CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 RESOURCE CENTER
Covid -19: To our valued clients and community. We are open, working (remotely) more efficiently and effectively than ever before. We are actively accepting and filing new cases. Please contact us for any issues you think may have arisen during this time, including but not limited to employment related matters. Below, please find a summary of curated coronavirus updates and articles we believe can help you through this trying and confusing time.
FEATURED ARTICLE
I’ve been fired for refusing the vaccine. What now?
Recently, our Swartz & Swartz blog has been focused on the rules and legal issues around vaccine mandates. By: David Angueira Senior Trial Lawyer - Employment Litigation, Medical Malpractice, Product Liability, Discrimination, Whistle Blower, False Claims Recently, our Swartz & Swartz blog has been focused on the rules and legal issues around vaccine mandates. We discussed how employers can legally require their employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and how there are only two avenues for legitimate exemptions from getting
OUR LAWYERS DISCUSS THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
David Angueira – You Still Have Employment Rights During COVID 19
Senior Trial Attorney David Angueira reminds everyone that you still have many legal rights that protect you despite all the confusion and commotion that has been created by the Coronavirus Pandemic.
James Swartz – Healthcare Provider Immunity Law
On April 17, 2020, Massachusetts bill S. 2640 was signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker.
The law provides certain liability protections for the acts or omissions of defined health care professionals, health care facilities and volunteer organizations, occurring during the period of the COVID-19 emergency that was declared on March 10, 2020.
HELPFUL LINKS
In this section we’ve posted important links to local and federal government resources such as unemployment websites, local municipality health departments, news stations, federal government resources sites like the CDC and SBA and national news outlets.
Important Local, Boston & Massachusetts Links & Resources
Massachusetts Residents Covid-19 Screening Website
Local Health Websites
- Massachusetts Department Of Public Health
- Boston Public Health Commission
- Brookline MA, Department of Health
- Newton MA, Department of Health
- Cambridge MA Department of Health
Local Government Official Offices
- Office Of The Governor Of Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Courts Updates
- Massachusetts State Police
- Boston City Hall
Massachusetts Unemployment Resources
- Massachusetts Department of Unemployment
- Massachusetts Unemployment Offices
- Massachusetts Guide to State Services
Local News Outlets
Important National & Federal Links & Resources
Important Federal Government Websites
- Coronavirus Family Relief Bill
- Office Of The White House
- Department of Labor
- Federal Reserve
- Department Of Treasury
- Small Business Administration
- SBA Disaster Relief Application
- Paycheck Protection Loans
- Coronavirus.gov
Important Federal Health Websites
- Centers For Disease Control
- National Institute of Health
- Health Resources & Services Administration
- World Health Organization (International)
National News Websites
CORONA VIRUS RELIEF OPTIONS FROM THE SBA
In addition to traditional SBA funding programs, the CARES Act established several new temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak.
This loan program from the SBA provides loan forgiveness for retaining employees by temporarily expanding the traditional SBA 7(a) loan program.
This loan advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties.
Enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.
The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Disclaimer: This section is neither an endorsement or guarantee of success in working with the SBA to secure funding for your business. This is informational only.
STATE & FEDERAL COURTHOUSE LINKS
In this section we’ve posted important links to local and federal courthouse resources so that you can stay informed on what courts are opened and/or closed during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Important Local & Federal Links & Resources
Massachusetts Court Links
- Daily Court Links
- Active Courts
- Mass State Court e-Filing
- MA State Court Announcement and Orders
- Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA)
- Boston Bar Association
Federal Court Links
MORE CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 RELATED NEWS
Here’s a collection up-to-date news articles and headlines from Boston, Massachusetts, the country and the world, about the Coronavirus pandemic. Check back daily as we’re always updating these articles to bring you informed, all in one place.
Employers MUST provide a reasonable expectation of safety for all employees.
Our Swartz & Swartz team has been getting questions about what steps employers need to take to keep their employees safe during the Delta variant-driven fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Can my employer legally require me to get the vaccine and can I be fired if I refuse?
Our Swartz & Swartz team has been getting a lot of questions about whether employers can legally require their employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine before resuming work
COVID-19: COVID Immunity Act in Massachusetts
On April 17, 2020, Massachusetts bill S. 2640 was signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker. The law provides certain liability protections for the acts or omissions of defined
Workers file lawsuit against Hudsonville egg farm over COVID-19 protocols
HUDSONVILLE — A trio of former workers at Sunrise Acres Egg Farm in Hudsonville have sued the farm, claiming it was negligent in COVID-19 safety measures at the start of the pandemic.
Dealing with “Patient’s Rights” during the COVID-19 pandemic
Being knowledgeable about patient's rights as a patient and/or family member is especially crucial nowadays as we have had so many people hospitalized due to the pandemic. Getting
Covid-19 & Employment: Can my employer force me to take a COVID vaccine before returning to work?
With vaccination programs underway across the United States, we have been getting questions about whether employers can force their employees to get a vaccine before resuming work. By:
Mass. has changed its COVID-19 travel rules. Here’s what to know.
“Every traveler coming to Massachusetts no matter where they’re from has a responsibility to help keep COVID-19 out of the commonwealth.” Since late March, travelers to Massachusetts have been asked to self-quarantine for
Covid Vaccine Front-Runner Is Months Ahead of Her Competition
The University of Oxford candidate, led by Sarah Gilbert, might be through human trials in September. AstraZeneca has lined up agreements to produce 2 billion doses of Covid Vaccine. Could this be the
Many Americans might not get another stimulus check. Here’s where things stand on another COVID-19 bill
WASHINGTON – If you were hoping for another stimulus check from the federal government, you might be in luck. Well, some of you might be in luck. Congressional leaders are hoping to
LOCAL AND REGIONAL HEADLINES
Keep up to date
with articles from
Boston and
Massachusetts
Authorities ID construction worker who died in Newton wall collapse
Family members say 55-year-old Russell Harron, of Billerica, was a father of three. Harron's employer, M. DiStasio Excavation Contractors, out of North Reading, Massachusetts, released a statement Friday calling what happened
Acrobats hurt in R.I. circus accident reach $52.5 million settlement
Eight acrobats severely injured when the rigging suspending them by their hair plummeted to the floor during a circus performance in Rhode Island in 2014 have reached a $52.5 million settlement with the
Jury Awards Man $18.4 Million After Doctors Fail to Give Him HIV Test
A federal jury has awarded $18.4 million in damages to a man who said in a lawsuit that two doctors failed to test him for HIV, which allowed the virus to progress to AIDS.
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES
Stay Informed
of national and
international COVID-19
news & updates
Prestone products recalls antifreeze due to failure to meet child resistant packaging requirements; risk of poisoning
This recall involves fourteen different models of pre-diluted or concentrated antifreeze sold under six different brand names: Prestone®, AutoZone®, Highline®/Prime Guard®, Supertech®, Prime® and Starfire®. The one-gallon antifreeze bottles are black, gray,
The Vitamin Shoppe recalls Vthrive bioactive multivitamins due to failure to meet child resistant packaging requirement; risk of poisoning
This recall involves The Vitamin Shoppe’s Vthrive Bioactive Women’s One-Daily Multivitamins. The 60-count capsules were sold in an amber bottle with a gray top. Vthrive and Bioactive Women’s One-Daily Multi are printed
Specialized bicycle components recalls sirrus bicycles with alloy cranks due to fall and injury hazards
This recall involves the 2019-2020 model year Sirrus, Sirrus X and Sirrus Sport bicycles. The bicycles were sold in 27 different colors. Consumers can determine if their bicycle is part of the