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The Illinois First District Court of Appeals in Downtown Chicago, where judges dismissed a forum non conveniens motion to transfer. Photo by Vincent Desjardins.

The Appellate Court of Illinois, First Judicial District recently found that the COVID-19 pandemic was a factor that weighed against forum transfer in Bearden v. Conagra Foods, Inc. In this case, 45 plaintiffs brought a total of 39 product liability actions in the circuit court of Cook County against Conagra Foods, Inc., Conagra Brands, Inc., DS Containers, Inc., and Full-Fill Industries, LLC. Conagra Foods and the other defendants involved filed a combined motion to dismiss for forum non conveniens as to the out-of-state plaintiffs and a motion to transfer out of Cook County for the in-state plaintiffs. The circuit court issued a ruling without hearing argument, dismissing the defendants’ motions and issuing its findings.

Continue reading Forum Non Conveniens: COVID-19 a Factor Against Transfer

Missouri recently enacted legislation protecting businesses from COVID-19 liability.

As states across the country ease out of COVID-19 restrictions, many state legislatures are passing laws to protect businesses from COVID-19 liability. Various chambers of commerce and pro-business groups across the country have been proponents of such protections and have pushed their state legislatures to pass laws to protect businesses. So far, 30 states have enacted statutes that provide businesses with some type of shield against COVID-19 liability suits. 

Continue reading COVID-19 Liability Protections Signed Into Missouri Law