Phillips Murrah Director Kathy Terry is featured as a source in a Journal Record article regarding liability that companies may face as Oklahoma begins to re-open as directed by Governor Stitt.
The emphasis of Kathryn D. Terry’s litigation practice is in the areas of insurance coverage, labor and employment law and civil rights defense. She also represents corporations in complex litigation matters.
From the story:
As thousands of businesses reopen their doors amid the COVID-19 crisis, they’ll be facing a new type of risk that could be even more devastating to them than a pandemic.
Oklahoma businesses could face lawsuits filed by customers claiming they contracted COVID-19 while in their restaurants, bars or showrooms, forcing court cases that could cost tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.
“We’re going to see the lawsuits. Lots of lawsuits,” said Kathryn Terry, an attorney with Oklahoma City law firm Phillips Murrah.
The issue may be the latest tragic tranche to unfold in the coronavirus saga that has seen more than 60,000 U.S. deaths and millions of people out of work. Some say the legal fallout could continue long after the disease is a distant memory.
Terry said COVID-19 tort claims against businesses are not likely to be successful. Plaintiffs would have to clear a high bar to prove they contracted the virus from a specific business or from a specific person.
For businesses that are following government guidelines and operating safely, an unfavorable judgment is not necessarily the biggest risk. Their main concern is the legal fees they could face trying to defend themselves. For small businesses, the cost could be devastating.
Terry estimates fees in a COVID-19 liability case could range from $35,000 to $50,000.
You may contact Kathy at 405.552.2452 or by email at kdterry@phillipsmurrah.com.
Read the full story here: https://journalrecord.com/2020/04/30/legal-protection-lots-of-lawsuits-loom-as-oklahoma-businesses-prepare-to-reopen/