MSCI, Coalition Partners Argue For Business Liability Legislation

Republican leaders in the U.S. Senate are expected to introduce legislation during the week before Memorial Day that, if enacted, would protect businesses from lawsuits from employees and consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) signed a letter organized by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) that was sent to U.S. House and Senate leaders in early May and it also has joined one organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC), which will be sent before the end of this week, supporting business liability protections.

MSCI encourages members companies to use this link from NAM to send a signed message of support to lawmakers. That message explains, “[E]ssential businesses are facing a cloud of shifting rules and requirements that could potentially cost these brave companies thousands in unfair legal fees.” The letter argues lawmakers “must protect these manufacturers in the same way they’ve been working to protect” the United States during the pandemic.

Last week, the USCC’s Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) released a new report that explained how litigation, if unchecked, could hinder the U.S. economic recovery. The report noted the plaintiffs’ bar is expected to target or, in some cases, is already targeting exposure liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and securities litigation.