Business Law - The Indiana Lawyer

Interrupted coverage: In tangle over insurance terms, businesses’ and nonprofits’ COVID interruption claims being denied

February 17, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

Since the COVID-19 public health emergency began in March 2020, businesses and nonprofits nationwide have had business interruption claims denied. The COVID Coverage Litigation Tracker at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School reported 1,099 federal lawsuits seeking insurance coverage because of the pandemic had been filed as of Jan. 25. To date, courts have granted insurers’ motions to dismiss in 147 cases and insurers motions for summary judgment in seven lawsuits, according to CCLT. Policyholders have scored a few victories with the courts denying the motions to dismiss in 29 lawsuits and granting the plaintiffs’ motions for summary judgment in five cases.

COVID-19 lawsuit immunity bill heads to Holcomb

February 16, 2021 | Lindsey Erdody, Indianapolis Business Journal

Legislation that aims to protect businesses from COVID-19-related lawsuits is heading to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk.

Splenda maker sues Speedway chain over knockoff sweetener

February 12, 2021 | Susan Orr, Indianapolis Business Journal

The Carmel-based maker of Splenda sweetener is suing the convenience store chain Speedway LLC for trademark infringement, alleging the retailer offers its customers a knockoff sweetener in yellow packets that look too much like Splenda’s packaging.

60 executives urge lawmakers to resist ‘heavy-handed limits’ on Indianapolis government

February 11, 2021 | Lindsey Erdody, Indianapolis Business Journal

Sixty business and not-for-profit executives are publicly criticizing the Republican-controlled General Assembly for action on multiple bills that would strip control away from Indianapolis city government.

House panel advances pregnancy accommodations bill with virtually no mandates

February 9, 2021 | Lindsey Erdody, Indianapolis Business Journal

Indiana lawmakers are moving forward with a pregnancy accommodations bill that won’t require businesses to make any adjustments for workers. Some legislators advocated for a measure that they said would offer pregnant workers more meaningful protections.

Fowl investment gone foul leads to reversal at COA

February 4, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Despite ruffled feathers among parties involved in a bird investment project, a nearly $40,000 judgment for the investor has been reversed after a split Indiana Court of Appeals determined the trial court applied the wrong law in awarding relief.

Taking a stand for lemonade

February 3, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

A bill in the 2021 Indiana General Assembly would make clear that lemonade stands are legal in the Hoosier state, thanks to two LaPorte boys who wanted to tackle an issue near to their hearts.

Ownership fight could leave new Gary casino empty

February 2, 2021 | Associated Press and IL Staff

The legal fight over ownership of a new $300 million casino in northwestern Indiana could leave it sitting unused for possibly months after construction work is completed.

Indiana House approves COVID-19 liability protection bill

February 2, 2021 | Lindsey Erdody, Indianapolis Business Journal

The Indiana House has approved legislation that would protect businesses from COVID-19-related lawsuits. The measure slightly differs from a liability protection measure passed last week by the state Senate.

Anthem paying $594M to settle antitrust litigation, but deal terms might fuel growth

February 1, 2021 | Greg Andrews, Indianapolis Business Journal and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

Some investment analysts and health care observers say changes to Blue Cross Blue Shield rules that are stipulated in a half-billion-dollar settlement are so favorable to Indianapolis-based Anthem’s growth prospects that they view the deal as a huge win for the company.

Justices rule for company in dispute with ex-officer over share value

January 28, 2021 | Olivia Covington

A dispute over the valuation of shares has been resolved in favor of a company after the Indiana Supreme Court upheld the discounts that were applied to the valuation. The former company partner who sued previously won a Court of Appeals ruling that increased the value of his shares by more than $1 million.

Holcomb relaxing coronavirus limits on crowd sizes

January 28, 2021 | Associated Press

Indiana’s crowd size limits will be relaxed starting next week after recent improvements in the statewide COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates, the governor announced Wednesday.

Revamped bill would severely limit government’s ability to restrict business, church operations

January 26, 2021 | Lindsey Erdody, Indianapolis Business Journal

A Republican lawmaker is seeking to severely limit the restrictions that state and local governments can impose on businesses and churches as COVID-19 continues to spread across Indiana.

COA rules against gun range owners despite officials’ failure to take oaths

January 22, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Though certain Jefferson County officials failed to take their oaths of office, that failure does not invalidate the officials’ zoning complaint against a local couple, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.

Indiana Senate committee advances COVID-19 legal immunity bill

January 14, 2021 | Lindsey Erdody, Indianapolis Business Journal

State lawmakers have advanced a bill that would protect individuals and businesses from COVID-19-related lawsuits. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday afternoon moved Senate Bill 1 to the Senate floor for consideration.

COVID immunity bill garners support, but concerns raised about overly broad language

January 7, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Legislation meant to shield Indiana businesses and individuals from COVID-related liability was met with a groundswell of support on Wednesday, though some raised concerns that the language of the bill could have unintended legal consequences.

Punch Bowl Social restaurant chain files for bankruptcy

December 23, 2020 | Susan Orr, Indianapolis Business Journal

The restaurant-and-entertainment chain Punch Bowl Social, whose Indianapolis location at 120 S. Meridian St. in Circle Centre mall has been closed since the start of the pandemic, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.

Indiana commercial courts branching out

December 23, 2020 | Olivia Covington

Indiana’s commercial court docket is expanding for the first time, with four new venues opening in 2021. Hamilton, Madison, St. Joseph and Vigo counties will join Allen, Elkhart, Floyd, Lake, Marion and Vanderburgh counties in offering the specialized business dockets.

AG Hill sues Nevada company for fraudulent sale of 3M masks

December 11, 2020 | Olivia Covington

A Nevada company already facing a federal lawsuit in Indiana for efforts to defraud the state into buying respiratory masks the company didn’t have access to is now facing a state-court complaint brought by the Indiana attorney general.

COA reversal awards Carmel pizzeria owner $197K, potential treble damages

December 10, 2020 | Katie Stancombe

A panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed a judgment against a Hamilton County pizzeria company’s owner after finding the trial court erred in concluding that he failed to establish money damages for his partners’ acts of forgery and counterfeiting related to the business, among other things, awarding more than $197,000 in damages and over $21,000 in legal fees.

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