Civil disputes as a consequence of COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly brought and has still been bringing a number of changes to national legal regimes concerning civil disputes. In addition to the tremendous increase in the number of civil disputes, there are also specific legal areas in which these disputes arise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The most common civil disputes arising from such circumstances concern employment relationships, cancelled travel arrangements, delays in fulfilling contractual obligations, but also compensation for damage caused by the COVID-19 infection. Various frameworks in which infection with COVID-19 can occur, such as organized trips, visits to restaurants, large events, but also visits to hospitals due to medical treatment require an attempt to respond on issues of potential claims for compensation for damage resulting from failure to act. However, the focus of our attention is on cases of compensation for damage suffered due to corona virus infection. In addition, it is interesting and challenging to focus on a group action (ger. Sammelklage) lawsuit for COVID-19 infection in the Austrian ski resort of Ischgl.