With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the partial or total shutdown of countless businesses throughout the U.S.—particularly restaurants, cafes, and bars—many food and beverage establishment owners are turning to their insurance policies as a possible lifeline during this unprecedented time. Unfortunately, those same business owners are being told that their business interruption insurance does not cover coronavirus-related shutdowns.
If you are a business owner concerned about how the novel coronavirus pandemic will affect your business and your livelihood, you may have options. It is still unclear if business interruption insurance will apply to partial and total business shutdowns caused by COVID-19. In most cases, the answer will depend on the exact language of your policy, as well as the specific circumstances of your unique situation. We encourage you to reach out to an experienced attorney for help understanding your policy and your rights regarding business disruption coverage.
If you are interested in learning more about filing a business disruption claim in New Orleans due to the coronavirus pandemic, contact our attorneys at The Chopin Law Firm LLC for a free consultation.
Simply put, business interruption insurance is meant to cover damages when a business loses income as a result of an unanticipated disaster or event. For example, if a restaurant is destroyed during a hurricane, the restaurant owner may be able to turn to his or her business disruption policy to claim damages due to income lost.
While every policy is slightly different, business interruption insurance typically covers:
Some business interruption policies will also cover losses in the event that government actions cause the temporary cessation of business operations, resulting in a loss of income and other damages.
In the wake of a state order to immediately cease any gatherings of more than 250 people and a follow-up order from New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to limit all restaurant services to delivery only, The Oceana Grill, located in the French Quarter, filed a lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment regarding whether the restaurant’s business disruption insurance will cover its damages if the establishment is forced to close. The matter is already being disputed—and similar disputes are cropping up in states across the nation.
The primary reason that some insurance providers may be refusing to pay these claims rests on the fact that many policies have exclusion clauses specifically stating that they are not responsible for losses caused by viruses and bacteria. In many cases, these clauses were put into place following past pandemics and large-scale health concerns, including those involving H1N1, SARS, and Zika. Again, understanding the exact language of your policy is incredibly important in understanding your options.
The forced partial and full closures of businesses in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana and the United States has put a serious strain on small business owners. At The Chopin Law Firm LLC, we understand the stress you are currently under; our New Orleans business interruption claims lawyers can help you understand your options and provide you with the dedicated legal representation you need.
These are uncertain and unprecedented times, but our firm is here to help small business owners and individuals within our community in understanding and acting on their legal rights. Filing a business disruption claim could allow you to recover for your losses or it could simply create a record of the damages you have suffered in the event that, in the future, these claims are honored.
Our firm can help; contact us at (504) 475-2429 for a free case evaluation.
Great Attorney for your needs I find Justin to be a very personable attorney that has your best interests in mind at all times. He is honest, up front, and diligent. I would definitely recommend him! After an accident, Justin mediated between the insurance companies involved, stayed on top of the case, and worked toward […]
ShalomJustin Chopin is a great attorney and an even better man. He is one of the highest professional and personal integrity. I would not hesitate to hire Justin for again and again, he is truly a lawyer’s…
SalWe needed ALOT of help Starting up a Micro Brewery required more legal help than we could have ever anticipated. At first we hired Justin Chopin to incorporate our business with the state but we we soon realized that was only the beginning. We needed help researching and trademarking names. He helped write and negotiate […]
Brewing CompanyHe did the hard part for us In 2013 I began the process of closing down a business I had spent 10 years building. It was emotionally difficult and I didn’t know where to begin. Mr. Chopin took the time to explain the process to me and even checked back in with me at the […]
Beehive Hair StudioAn excellent attorney “Prompt, effective, focused! Personal injury suits, like the one that was against my company, are a risk for every business. However, Mr. Chopin successfully defended the law suit against my company and quickly had the case dismissed, with minimal expense and with zero payout. I highly recommend Mr. Chopin.”
