--- title: Restaurant COVID Lawsuit to Continue description: As many businesses begin to return to normal, some have launched litigation against their insurance companies for damages incurred by the pandemic image: https://blog.axisins.com/hubfs/Front%20of%20an%20old%20greek%20or%20roman%20style%20law%20building.jpeg --- [![AxisInsurance](https://blog.axisins.com/hubfs/files_2023/logo.png)](https://www.axisins.com/) Connect with us Call us Today [(201) 847-9175](tel:2018479175) [(877) 787-5258](tel:8777875258) - - About Axis - [Our Approach](https://www.axisins.com/about-us/) - [Our Team](https://www.axisins.com/our-team/) - [Testimonials](https://www.axisins.com/testimonials/) - [Case Studies](https://www.axisins.com/case-studies/) - [News & Events](https://blog.axisins.com/tag/news-and-events) - [Careers](https://www.axisins.com/job-opportunities/) - Product Lines - [Overview](https://www.axisins.com/products/) - [On-line Quoting](https://www.axisins.com/products/on-line-quoting/) - [Surety Bonds](https://www.axisins.com/products/surety-bonds/) - [Cyber Liability/Privacy & Network Security](https://www.axisins.com/products/cyber-liability-privacy-network-security/) - [Overview](https://www.axisins.com/products/cyber-liability-privacy-network-security/) - [Tail Coverage Insurance](https://www.axisins.com/products/tail-coverage-insurance/) - [Why Cyber Liability](https://www.axisins.com/products/cyber-liability-privacy-network-security/why-cyber-liability/) - [Cyber Hotline/Resources](https://www.axisins.com/products/cyber-liability-privacy-network-security/cyber-hotline-resources/) - [Claims Scenarios](https://www.axisins.com/products/cyber-liability-privacy-network-security/claims-scenarios/) - [Professional Liability Insurance (E&O)](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/) - [Overview](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/) - [Tail Coverage Insurance](https://www.axisins.com/products/tail-coverage-insurance/) - [Professions](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/professions/) - [Insurance](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/insurance-agents-brokers/) - [Legal](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/legal/) - [Real Estate](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/real-estate-agents-brokers/) - [Technology](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/technology/) - [Healthcare/Medical](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/healthcare-medical-practice/) - [Architects & Engineers](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/architects-engineers/) - [Financial Institutions](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/financial-institutions/) - [Construction](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/construction/) - [Consulting](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/consulting/) - [Media](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/media/) - [Mortgage Bankers & Brokers](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/mortgage-bankers-brokers/) - [Miscellaneous Services](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/miscellaneous-services/) - [Resources](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/resources/) - [Claims Scenarios](https://www.axisins.com/products/errors-omissions-professional-liability-insurance/claims-scenarios/) - [Management Liability Insurance (D&O)](https://www.axisins.com/products/management-liability-insurance-do/) - [Overview](https://www.axisins.com/products/management-liability-insurance-do/) - [Tail Coverage Insurance](https://www.axisins.com/products/tail-coverage-insurance/) - [Claims Scenarios](https://www.axisins.com/products/management-liability-insurance-do/claims-scenarios/) - [Resources](https://www.axisins.com/products/management-liability-insurance-do/resources/) - [Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://www.axisins.com/products/employment-practices-liability-insurance/) - [Overview](https://www.axisins.com/products/employment-practices-liability-insurance/) - [Tail Coverage Insurance](https://www.axisins.com/products/tail-coverage-insurance/) - [Claims Scenarios](https://www.axisins.com/products/employment-practices-liability-insurance/claims-scenarios/) - [Resources](https://www.axisins.com/products/employment-practices-liability-insurance/resources/) - [Crime Insurance](https://www.axisins.com/products/crime-insurance/) - [Overview](https://www.axisins.com/products/crime-insurance/) - [Claims Scenarios](https://www.axisins.com/products/crime-insurance/claims-scenarios/) - [Resources](https://www.axisins.com/products/crime-insurance/resources/) - [Fiduciary Liability](https://www.axisins.com/products/fiduciary-liability/) - [Overview](https://www.axisins.com/products/fiduciary-liability/) - [Claims Scenarios](https://www.axisins.com/products/fiduciary-liability/claims-scenarios/) - [Resources](https://www.axisins.com/products/fiduciary-liability/resources/) - [FAQs](https://www.axisins.com/faqs/) - Client Resources - [Make a Payment](https://axisins.epaypolicy.com/) - [Apps & Forms](https://www.axisins.com/client-resources/apps-forms/) - [Report A Claim](https://www.axisins.com/client-resources/report-a-claim/) - [Request A Certificate of Insurance](https://www.axisins.com/client-resources/request-a-certificate-of-insurance/) - [Blog](https://blog.axisins.com/) - [Contact Us](https://www.axisins.com/contact-us/) -   CALL US TODAY [(877) 787-5258](tel:8777875258) ## Keeping you up to date on trends, emerging exposures and other critical issues. [Subscribe To Our Blog](https://share.hsforms.com/18qZLml0MTSqtYWBFqQFAGA35dv4?