Meatpackers Test Anonymity Boundaries in Covid-19 Lawsuits

Coronavirus infections in the workplace are already spurring litigation, with some employees in virus hotspots like meatpacking plants choosing to proceed anonymously for fear of retaliation. But Jane and John Doe cases filed across industries present challenges for employers who many not have access to the information they need if a worker remains unnamed.

Virus Hotspots: At least 115 meat and poultry processing facilities across 19 states have reported Covid-19 cases among workers. Among approximately 130,000 workers at these facilities, 20 deaths have occurred as of May 1, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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