Two Louisiana bills, enacted as Acts 336 and 362, grant certain liability protections for persons, businesses, and other entities from claims related to COVID-19 exposure. These protections are retroactive to March 11, 2020.
This legislation may be of interest to AKC-affiliated clubs with concerns about conducting their events while under a higher-than-normal exposure to liability risks.
Among other provisions in the Acts, businesses and other entities are provided certain protections from civil liability for injury or death related to exposure to COVID-19, unless the business failed to substantially comply with applicable COVID-19 procedures established by the federal, state, or local agency that governs the business, and the injury or death was caused by the business’s gross negligence or wanton or reckless misconduct.
Additionally, planners of events, such as conventions and sporting events, cannot be held liable for injury or death related to COVID-19 exposure unless caused by gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.
Persons, clubs, businesses, and other entities with questions about these new laws are urged to seek qualified legal counsel.
AKC Government Relations continues to track bills across the country relating to the issue of COVID-19 liability. For the latest information on this topic, visit the COVID-19 Liability key issues page in the AKC Legislative Action Center.
To view AKC legislative information and updates relating to COVID-19 and how they are impacting dogs, events, and businesses, visit www.akcgr.org/covid19.