These are challenging times for everyone, not least business owners. This is true regardless of the size and scope of your business.
I’m not promising any easy solutions; beware of anyone who does.
However, I am here to help any way I can. Over the last few weeks I’ve spoken with clients regarding:
- Interpreting force majeure terms in contracts, including commercial leases. These clauses will continue to come into play as businesses evaluate their legal obligations, particularly businesses whose doors are temporarily shut due to government mandate.
- Business loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). More information can be found at this link.
- Employment issues, from furloughs and layoffs to eligibility for unemployment benefits. For example, under the stimulus bill that was passed on Friday March 27, qualifying self-employed people are now eligible for unemployment benefits.
- Insurance matters, from business interruption insurance to obligation to pay continued worker’s compensation when a business has furloughed or laid off all of its workers.
For small businesses based in San Diego, the City has established a Small Business Relief Fund to provide grants and forgivable or low- to zero-interest-rate loans to eligible small businesses for working capital. More information can be found at this link.
I hope this information is helpful. If there’s anything I can do to help you or your business navigate through this crisis, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
