New York Attorneys Who Work on Cases Related to Coronavirus Pandemic in NYC

The COVID-19 pandemic developed rapidly in March 2020, impacting virtually every business industry in unforeseeable ways, and the daily way of life for New Yorkers. Local federal government orders to quarantine and close non-essential businesses have disrupted business and made the performance of contract actions illegal. For people dealing with domestic violence or toxic relationships, stay-at-home orders create a very difficult and emotionally challenging situation.

Mental hospital patients found themselves detained against their will. For those forced to stay home in close quarters with someone in a strained relationship coupled with financial strain of unemployment, added stress led to episodes of violence and abuse. Like the virus itself, the impacts of COVID-19 are widespread and continue to spread. Bukh Law is here to help, we are handling all legal matters during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

Involuntary Detention:

Involuntary admission to the hospital is typically reserved for people with a mental illness, a significant intellectual disability, or severe dementia. We can assist people who have been detained at mental hospitals against their will, without court order, and contracted COVID-19. Psychiatry units at hospitals are not built to have infection control and protective gear may not be available, leaving patients and caregivers incredibly vulnerable.

Unlawful Exposure:

Medical professionals having to work in pop-up hospitals without protective equipment and are being asked to put their own health at risk to help others. The outbreak has caused local, state and federal governments to take immediate action and some unchartered measures, including asking registered nurses and other health care workers to enlist to combat the disease. Bukh Law attorneys are actively investigating areas of potential legal relief for those harmed by the coronavirus.

Habeas Corpus:

Habeas corpus is the constitutional right to appear before a judge after arrest and ask for release before trial.  At the time of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Justice Department asked Congress for the ability to ask chief judges to detain people indefinitely after arrest without trial during emergencies, as well as suspend statute of limitations on criminal investigations and civil proceedings.  Although this request was unlikely to be passed through the Democratic led House,  it was an indicator of the dire situation in New York City during the pandemics. Judges have been urged to avoid conducting hearings, so trials have been delayed and prosecution of low-level crimes suspended. People arrested may not see a judge quickly.

Felony Charges:

From March 16th to March 22th 2020, crime in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles all dipped, attributable to stay at home orders and people being confined to their homes. Burglaries were also expected to decrease with much more people being home. Courts in New York City stated during the global pandemic and while stay at home orders were in effect, only felonies would be prosecuted, with a motion to continue arraignment for 30 days. If you are facing felony charges in New York City during the COVID-19 global pandemic, Bukh Law attorneys are here for you.  Call us for more information about retainer fees for your case.

Unlawful termination:

During the COVID-19 global pandemic, jobs will be lost as a result of economic necessity. It is not illegal for your employer to terminate you or lay you off for this  medical necessity, but you cannot be fired for having to take time off to care for a family member or for any other discriminatory reason. If you are terminated and your termination is a violation of employment laws, you may have rights to compensation.

Immigration/Deportation Cases:

People who are being deported from the United States are testing positive for Coronavirus. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has already begun releasing detainees who are vulnerable to the coronavirus. If a loved one is detained, we may be able to help with an emergency petition

Orders of Protection:

If you are facing a domestic situation and feel you need a stay away order, contact Bukh Law. Our team has many years of experience handling these matters and additional issues that may arise. To get a restraining order, you do not need to file a criminal court complaint, seek an arrest, or meet with the police or District Attorney. New York’s Family Court Act allows you to obtain an order of protection, if your former spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend, parent, sibling or relative by blood or marriage either harasses you or commits an offense that violates the Family Court Act, you can get a limited or full order of protection. This may require them to:

• Move out of your home
• Stay away from you
• Stay away from your children

• Pay child support
• Follow custody orders
• Not carry a gun.

To start this proceeding, you need to fill out and file a form called a Family Offense Petition, which is a three page document explaining where you and the respondent reside, the nature of your relationship, and what offenses the respondent committed ( such as disorderly conduct, stalking, attempted assault, identity theft, or many other possible offenses). This form is similar to questions a police officer would ask you when filing a police report.

If you are interested in moving forward with an order of protection, it is wise to consult with an attorney at this point. At Bukh Law, we have experience putting these together and can greatly increase your chances of getting your order of protection request granted. If you fill it out incorrectly, or fail to include prior abuse, you may not be able to later admit it to the record. Whether you are petitioning a protection order request or responding to one, an experienced and skilled lawyer is critical  to protecting your rights and interests.

Breach of Contract:

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic has disrupted and altered almost every aspect of life, from daily business operations to weddings to constructions to filming. Global supply chains have been disrupted. We’ve never seen a disruption of commercial activities and international trade like this before. With social distancing guidelines and a ban on gatherings of groups, many questions have been raised about how the virus affects business contracts and agreements.  Because many businesses are facing uncertain futures, it is understandable that many people do not want to move forward with plans and contracts, while at the same time, those cancellations are financially devastating.

It can be certain that going forward, small print in business contracts will include language for epidemics, pandemics and quarantines. However for contracts already signed, if the coronavirus renders a party unable to perform contractual duties, is relief available?  While postponing and rescheduling may be an option for some agreements, for others, cancellations with no rebookings will need to be made. This may involve negotiation with opposing parties and in some cases, litigation. In these uncertain times, a skilled New York breach of contract lawyer is essential in reaching a positive outcome.

Brooklyn breach of contract attorneys at Bukh law handle Coronavirus breach of contract disputes and negotiations arising from all types of contracts, including:

• Buy/Sell agreements
• Collection matters
• Commercial lease disputes
• Confidentiality agreements
• Confidentiality violations
• Construction law disputes
• Employer/Employee agreements
• General and subcontractors’ rights
• Insurance disputes
• Internal separations and disputes
• Landlord/Tenant disputes
• Licensing violations

• Mechanic’s liens statutory framework
• Non-compete agreements
• Non-compete violations
• Partnership agreements
• Partnership disputes
• Proposal requests
• Real estate
• Restrictive covenant violations
• Shareholder disputes
• Stock option agreements
• Structured loan and financing.

The Bukh Law Firm handles COVID-19 related contract disputes and negotiations in Brooklyn and New York involving all types of industries and businesses including construction, real estate, hotel / hospitality, finance and banking services, technology, telecommunications, restaurant and food services, wholesale and retail sales.

Video Consultations and Virtual Meetings are Available

No matter what your legal issue is, we will strive to be both cost effective and results oriented, keeping our clients goals and budget in mind.  Bukh Law Firm remains fully operational during the COVID-19 global pandemic. We are practicing social distancing and using available technologies for telephone and video conferences. Call us at 917-730-9515 to schedule an appointment.