COVID-19 Legal Resources

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically altered our society. Businesses face unprecedented challenges that impact every facet of operations including: financing, workplace safety, employee benefits, labor law, tax considerations, regulatory compliance, and other daily management issues.

Attorneys at Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria are staying at the forefront of rapidly evolving developments in business, government, and the law. The firm’s longstanding multidisciplinary approach has Lipsitz Green well positioned to help clients navigate through all the complex challenges this pandemic presents.

The Special Alerts found on this page provide pertinent information regarding how to respond to the Conronavirus crisis, including: new resources available to provide economic relief for your business, government regulations your business needs to comply with, and steps to take to help protect your business during this pandemic.

If you would like any additional information or guidance on addressing legal issues related to COVID-19, click here to contact one of the attorneys at Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria who can help.

New York State Updates “Essential Business” Guidelines

As detailed in a previous Special Alert from Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the “New York on Pause” Executive Order, effective as of March 22, 2020, which required a 100% workforce reduction for any business or organization that is not “essential.”

On April 9, 2020, Empire State Development (ESD) updated its guidelines by further clarifying and expanding the scope of businesses considered “essential.”. Prior guidance issued by the ESD is now superseded by revised guidelines issued by the ESD.

Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria’s Special Alert provides important information regarding:

• New York State’s Updated “Essential Businesses” Guidelines
• Special Guidance on Construction Projects
• Applying for “Essential Business” Designation
• Clean and Safe Work Environment Guidance

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SPECIAL ALERT ON NEW YORK STATE’S UPDATED “ESSENTIAL BUSINESS” GUIDELINES

What You Need To Know About The New COVID-19 Paid Leave Laws

Recent events have brought action by both the federal and New York state governments to assist employers and employees suffering from income loss related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria’s Special Alert provides important information regarding new legislation at both the federal and state level, including:

• New York State Paid Sick Leave Law
• Eligibility for New York State Paid Sick Leave
• Calculating Amount of New York State Paid Sick Leave Benefits
• Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act
• Federal Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act
• Federal Paid Sick Leave Act

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SPECIAL ALERT ON COVID-19 PAID LEAVE LAWS

COVID-19 Economic Relief for Your Business With CARES Act Loan Program

On March 27,2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), which provides certain economic relief to businesses, organizations, and employees impacted by the rapidly expanding COVID-19 pandemic. Among other things, the CARES Act creates a new loan program guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) for the purpose of funding forgivable loans to eligible businesses and organization to assist them in continuing to pay payroll expenses and certain other eligible business expenses.

Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria’s Special Alert provides information on the CARES Act loan program including the following topics:

• Payroll Protection Loans;
• Eligibility for Loans;
• Permitted Uses of Loan Proceeds;
• Maximum Amount of Loan;
• Deferment and Other Loan Terms; and
• Loan Forgiveness

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SPECIAL ALERT ON THE CARES ACT LOAN PROGRAM

U.S. Small Business Administration: Coronavirus Relief Options

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has created a page on their website to serve as a guide for funding options available to small businesses seeking relief as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was enacted, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses. The SBA’s Coronavirus Relief Options page provides details on new funding programs that were established by the CARES Act to address the COVID-19 outbreak, including the:

• Paycheck Protection Program;
• EIDL Loan Advance;
• SBA Express Bridge Loans; and
• SBA Debt Relief.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SBA’S CORONAVIRUS RELIEF OPTIONS PAGE

Department of Labor Guidelines

The Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor has established an online resource page, which provides information to employers on common issues that arise when responding to COVID-19.  The link below provides information regarding effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA), job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and paid sick leave and expanded family medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

CLICK HERE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR’S “COVID-19 AND THE AMERICAN WORKPLACE” PAGE

How COVID-19 Government Mandates Impact Your Business

In the past several weeks the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses throughout the world to drastically change the way they conduct business to ensure the safety of their workforce and to comply with the rapidly evolving laws that govern them. We appreciate the uncertainty of this moment. Our firm’s lawyers remain working and dedicated to help our clients navigate the complexity of the ever evolving and unprecedented business climate and legal landscape the current pandemic presents.

Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria’s Special Alert provides information on the following important topics regarding how Coronvirus related regulations impact your business:

• New York State’s Executive Order on closing Non-Essential Business;
• What is considered “Essential Business”;
• How your business can apply for an “Essential Business” designation;
• Workplace safety requirements; and
• Paid leave requirements

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SPECIAL ALERT ON COVID-19 GOVERNMENT MANDATES

Attorneys To Contact For More Information

Michael Schiavone

Mark L. Stulmaker

Diane M. Perri Roberts

Matthew B. Morey