Paynter Law: Fighting for Businesses Affected by COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic left countless businesses reeling from mandatory government shutdowns, reduced revenue, and unprecedented uncertainty. Many turned to their insurance policies for relief, only to face unjust denials from insurance companies claiming their losses weren’t covered. At Paynter Law, we’ve taken a stand against these denials, achieving a groundbreaking victory that sets a new precedent for businesses nationwide.

In a first-of-its-kind case, Paynter Law secured a unanimous ruling from the North Carolina Supreme Court, which held that The Cincinnati Insurance Company must pay business interruption coverage to 16 restaurant plaintiffs for losses caused by COVID-19-related shutdown orders. This landmark decision is the first in the nation to require an insurance company to cover such losses, providing a powerful win for policyholders still recovering from the economic fallout of the pandemic.

The plaintiffs in this case are 16 renowned North Carolina restaurants, including Vin Rouge, Parizade, Mateo Bar de Tapas, and Saint James Seafood. These establishments, owned by celebrated chefs and restaurateurs, have long been pillars of the region’s culinary scene. Their ability to recover from the pandemic’s devastation was tied to the protection promised by their insurance policies—protection they were initially denied. Paynter Law fought tirelessly on their behalf, demonstrating that the phrase “direct physical loss” in their business interruption policies includes the loss of use of their properties during the shutdowns.

The NC Supreme Court’s opinion reinforced the “common-sense expectation” that insurance policies should safeguard businesses from threats rendering their properties unusable. This victory affirms the rights of policyholders and sends a strong message to insurers attempting to avoid their obligations.

With offices in North Carolina and Washington, D.C., Paynter Law specializes in high-stakes litigation, including insurance disputes, class actions, and complex commercial cases. Our team has the experience and determination to take on the toughest challenges, ensuring that businesses receive the compensation they deserve.

If your business suffered losses during the pandemic and your insurance company denied your claim, you don’t have to face this battle alone. Contact Paynter Law today for a free case review. Let us fight for the justice and compensation your business deserves.