals have attempted to capitalize on the fear that is spreading throughout our country. For example, a case was recently filed against a doctor in California after he charged an undercover agent $4,000 for a COVID-19 treatment kit that included Xanax and Viagra.

Here in Washington, several lawsuits were filed against Governor Inslee alleging that his stay-at-home order was unconstitutional. On the opposite end of the spectrum, lawsuits have been filed against businesses that continue to operate in violation of Governor Inslee’s orders. Washington was the epicenter of the spread in the United States due to an outbreak at Life Care Center, an assisted living facility located in Kirkland. There were at least 37 deaths associated with this outbreak. The first COVID-19-related wrongful death lawsuit was filed in Washington against Life Care Center. She alleges that she was aware of the respiratory outbreak at the facility for months but failed to act to protect its residents.

There is no doubt that in the coming months we will see many more lawsuits in Washington and across the country based on the COVID-19 pandemic. If you believe that you or a family member has been injured due to inadequate care related to the COVID-19 crisis, call Abeyta Nelson to discuss your concerns. There is never a fee to speak with us, and there is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.