NicholasDiligent and Knowledgeable Lawyer I was anxious calling initially, as are most people when they need to call a lawyer, but as soon I talked to Justin about my case, I felt at ease. I was involved in an auto incident. In short form, Justin worked diligently to get a favorable outcome under the circumstances […]
Mr A.Amazing attorney When I called Justin I was worried at first. We were looking for a knowledgeable and experienced attorney. He took on our very detailed child custody/visitation case without hesitation. He handled this case with the love a care as he would of if it we’re his own family. He was always professional and […]
Wyman3 for 3 wins Once again Chopin Law Firm came through with another WIN ! “He who represents himself in lieu of Chopin Law has a fool for a client.” Nick Burtchaell
NicholasWe lost our home in hurricane Ida. I came across Justin Chopins info while researching help with insurance companies. Justin immediately called me back. He sent over an amazing adjuster to be there to represent us during the initial walk through by our insurance company. The adjuster was knowledgeable and extremely thorough. Justin and his […]
Sunny B.I had a great experience with the Chopin Law Firm. I emailed them and quickly received a response from an attorney at the firm, Adam Sanderson. I was really surprised get an attorney so quickly. Adam and the rest of the Chopin law firm were kind and thorough. And during a stressful time, they were […]
Chris B.Awesome team thanks Mr. Phill & team really appreciate y’all started off stressful with me trying to find a new doctor told him about it he handled everything and been in communication checking on me and so on since really appreciate y’all.
Shalisa C.My attorney name was Mark. He was excellent, always returned my calls in a timely manner. He was very respectful and helpful. Most attorneys think you work for them, not the other way around. The Chopin Law Firm is not like that. I highly recommend them and I would hire them again if necessary.
Shantell H.The Chopin Law Firm. Mr. Chopin takes care of his clients very well.
Clinton S.Chopin law firm was the best, they treated me like royalty. I would admonish anyone to this firm to serve their family Leagal needs!
Cornelius J.The Chopin Law Firm LLC is the best personal injury law firm to work with when going through the adversities that come with being injured, trying to recover, and survive. From our first meeting, the entire staff that I met (including Michael (Mike) Letourneau, Justin Chopin, Richard Chopin, and Brenna Martin) were very welcoming, knowledgeable, […]
Sonya S.They care deeply about their clients.
Stephan N.Great TEAM of attorneys at the Chopin Law Firm!!!! Very professional and at no time did I ever not have 100% confidence in their work.
Pat L.The Chopin Law Firm was an excellent group to work with. They successfully resolved my legal issue.
Mark R.Very professional! Knowledgeable on all areas of law!
Maureen S.Mr Justin Chopin has been of a great help. He communicated clearly and in timely manner. I strongly recommend The Chopin Law Firm for their excellent services.
Tsvetomir T.Justin took on our very detailed child custody/visitation case. He handled this case with the love and care as he would of if it we’re his own family. He was always professional and straight to the point. He didn’t sugar coat anything which was refreshing because we never we’re surprised. Justin can do wonders with […]
Wyman W.They really helped us with our Hurricane Ida claim! Highly recommend!
LaSalle S.Chopin Law firm has been utilized for personal and business for years. The staff has continuously surpassed our expectations. Can’t say enough good concerning Chopin Law Firm !
Nick B.We chose Chopin law because of their experience in personal injury law. This highly qualified team took on our case and got us a huge settlement. ..over half a million in 7 months… unbelievable but 100% accurate. Thank you very much Chopin & Chopin
Benjamin C.Attorney, Ashlee Adams, represented her client very professionally. She is pleasant to work with.
Jackie C.The were the most acomadating team I could have ever had the fortune of representing me in a personal injury case . They communicated every step and truly worked to help get me the medical support I needed during the litigation. I highly recommend Chopin Law Firm if your serious about your case being handled […]
Dejohn S.My husband and I reached out to Justin Chopin for help with a breach of the lease by the tenant at our rental property in New Orleans. Justin spent time to ensure he understood all aspects of the issue, gave us different choices we could pursue, but told us what he would strongly suggested do […]
Sara M.First of all, I would like to say thank you so much for handling my daughter’s case. You were very professional and I appreciate how hard you worked on her case. Mr. Lorio always communicated and always felt that he had my daughter’s best interest at heart. I highly recommend Chopin Law Firm.
