HHS Releases Bulletin Waiving Certain Provisions of HIPAA
Written by: Chase Langhorne, Esq. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) released a bulletin this week waiving sanctions and penalties as of March 15, 2020 for non-compliance with certain provisions of HIPAA. The waiver cen
Does a Government’s Late Change of an Unconstitutional Policy Moot Nominal-Damages Claims?
Written by: Phillip E. Friduss, Esq. Currently knocking on the Supreme Court’s door for permission to be heard is a Georgia Free Speech case questioning whether a government’s post-(lawsuit) filing change of an unconstitutional policy mo
The Department of Health and Human Services Issues Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (“PREP Act”)
Written by: Christopher Eads, Esq. The Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) recently issued a declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (“PREP Act”) Act to provide immunity to liability for activities r
Hospitality Industry Faces Multifront Crisis Amid COVID-19 Outbreak: Key Considerations for Stakeholders
Written by: James R. Embrey, Esq., and John G. Winkenwerder, Esq. The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has spread to at least 95 countries and has sickened more than 100,000 people, leading to increased anxiety and confusion across the globe. As
Workers’ Compensations and Compensability of the COVID-19 Virus in Georgia
Written by: Meredith Knight, Esq. Over the past week, multiple questions have arisen regarding whether contracting COVID-19 is a compensable workers’ compensation event. The answer will almost always be no. In a few very fact-intensive cas
WHAT IS REALLY IN CONGRESS’ EMERGENCY CORONAVIRUS BILL? HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Written by: Jacqueline Voronov, Esq., Jeffrey M. Daitz, Esq., and Christopher Eads, Esq. Perhaps bipartisan bills really do exist? On March 14, 2020, the House of Representatives passed the Emergency Families First Coronavirus Response Act (R
USCIS Statement Regarding COVID-19 and the New Public Charge Rule
Written by Ashik Jahan, Esq. and Cody Hendrix USCIS has issued a statement informing immigrants who get tested or treated for COVID-19 that they will not be punished when seeking immigration benefits under the new public charge rule that was ush
Hall Booth Smith Welcomes 5 New Attorneys in Atlanta
ATLANTA – March 17, 2020 – Hall Booth Smith, P.C. is pleased to welcome five new attorneys to the firm’s Atlanta headquarters office as it adds new talent to meet growing client needs. Partner Meg Hatfield Yanacek defends acute care, skill
Secretary of Health and Human Services Signs Federal Declaration Providing Immunity to Healthcare Workers from COVID-19 Claims
Written by: Sandra Mekita Cianflone, Esq. During this growing epidemic, the last thing healthcare workers want to think about it is potential litigation for any care and treatment rendered to patients who contract COVID-19. On March 10, 2020, th
Can a Business Be Held Liable for Employees or Customers Who Allegedly Contracted COVID-19 (Coronavirus) While On Their Property?
Written by: James Embrey, Esq. and Anthony Petrozza, Esq. A woman sneezes several times as she goes up and down the aisles to do her grocery shopping. Across town, three people on the housekeeping crew at a hotel develop fevers while cleaning gu