How to Identify and React to Fraud in the COVID-19 Era
Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC, May 2020

As we have learned through our ghosts of recessions past, the vast majority of those who become unable to pay their debts in economic downturns are honest, but unfortunate, debtors. That said, we also have learned that an appreciable number of debtors start taking drastic measures to preserve their assets and associated lifestyles during these times, sometimes engaging in a shell game designed to conceal or otherwise understate their assets when creditors start knocking on their door. As we anticipate a wide-ranging economic recession stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, we can expect more of the same in the coming months...

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Subchapter V and the Single Asset Real Estate Debtor in a COVID-19 World
Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC, May 2020

Over a year ago, Congress amended the Bankruptcy Code to create Subchapter V, with the intent of encouraging small businesses (defined as those with less than $2,725,625.00 in debt) to file reorganization plans more often by saving certain costs of a routine Chapter 11. Congress then passed the CARES Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, raising the debt limit to $7,500,000.00. Though these new laws are intended to streamline small business bankruptcy cases, we openly question whether the target audience--those impacted most immediately by the pandemic--will even qualify.   In particular, the interplay of 11 U.S.C...

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Top 10 Bankruptcy Truths for Creditors to Know
Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC, May 2020

Much of the bankruptcy chatter arising from the pandemic world in which we find ourselves is now focusing on the cascade of new bankruptcy cases that are predicted to arrive soon. We have already seen the effects of closed stores and no foot traffic on some of the big names in retail (J.C. Penney, J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, Pier 1, etc.), but many consumer cases are sure to follow, the result of the staggering number of layoffs and lost jobs that the pandemic has caused. Now seems an appropriate time to remind creditors of certain bankruptcy principles to keep in mind.   The automatic stay is, well, automatic...

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Unprecedented: COVID-19 Litigation Trends, Issue 8
Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC, May 2020

This eighth edition of Unprecedented, our weekly update on COVID-19-related litigation, follows what we hope was a restful and meaningful Memorial Day weekend. For the third week in a row, shutdown challenges, workers' compensation claims, and wrongful death lawsuits have dominated the news cycle. But, we are also seeing a continuation in refund claims and an uptick in fraud claims involving everything from alleged misuse of sick days to corporate press releases. And once again, we expect workers' compensation claims and personal injury claims to pick up now that parts of America have reopened and the remaining parts are following...

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“Opening Up”: Don’t Forget About Resident Rights as you Reopen
Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC, May 2020

The curve has flattened, and all fifty states are at least partially reopened. This raises a number of questions about how your facility should proceed with reopening while continuing to protect not only your residents' health, but also their rights. Both failing to meet recommended guidelines and exceeding the guidelines can leave your facility vulnerable for future governmental action and lawsuits. This article is designed to help your facility navigate the reopening and construct a plan that balances residents' safety and residents' rights.   Protecting residents is a nursing home’s ultimate duty...

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