Cindy S.The Chopin Law Firm is one you don’t run past that often. Phil Lorio is one of the best, he’s very kind, attentive, trust worthy and gets straight to the point. The law firm as whole was very quick and on their feet with absolutely everything. Everyone in the office was of help to me […]
LeeAndre S.We knew we needed help with our Hurricane Ida claim and were so pleased to have attorney Philip Lorio handle all the difficult details and negotiations with our insurance company. Phil is very personable, capable, professional and thorough, traits which made a positive difference in the outcome of our claim. Thank you so much, Phil!
Barbara G.The Chopin Law Firm represented me recently in a personal injury case. Being a visitor to the New Orleans area from across the country, I really didn’t know what options I had. How fortuitous I got a recommendation for the Chopin Law Firm! Justin Chopin did such an EXCELLENT job in his counsel and representing […]
MicksterThe experience that I had with mr Phil was amazing he took care of everything from start to end! He’s a wonderful guy.
Shawn J.Chopin Law Firm and all of their associates were ideal professionals. Any communications via email, text, are phone were promptly addressed. Chopin Law firm was the sunshine that took over the dark part of my life. The law group was empathetic to my needs, and settled an arduous journey which resulted in a much deserved […]
Sonya S.A huge THANK YOU goes to Justin Chopin for taking a chance on a case that seemed doubtful to others, and for trusting Phil Lorio to deliver outstanding results. Phil’s professionalism, expertise, and personable nature put me completely at ease throughout the entire process and produced results that were beyond my greatest expectations. I will […]
Holly N.The Chopin Law Firm is awesome. My experience was a great one. The team was very professional, respectful and helpful. They worked very hard on my case and I am very pleased and satisfied with the outcome. I would highly recommend The Chopin Law Firm to everyone. Mr. Justin and Mr. Adam you guys rock!
Darlene M.Adam Sanderson at Chopin Law Firm exceeded my expectations. My settlement was double my initial expectations. He communicated with me every step of the way and let me know what to expect for each proceeding. Adam responded promptly every time I reached out to him. It was obvious how diligently he worked on my case […]
Claire J.I had a great experience with the Chopin Law Firm. I emailed them and quickly received a response from an attorney at the firm, Adam Sanderson. I was really surprised get an attorney so quickly. Adam and the rest of the Chopin law firm were kind and thorough. And during a stressful time, they were […]
Chris B.Mr. Chopin is kind and professional. He is a fantastic lawyer.
Claire G.I used the Chopin Lawfirm for my Ida claim and a medical coverage dispute and could not have been happier with the outcomes.
Michael N.I really appreciate Phil and his team working with and for us. He worked with the insurance company to pay us a fair amount after the hurricane.
Jennifer W.My experience with Chopin Law Firm LLC was outstanding. Phil was beyond professional and helpful from the beginning of my case. I received my settlement very fast, they were even able to get my hospital bills paid out to me after my settlement was already signed being that the health provider failed to send my […]
Mr P.I couldn’t have asked for a better attorney than Mr. Phil! He worked so hard on my husbands lawsuit. Very kind and professional. He worked weekends, nights he made sure we knew and understood everything he was doing with our case. He stayed in constant contact with us. We are so grateful for him and […]
Kacee F. W.Excellent firm, always available when questions arise. Don’t hesitate to call on Chopin Law Firm.
