Perimeter Solutions, L.P. v. Fortress North America, L.L.C.

**Court Rules Against Company's COVID-19 Insurance Claim** This case involved a dispute between Perimeter Solutions and their insurance company, Pacific Employers Insurance Company. Perimeter Solutions filed a claim seeking coverage for business losses they suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company argued that the presence of coronavirus particles on their property constituted physical damage that should be covered under their insurance policy. The court sided with the insurance company and dismissed the case. The judge ruled that COVID-19 virus particles do not qualify as "direct physical loss or damage to property" under Indiana law. The court found that the mere presence of microscopic virus particles does not constitute the kind of physical alteration or damage that insurance policies typically cover. **What This Means for Workers:** This ruling affects workers whose employers might seek insurance coverage for pandemic-related business disruptions. When companies cannot recover these costs through insurance, they may be more likely to implement cost-cutting measures like layoffs, reduced hours, or benefit cuts to manage financial losses. Workers should understand that many standard business insurance policies may not cover pandemic-related closures or safety measures, which could impact their job security during future health emergencies.