California Supreme Court: Employers in California Not Liable for COVID Infections in Workers’ Families

Employers in California Not Liable for COVID Infections in Workers’ Families

The court’s decision clarified that while workers’ compensation laws do not bar such claims, employers in California cannot be held legally responsible for preventing such infections due to the overwhelming burden it would impose on companies, the judicial system, and society at large, Los Angeles Times reported.

The ruling of the Supreme Court holds true even in cases where a company or employers in California may have demonstrated negligence by failing to adhere to established health and safety standards.

This judgment significantly undermines a federal lawsuit filed by Corby Kuciemba, a woman from Hercules, California, who alleged that her husband’s employer was responsible for his COVID-19 infection at a San Francisco job site, which subsequently led to her hospitalization for several weeks.

The decision represents a significant victory for Victory Woodworks Inc., the Nevada-based employer of Robert Kuciemba, as well as other major employers and business organizations across the state. These entities had warned that a ruling in favor of the Kuciembas would trigger an unmanageable wave of COVID-19 claims against employers, potentially leading to business closures and an exodus from the state.

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The employers in California are satisfied with the Ruling

The California high court’s ruling came in response to a query from the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking clarification on whether state law allowed for such claims or imposed liability on companies for COVID-19 infections among employees’ family members. Federal courts often turn to state high courts when state law interpretation is uncertain in a given case.

William Bogdan, the attorney representing Victory Woodworks, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision.

Robert Dunn, the attorney for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations, hailed the ruling as a significant triumph for businesses and employers in California. Dunn noted the unanimous agreement among all seven justices of the California court, emphasizing that the court is not typically known for being business-friendly.

Throughout the court’s decision, Justice Corrigan demonstrated a keen awareness of the extensive implications if companies were held responsible not only for preventing COVID-19 infections among their employees but also among the employees’ family members.

She expressed concerns about the severe financial consequences for employers in California and the broader social impact. Additionally, she highlighted the substantial burden that litigation stemming from these claims would place on the judicial system and the community.

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