Spreading Coronavirus: Crime? (LegalEagle’s Real Law Review)

TL;DR

People intentionally spreading COVID-19 through acts like coughing, spitting, or tampering with products can face legal consequences, including charges of assault, battery, terroristic threats, and even terrorism offenses.

Transcript

• Thanks to ExpressVPN for keeping Legal Eagle safe and in the air. Despite the dire situation that the world is experiencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, some people just have to be jerks, like this guy, Larz, a California, quote, "influencer" who thought it would be cute to lick a toilet and dub it the coronavirus challenge. - Coronavirus ch... Read More

Key Insights

• 🈂️ Intentionally spreading diseases like COVID-19 can result in both criminal charges and personal injury lawsuits.
• 🧑‍🏭 Assault and battery laws can apply to acts like coughing, spitting, or tampering with products that intentionally expose others to the virus.
• 👮 State laws on terroristic threats and infectious diseases address deliberate exposure.
• 🇦🇬 Federal anti-terrorism statutes may be used to prosecute individuals who purposefully infect others with COVID-19.
• 🥺 Breaking quarantine and isolation orders can lead to liability for damages caused by the spread of the virus.
• 🏃 Negligence per se provides automatic liability when a person breaks the law and causes harm as a result.
• 🈂️ There are historical examples of criminal charges related to deliberately spreading infectious diseases.

Questions & Answers

Q: What legal offenses can people be charged with if they intentionally spread COVID-19?

People can face charges of assault, battery, terroristic threats, and even terrorism offenses if they deliberately cough, spit, tamper with products, or engage in other acts to expose others to COVID-19.

Q: Can someone be sued for intentionally infecting others with COVID-19?

Yes, intentional exposure to the virus can lead to personal injury lawsuits based on negligence per se, where breaking the law results in automatic liability for damages caused to others.

Q: Are there federal laws that could apply to intentionally spreading COVID-19?

Federal terrorism statutes, such as 18 U.S.C. 2332, could be used to prosecute individuals who purposely expose or infect others with COVID-19 as a weapon of mass destruction or biological agent.

Q: Can people be held liable for breaking quarantine and isolation orders?

Apart from potential criminal liability, individuals who defy quarantine and isolation orders could be sued for damages caused by their actions under negligence per se, if they violate specific laws and their conduct leads to others getting sick.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Intentionally spreading a disease like COVID-19 can result in criminal charges such as assault and battery, as well as personal injury lawsuits.

• Acts such as coughing or spitting on others, contaminated food, or tampering with products may be considered offensive contacts or threats, punishable by law.

• State terroristic threats and specific infectious disease laws can be used to prosecute individuals who knowingly expose others to the virus.