Every day, there is a new story about Ebola in the media. While some commentators suggest that the threat of Ebola in the United States is overblown - and we hope they are right - now is still the time for all businesses to review their insurance policies to understand what insurance coverage, if any, they may have available should an Ebola-related liability and/or loss occur.
Potential for Ebola-related liability and loss is not just limited to hospitals or other medical institutions. Recent news stories have demonstrated the breadth of the potential impact of the Ebola crisis: It has affected not just health-care workers but also the airline industry, the chocolate industry, an Ohio university, a cruise ship sailing in the Caribbean, and others.
In considering potential coverage for such liabilities and losses – and when seeking coverage should such a liability or loss occur – businesses will want to carefully consider all of their insurance policies, including, but not limited, to commercial general liability policies, professional liability policies, commercial property policies, and directors' and officers' policies. The availability of coverage will depend not just on the specific facts of a business' situation, but on the specific language contained in their insurance policies.
This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.