The global coronavirus pandemic and the accompanying nationwide and statewide government shutdowns have caused unprecedented disruptions to businesses around the world. The impact “of the coronavirus on small business owners is staggering and likely to be substantial.” Kerry Hannon, How The Coronavirus Is Impacting Small Business Owners, Forbes (March 23, 2020). Larger, multinational companies, too, have had to rethink and reorganize their employment, business, and operating policies in response to the worldwide pandemic. Riley de Leon & Jen Geller, Here’s what every major company is doing about the coronavirus pandemic, CNBC (March 13, 2020). In its wake, the coronavirus pandemic will give rise to a myriad of claims and lawsuits, including some that are likely to transcend state and national borders.

In this article, we outline some of the claims that companies have begun to see, as well as potential actions on the horizon. We also examine existing aggregate and class litigation frameworks around the world that may gain renewed attention as claimants and companies look to resolve their disputes and move forward after the pandemic.

Existing & Potential Coronavirus-Related Claims