As America slowly reopens, Starbucks shows how to get it done
May 5, 2020, Triple Pundit
If retailers, or companies in any sector for that matter, are to reopen, their first priority should be their employees. Starbucks is showing that the wisest approach is not barreling into a reopening, but taking an approach retailers and restaurants could describe as a “soft relaunch.”
Valet tests positive; WH ramps up internal COVID-19 testing
May 7, 2020, Washington Post
The White House rapidly increased testing for those around President Trump after a staffer whose job potentially put him in close daily contact with the president had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
CPSC announces $2 million available in pool safety grants
May 4, 2020, Daily American
The CPSC is announcing a 90-day solicitation seeking applications for a special Pool Safely Grant Program (PSGP) offered to state and local governments. CPSC will award up to $2 million in two-year grants to assist jurisdictions in reducing deaths and injuries from drowning and drain entrapment incidents in pools and spas.
The coronavirus might finally kill electric scooter startups
May 5, 2020, Fast Company
Electric scooters were in trouble before stay-at-home orders. The economics of scooter startups never squared with their Silicon Valley investment. Their invasion of city streets was often at odds with the government partnerships they needed.
Household cleaning products can be dangerous to kids
May 4, 2020, Cleveland Clinic healthessentials
Play it safe, avoid accidental poisonings. The COVID-19 pandemic has people spraying, scrubbing and washing frequently. But that is having unintended effects: Poison control centers have seen a 20% jump in calls about cleaners and disinfectants.
Hotel industry issues safety guidelines before travel surge
May 4, 2020, USA Today
Hotels around the country are prepping for travelers to start showing up again amid the coronavirus pandemic. The American Hotel & Lodging Association unveiled its Safe Stay guidelines, in conjunction with major brands, to standardize cleanliness.
Considering a product recall or retrofit? Some important considerations
May 5, 2020, National Law Review
Has your company discovered a problem with one of its products already on the market that could result in some type of harm or damage? Are you trying to determine your company’s responsibilities to the product users, as well as its regulatory compliance obligations? If so, timing is likely critical, and you need to make decisions and act quickly.
Sellers, anticipate novel Calif. price-gouging class actions
May 4, 2020, Law360
California, Attorney General Xavier Becerra has issued two admonitions against price-gouging — one focused on online retail platforms,[1] and the other emphasizing that liability attaches to all sellers in the supply chain, including manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors.[2]
CDC issues guidance on preparing to reopen workplaces, businesses, schools after COVID-19 shutdown
May 6, 2020, National Law Review
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new guidance with detailed instructions on cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and homes in preparation for reopening following COVID-19 shutdowns. The Guidance includes a Cleaning and Disinfection Decision Tool that distills the advice into a flow chart with different recommendations depending on whether the area is indoors, outdoors, frequently used, and the type of surface involved.
An assessment of analytical tools for product liability matters
April 30, 2020, National Law Review
The Comcast ruling in 2013 and U.S. case law since then raised the bar for plaintiffs to establish a causal link between their theories of liability and actual harm.1 In particular, the ruling requires that plaintiffs show, on a common basis, that consumers suffered harm attributable to the conduct of the defendant, and that plaintiffs are capable of determining harm in a way that is consistent with the particular theory of liability offered.2
Liability loopholes stifle manufacturers
April 27, 2020, Daily Herald
Under product liability, a manufacturer can be sued over an incident they never could have predicted or prevented. A manufacturer can even be sued over an accident that resulted from a consumer misusing a perfectly safe product.