__hstc=172306556.605fbd816f522e1de3e9428cb969d5b4.1580877711545.1580973215492.1580978435349.10&__hssc=172306556.3.1580978435349&__hsfp=1035641285) # Restaurant COVID Lawsuit to Continue July 1, 2021 ![](https://blog.axisins.com/hubfs/Front%20of%20an%20old%20greek%20or%20roman%20style%20law%20building.jpeg) Drew Smith   As many businesses begin to return to normal, some have launched litigation against their insurance companies for damages incurred by the pandemic. Many of these are based on lost of income and closures resulting from the state-imposed lockdowns. Each state has taken different views on this issue, but the commonality is that they all center on what constitutes as property damage in a property insurance. In Birmingham Alabama, the court ruled that physical damage does not have to be visible to qualify as property damage in a business interruption claim. In *Serendipitous LLC/Melt, et al v. Cincinnati Insurance Co.* The plaintiffs argued that because of COVID related shutdowns that last for an extended period, they had suffered physical damages. The insurance carrier countered they never identified what was considered damages to the physical restaurant. The Court disagreed with the argument. “The policy language indicates that the insurer understands that an insured may suffer physical loss without physical alteration because the policy excludes from coverage some expenses incurred because of invisible substances like vapor and fumes…Cincinnati could have excluded invisible substances like viruses but did not.”[\[1\]](https://blog.axisins.com/restaurant-covid-lawsuit-to-continue#_ftn1) Alabama’s ruling shows that many states have different interpretations of how COVID losses are being defined. As more states reopen, these lawsuits are expected to continue to grow and each court case will be handled differently. As these cases continue to make their way through the courts, we believe that very slight differences in the polices may affect the outcome. We will keep you posted as further developments arise.   [\[1\]](https://blog.axisins.com/restaurant-covid-lawsuit-to-continue#_ftnref1) Business Insurance June 2021, Page 12, t content here… [What is Federal Fair Mortgage Lending?](https://blog.axisins.com/what-is-federal-fair-mortgage-lending) [Amazon opens up new cyber risk door with Sidewalk](https://blog.axisins.com/amazon-opens-up-new-cyber-risk-door-with-sidewalk) Search ### Share this post [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.axisins.com%2Frestaurant-covid-lawsuit-to-continue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.axisins.com%2Frestaurant-covid-lawsuit-to-continue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.axisins.com%2Frestaurant-covid-lawsuit-to-continue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.axisins.com%2Frestaurant-covid-lawsuit-to-continue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on email](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.axisins.com%2Frestaurant-covid-lawsuit-to-continue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.axisins.com%2Frestaurant-covid-lawsuit-to-continue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Recent Posts ### Categories - [E&O (19)](https://blog.axisins.com/tag/eo) - [Cannabis (11)](https://blog.axisins.com/tag/cannabis) - [Company News (1)](https://blog.axisins.com/tag/company-news) ![AxisInsurance](https://blog.axisins.com/hubfs/files_2023/art2.png) ### Connect to Our Cyber Hotline & Resources [Connect](https://www.axisins.com/products/cyber-liability-privacy-network-security/cyber-hotline-resources/) Please see our [Privacy Policy](https://www.axisins.com/privacy-policy) to understand how Axis Insurance Services handles your personal information. California Residents are entitled to specific rights which can be outlined on our Notice for [California Residents](https://www.axisins.com/california-privacy-policy). You may request information regarding our privacy policy or update your preferences by contacting us directly at 201-847-9175 or by completing the Request for Information on [Privacy form](https://info.axisins.com/axis-request-for-information-on-privacy). ### Schedule a Consultation ### Stay tuned with us on social networks! [![AxisInsurance](https://blog.axisins.com/hubfs/files_2023/logo.png)](https://www.axisins.com/) 795 Franklin Avenue, Suite 210 Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 Phone: [201-847-9175](tel:2018479175) Fax: 201-847-9174 [www.axisins.com](http://www.axisins.com/) ### Quick Navigation - [Home](https://www.axisins.com/) - [About Axis](https://www.axisins.com/about-us/) - [FAQs](https://www.axisins.com/faqs/) - [Blog](https://www.axisins.com/blog/) - [Site Map](https://www.axisins.com/site-map/) - [Contact Us](https://www.axisins.com/contact-us/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.axisins.com/privacy-policy/) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.axisins.com/terms-conditions/) - [Accessibility Statement](https://www.axisins.com/accessibility-statement/) - [State Licenses](https://www.axisins.com/state-licenses/) Copyright ©2022 – 2024, Axis Insurance Services, LLC In California and Texas as NJ Axis Insurance Services, LLC. In Illinois as Axis Insurance Services of New Jersey, LLC. In New York as NJ Axis Insurance Agency New Jersey Corporate License #OP-9948294. California Corporate License #OD-79693. Axis Insurance Services, LLC is not affiliated with Axis Insurance Company, Axis Capital, its subsidiaries, or affiliates in any way.