Crops, Livestock, and COVID-19, Oh My: An Overview Of Potential Covid-19 Liability In Agricultural Operations

Abstract

The year 2020 presented a new potential risk of which many business owners, including agricultural operators, were unaware: a global pandemic related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, also known as COVID-19. Starting in March 2020, the United States worked to contain this virus, while businesses sought to protect their workers (who had to continue working to work) as well as their customers. At the same time, a number of businesses had concerns about how to limit liability from customers arguing later that the business had spread the virus. This Article explores the potential liability agricultural operations face and ways to manage the risks associated with COVID-19. Part II looks at what the virus is. Part III explores potential liability, and Part IV details potential methods to manage and limit that liability. Part V concludes.