Restaurant Business Lawyer: COVID-19 Liability Waivers And Payroll Protections

The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly hard on restaurants and small businesses. To keep afloat, many restaurants have needed to file quick legal paperwork to pay bills and maintain insurance policies. A restaurant business lawyer can help you file COVID-19 exemptions and implement payroll protection measures to help you stay in business.

COVID-19 Exemptions

The problems facing the restaurant industry are being taken seriously by local, state, and federal government agencies. Your restaurant business lawyer can help you file for exemptions designed to support small businesses during the pandemic.

• Small Business Loan (SBL): These types of loans were created to help businesses pay their employees even when they aren't making a profit and/or operating at normal capacity. In addition to supplying an immediate influx of cash, most small business loans aren't really loans, they are grants. This means that they will not need to be paid back if your business meets the requirements stipulated by the loan. Your restaurant business lawyer can help you apply for an SBL or appeal if your SBL is initially denied. Because small business loans are in short supply, you may need to submit your application once they become available.

• Local Mandates: If your restaurant isn't able to operate normally because of COVID-19 restrictions, your restaurant business lawyer can help you file exemptions to keep your doors open. For instance, if your restaurant is forced to only offer carry-out service, your restaurant business lawyer can help you file an exemption to sell alcoholic beverages in to-go containers. They can also help you file petitions to serve your patrons in modified seating arrangements. With many municipalities implementing renewed COVID-19 restrictions, your restaurant business lawyer can also help you file temporary stays to allow you to continue operating normally.

Payroll Protections

It's difficult to pay your employees when you may not be able to turn a profit. In order to keep your doors open and your employees on the clock, you need to be sure that you're protected from COVID-19 liability.

• Waivers: If your restaurant invests in COVID-19 protective measures and you followed legal protocols, your business should not be exposed to potentially devastating liability cases. Your restaurant business lawyer can help you draw up waivers for your employees and vendors to sign. These waivers can help prevent a disgruntled employee or vendor from suing you if they contract COVID-19 in your establishment.

For more information, contact a restaurant business lawyer.