Dianne S.My Attorney Phil Lorio and his adjuster George Montgmry. Mr. George Montgmry has came out to my home (3) times to document what was damaged and how it happened. As the insurance company sent their adjuster. Later I received a letter stating that they would not pay for any repairs. This was before I met […]
Tali K.Justin was amazing and very attentive to my case. I love the fact they stay in contact with you and you’ll never have to guess what’s going on. I will recommend him to everyone!
Ira F.We felt so distraught and powerless after hurricane Ida with misdirection and misinformation given to us by the insurance industry. Hiring Chopin Law Firm was the best decision we ever made. They help us take back control of the situation and walked us through every step to get a positive outcome. We are now back […]
Sarah N.Thrilled by the results of this firm. After a thorough online search, contacting several and denied, I was referred to Chopin Law Firm. 🙏Very thankful for Chopin Law Firm, specifically my attorney Mr. Phil D. Lorio and his associates, all of whom were very respectful, informative, and honestly settled for more than I ever expected!!! […]
Donovan S.I was very impressed with The Chopin Firm. My lawyer always took my calls, explained everything that was happening and he was a bulldog in the courtroom, which I appreciated. I would definitely refer friends and family.
Maximo B.I want to start this off by saying, when browsing through 30+ firms in my area, I came back to Chopin 3 times before making my final decision. I am very happy that I made that decision. From the initial contact to the end result, Mr. Lorio and the rest of the team were nothing […]
Quentin N.My experience with Justin Chopin was the best experience I’ve had. He and his team Worked hard in my case for years , making sure I was well taken care of. Also help me get the most out of my settlement .
Greg L.My wife was in a car accident (not her fault) and Justin Chopin took our call and case directly. It was a minor accident and ultimately not a big case or even a promise of a big payout. But Justin and his team treated it with what I feel would have been the same rigor, […]
Cooper J.Justin Chopin provides exceptional client service and keeps his clients in the loop at all times. This is hard to find in a law firm.
Steven P.This guy is amazing! Highly recommend! Probably one of the smartest people I know.
Fred B.He is friendly; personable; easy to get along with; and he gets the job done
Kelly B. R.5 stars Great team, thanks for everything.
Spynn D.Adam Sanderson at Chopin Law Firm exceeded my expectations. My settlement was double my initial expectations. He communicated with me every step of the way and let me know what to expect for each proceeding. Adam responded promptly every time I reached out to him. It was obvious how diligently he worked on my case […]
Claire Z J.This whole firm did a great job any question you needed to ask was answered very quickly They were all business didn’t take any crap for the other attorney. I would take this law firm over Morris Bart and Gordon McKernan Trust me this is the law firm you can trust to get the job […]
Pat L.The Chopin Law Firm did a great job for me! When I was unable to get my insurance company to pay for the damage to my home due to a storm, they came through for me! They are an awesome firm! I would recommend them to anyone needing help!
Don W.The Chopin Law Firm LLC is the best personal injury law firm to work with when going through the adversities that come with being injured, trying to recover, and survive. From our first meeting, the entire staff that I met (including Michael (Mike) Letourneau, Justin Chopin, Richard Chopin, and Brenna Martin) were very welcoming, knowledgeable, […]
Sanders C. S.The Chopin Law Firm is comprised of some of the best lawyers I have ever encountered. I have worked with each of the lawyers on individual matters and the results have been beyond my expectations.
Keegan C.My company U.S. Gold and Silver, Inc. used the Chopin law Firm. They were very professional at all times. They kept me in the loop throughout the process. I was amazed at how quickly they were able to settle my case. I would “highly” recommend this firm to anyone who wants good representation and keeps […]
J. Rainer, CEO of U.S. Gold and Silver, Inc.I was anxious calling initially, as are most people when they need to call a lawyer, but as soon I talked to Justin about my case, I felt at ease. I was involved in an auto incident. In short form, Justin worked diligently to get a favorable outcome under the circumstances we had to work […]
Former ClientI was very pleased with the services provided to my mother and I by Justin Chopin. He was very responsive, and we felt that he had our best interests at heart.
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