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The Litigation Curve Does Not Flatten: COVID-19 Class Action Filings Approach 300
May 05, 2020

As we first reported in early April, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a class action feeding frenzy among the plaintiffs’ class action bar. COVID-19 class action case filings have risen to more than 280 as of May 4, 2020. As the litigation trend comes into focus, three industries have emerged as the largest targets: insurers of businesses suffering losses due to shutdowns and curtailments; colleges and universities whose students are demanding refunds of tuition and fees; and the travel and entertainment industries. You can find more information about business interruption insurance coverage litigation here. We’ve also reported on the litigation against educational institutions here. As depicted in the map below, most of the COVID-19 class litigation is pending in four states (California, Florida, New York, and Illinois). Many of the cases, however, assert claims on behalf of nationwide classes. As businesses begin to open and the country looks forward to a new normal, companies should examine their possible risk exposure, and plan ahead.
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