COVID-19 cases are on the rise—not just medical cases, but legal ones as well. The failure to take quick, common-sense action to stem this rise will only worsen the economic havoc that the COVID-19 pandemic has already wrought on the American economy.

The number of lawsuits alleging violation of labor and employment laws in relation to COVID-19 continues to grow, with close to 500 suits filed to date. The number of complaints doubled from April to May and rose by an additional 50% in June. Then July saw even more filings than June. And these numbers do not include the thousands of cases that have been filed under tort and personal injury laws alleging exposure to the virus itself.

The U.S. Senate's Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act wisely includes protections for business owners from this rising tide of lawsuits. Passage is vital to economic recovery and the long-term health of the American economy.